What Is Reverse Planning in Homeschooling? A Simple Way to Feel More in Control

When I first started homeschooling, I did what every overwhelmed mom does—I made a beautiful, color-coded weekly plan… and then felt crushed when Monday completely imploded and nothing went according to plan. 

We were only able to complete about half of what I had planned, and it affected our relationships as I fought to keep everyone on track with what I had planned for the day. 

It wasn’t long before I realized this wasn’t working. The weekly plan became a point of stress instead of a nice layout to keep us on track. 

That’s when I stumbled on reverse planning, and it completely changed how I homeschool. It saved my sanity during a time when I was questioning if I was cut out for homeschooling, and preserved the focus on connection rather than academics in our home.

Affiliate Note: I only recommend products I’ve personally used and loved or that come highly recommended by trusted fellow homeschoolers. When you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support this blog. Thank you!

So, What Is Reverse Planning?

Reverse planning is exactly what it sounds like: instead of writing down what you plan to do, you write down what you actually did.

No more perfectly structured weekly spreads that get ignored by Tuesday. With reverse planning, you’re simply documenting your learning as it happens—when it happens. Whether it’s a nature walk that led to a spontaneous science conversation, or your kid writing a comic book instead of filling out a worksheet, it counts. You write it down. Boom—done.

Why Reverse Planning Works 

Reverse planning fits beautifully with a relaxed or interest-led approach because it represents the real learning that happens in everyday life. It takes the pressure off trying to “check all the boxes” and helps you actually see the value in what you are doing, even if it doesn’t look traditional.

This short video gives a great explanation of how reverse planning can help you find flexibility and joy in your homeschool. 

Here’s what changed for me when I started reverse planning:

• I stopped feeling like a failure when our day didn’t go “according to plan.”
  
• I became more tuned in to what my kids were naturally curious about.
  
• I felt productive instead of panicked at the end of the day.
  
• I had a record of learning that felt authentic and doable.
  

How to Get Started with Reverse Planning

You don’t need a fancy system. Here’s how I keep it simple:

1. Grab a notebook or planner. (A spiral notebook is plenty for this, but there are some great planners for those who prefer a more organized method)
   
2. At the end of the day (or week), jot down what you actually did.
   Did your kids bake muffins and talk about measurements? Write it down.
   
3. Note anything you want to revisit or build on.
   Think: “Watched a documentary on volcanoes—look up volcano science kit.”
   

That’s it. No pressure. Just a running log of learning that represents your real life.

Here are the unstructured planners I have used the past few years to keep track of our days:

 

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever felt behind, frazzled, or like you just can’t keep up with your own plans—reverse planning might be your new best friend. It helped me see that we were learning, even if it didn’t always look like sitting around a table with a workbook.

So give yourself permission to stop trying to fit your homeschool into a box. Let it unfold. Then write it down.

Because there’s so much beauty in what’s already happening if you just take the time to look for it.

For more encouragement that you’re doing a great job in your homeschool, check out this blog post.