Do you ever feel chained to a rigid curriculum, wondering if you need to check off every subject, every year, just to measure up? You’re not alone—and honestly, it’s time we all rethink what really matters in our homeschools.

In this episode, I’m shaking things up with a (gasp) controversial idea: Not all homeschool subjects are created equal. Yes, I said it, and yes, I’ll die on this hill. The biggest freedom homeschooling gives your family? The power to know the difference between “have to” and “get to”—and use that to make your days a whole lot lighter.

Now, let’s get into it: Why dividing your homeschool subjects into two camps—skills and content—can completely change your life.

What You’ll Learn About Skill Subjects Versus Content Subjects

The two buckets: skill-based vs. content-based—what goes where (and why it matters)
The actual order of importance in your elementary and middle school: Focus on skills, flex on everything else
The myth of the “must-complete” curriculum cycle (and why it sets us up for guilt and burnout)
How to ditch the FOMO, lean into your kids’ curiosity, and build the homeschool YOU actually want
Super-practical tips for planning (or pausing) content studies WITHOUT feeling like you’re slacking off

Listen to the Podcast

The Subject Secret That (Finally) Set My Homeschool Free

Let’s play a game. Raise your hand if you’ve ever pored over a curriculum catalog, panicked that you’re behind in science, history, geography, art, (deep breath)… while your youngest decorates the dog with stickers and your oldest daydreams about mummification. (Just me? Didn’t think so.)

Here’s the truth nobody tells you: Not all homeschool subjects are created equal—and you’re totally allowed to stop treating them like they are. Go ahead, breathe that one in.

I used to think I needed to do “all the things.” Skill subjects. Content subjects. Every subject, every year. I’d tie myself in knots trying to fit everything in—because somewhere along the way, I’d bought into the idea that ticking off every box added up to a real education.

But let’s pull back the curtain, friend: there are only TWO big categories of homeschool subjects, and how you treat them can make or break your sanity.

Camp One: Skill-Based Subjects

These are your non-negotiables. The golden trio: math, phonics, spelling, (with honorary mentions: handwriting and composition). These are the things each kid needs to tackle, mostly at their own speed, and honestly, all they need is a few steady minutes a day.

Think about it: Nobody really jumps into algebra before they can count. Kids learn to read letters before they read Shakespeare. These subjects are sequential, logical, and, by the way, super short at the start. I’m talking 10 minutes of math for your six-year-old. That’s it. No marathon sessions, no tears—just steady, consistent progress.

Camp Two: Content Subjects

Ready for controversy? These are everything else—history, science, read-alouds, fine arts, even literature. And here’s the kicker: There. Is. No. Right. Place. To. Start.

I mean it! You do not have to start history with ancient Egypt or science with “what is a scientist?” unless your kid actually wants to. Want to skip American history in 2nd grade and binge-study dinosaurs for three months straight? Go ahead. Want to skip formal science (or history, or both) for a year while you wrangle a newborn and older kids? DO IT.

We once spent an entire year deep-diving mythology (in high school!) and, guess what? That kid still got a totally legitimate world history credit after we counted up what she learned over the years.

The Mindset Shift

Here’s where it gets spicy: You have. so. much. more. freedom than you think.

Your job for the skill subjects? A handful of consistent, focused minutes, a every day. Done. You’re not “behind,” you’re making real progress. Meanwhile, content subjects are endlessly flexible. They’re for joy, curiosity, and the stuff your kids actually care about—not just checklists.

Worried about skipping a science or history curriculum? I hereby give you official permission, especially if your oldest is under eight or you’re stretched thin. Read good books. Listen to audio stories in the car. Let the toddler nap and the dog enjoy its sticker wardrobe. Nobody is keeping score.

Of course, there are seasons (especially in high school) when a full curriculum makes sense—if your teen cares about AP Chemistry, go for it. But if they love botany or Greek myths, let them binge. It all counts. It all adds up.

OK, Pam—What Do I DO Now?

Separate your subjects into skills and content.
Guard a few precious minutes each day for individual skills (math, reading, writing).
Let the content breath—go deep, go wide, go wherever your family wants.
If life gets nuts, drop the content for a season. The world will keep spinning.
Refuse to be a slave to the “full curriculum for everybody, every year” mindset.

Final Permission Slip

You didn’t sign up to homeschool so you could micromanage lesson plans and lose sleep over unfinished units. You did it for connection, creativity, freedom, and peace. Treat your subjects accordingly.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read?):

Skill subjects: few consistent minutes a day, every kid at their level.
Content subjects: do what you love, skip what you don’t, follow interests, drop them when life requires it.
You’re the boss, Mama.

Ready for homeschooling that finally feels doable (and maybe even a little magical)? Start dividing, start ditching the guilt, and watch what grows.

Download our free homeschool planning forms.

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About
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Pam

Pam is the author of The Your Morning Basket Guide and Plan Your Year: Homeschool Planning for Purpose and Peace. She also is the host of three popular podcasts -- The Homeschool Snapshots Podcast, Your Morning Basket, and The Homeschool Solutions Show. She lives in the Deep South with her husband and three kids, where she is the go-to lady for great curriculum recommendations or a just a pep talk on a rough day.