Marilee’s End-of-Summer Reset: How I Prep for a New Homeschool Year

Summer has a way of flying by around here. Between road trips, projects, dirt under everyone’s nails, and the sound of volleyballs, zip lines, and “Mom, come look at this!” echoing through the backyard, I feel like I blink and it’s time to start prepping for homeschool again.

But I’m going to tell you a secret… I actually love this time of year. When August rolls in, I find myself craving a fresh start—not just for the house, but for our hearts, rhythms, and routines. 

Today, I’m sharing a peek behind the curtain at what that end-of-summer reset looks like for the Johnson family. Hopefully, this post can provide some inspiration and encouragement as you prepare for your own season ahead. 

Back-to-School Deep Cleaning for Homeschool Moms

Every August, before we even think about cracking open the books, I go on a major deep cleaning spree. You've heard of spring cleaning? That’s child’s play compared to this.

Summer leaves our house in a whirlwind of mud-stained clothes, half-unpacked camping gear, and corners covered in forgotten water bottles. Before I can even mentally get into homeschool mode, I need to clear the physical clutter. I need my space (and my brain) to breathe again.

I start with my office and paperwork—because if my desk is chaos, my brain is too. Then, I move to the kids’ rooms. Bedding gets washed, clothes get sorted, and everything gets a reset. 

After that, it’s the living room (under the couch cushions always tells a story), kitchen drawers, bookshelves, laundry room, entryway... and yes, even the yard. By the time it’s all done, I feel ten pounds lighter. And that’s before we’ve even hit the first lesson plan!

Get the Kids Involved in Your End-of-Summer Reset Routine

One of the biggest blessings of homeschooling is that learning happens everywhere, and the same goes for preparing.

The little ones help me clean their rooms, dust shelves, and tidy up their spaces. The older kids are in charge of their own areas, and then I sit down with each of them for a little “vision time.” 

I love hearing what they loved most about summer, how they’ve grown, and what they’re excited to learn in the months ahead. This one-on-one time is honestly my favorite part of the reset, and I’d recommend it to any parents looking for a sweet way to close out the season.

It reminds me that each of my children is on their own journey, and part of my job is simply to listen and help guide that journey forward. Summer often brings out so much independence and creativity, but it's nice to bring it back home.

Creating a Peaceful, Nontoxic Homeschool Environment

I used to be the mom who decorated for every season. Pumpkins in the fall, red berries in the winter, beachy blues in the summer.

While I still love all that decorating fun, I’ve simplified over the years. These days, I need more wide-open spaces, clean lines, and less clutter to feel ready for all that's ahead.

Now, refreshing our home for fall doesn’t mean pulling out bins of seasonal decor. 

It means watering the plants, dusting the shelves, rearranging my favorite vintage finds, and maybe adding a new vase or muted floral to bring in a seasonal shift.

It’s less about adding and more about noticing. I love making small tweaks to help our home feel fresh and peaceful, but still warm and lived-in. 

Transitioning from Summer Fun to Fall Homeschooling

Summer nights run late around here. With daylight stretching until nearly 10 p.m., bedtime becomes more of a suggestion than a rule. And I’m okay with that for the school-free season. But as the days shorten, we know it’s time to gently rein things in.

The first shift? Sleep. I start encouraging earlier bedtimes so we can wake up together again at a reasonable hour, eat meals around the table, and reestablish a little rhythm. Nothing rigid, just a realistic expectation to help us adjust to the new school year. 

I’ve learned that easing back into structure without making it a sudden jolt is the key to reducing stress (for me and the kids). And it starts with one small, holy word: rest. We fight for it. We protect it. Because when we're rested, everything else flows better.

As I think about this year’s reset, I’m also giving myself permission not to run a tight schedule. Even more so in this season of still grieving and finding our way one day at a time, it can be hard to press and push. 

Instead, I’m looking forward to some more intentional, slower rhythms that serve us right now—while still making use of our time and growing together. I’m not sure what to call them yet, but I’m leaning toward creating a few “blocks” throughout the day that focus on our family’s unique needs.

Stay tuned as I figure out if this will work… still unsure, but I’m excited to try!

Homeschool Morning Routine Ideas That Set the Tone

Our homeschool days don’t start with a buzzer. They start with rhythms that ground us: waking up, doing our morning chores together, and sitting down for breakfast as a family. 

After that? Bible time and reading—our anchor. 

Before we open math books or dive into science projects, we come together and open the Word. We read, memorize verses, and talk about what it means to live lives of character, integrity, and kindness. It’s a moment of stillness that sets the tone for everything else.

We ease into everything else, too. No need to start with a full academic load right away. The beauty of homeschooling is that we can build our days thoughtfully and adjust as we go.

Homeschool Tools and Resources We’re Using This Year

Every new school year brings a little something different—and this one is no exception. We’re starting with fresh school photos (because it’s fun and makes everyone feel like it’s official), then diving into new Bible verses and a new book of the Bible. 

My dad has an amazing teaching series on the book of John, and I’m calling in the reserves for that one. I know it’s going to be a gift for all of us. The younger three are still learning to read, so we’ll be working with a tutor to help with some programs.

On the creative side, I’m planning watercolor sessions with the girls and continuing violin lessons with Holly. We’ll also be taking some more music lessons—I’ve been loving Voetberg Music Academy (shoutout to my nephew and nieces!) for its online courses that let all the kids learn at the same time. 

It’s a little bit structured, a little bit fluid, and always intentional.

In the past, I’ve gathered separate curriculums for each age and sent the kids down their own learning paths. This year, I’m taking a different approach.

Other than math, we’ll be tackling one subject at a time (whether for a week or a month) and diving into it together at each child’s level. I’m hoping this will make learning more fun and help us feel like a true team. Fingers crossed! 

Overwhelmed? How to Simplify Your DIY Homeschool Reset

If you’re a homeschool parent staring down the barrel of a new school year and already feeling behind, I want to tell you something: You’re not.

You don’t need to have every subject mapped out, every pencil sharpened, or every lesson laminated. What your kids need most from you isn’t a flawless schedule; it’s a calm, grounded presence and a home filled with love.

For us, the priority is always character. Teaching our children to speak with love, walk in integrity, carry their share of the load, and create a peaceful space around them—that’s the foundation. Academics? They’re important, yes. But they build on top of that.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with the small things. Tidy a drawer. Light a nontoxic candle. Read a verse aloud. Reset your atmosphere before you try to reset the schedule.

Stepping into the Homeschool Year With Clarity and Purpose

There’s no perfect formula for preparing your heart or home for a new school year. Some years we leap into it with energy. Other years, we crawl. What matters is that we show up with open hands, tender hearts, and a willingness to grow right alongside our children.

So whatever your end-of-summer reset looks like this year, I hope it brings you peace, clarity, and joy. Whether it’s a deep clean, a new planner, or a few slow mornings spent reconnecting, may it fill your home with calm as you head into the next season.

What does your end-of-summer reset look like? Share your thoughts in the comments or tag us in your first-day photos on IG @bendsoapcompany!