A New School Year, A New Beginning | The Power of Family Goal Setting in Our Homeschool Journey
There’s something so refreshing about the start of a new school year. It’s a blank slate—a fresh chapter filled with possibility, growth, and the quiet hope that this year will be the best one yet.
Over the years, as a homeschooling family, we embraced the beginning of the school year with a special tradition that became a cornerstone of our home : family goal setting.
This wasn’t just about academics or checking off a list of accomplishments. It was about intentionally seeking God’s direction, growing together as a family, and creating space to dream, reflect, and pray over the year ahead.
Our Family Goal-Setting Tradition
Every year, on the first day of school, we would sit down together as a family and each jot down five personal goals we hoped to accomplish by the end of the school year.
These weren’t always about grades or curriculum.
Sometimes they were simple, heartfelt desires like :
“Read through an entire chapter book.”
“Be more patient with my siblings.”
“Pass my drivers test.”
“Spend more time helping in the kitchen.”
“Be bold enough to apply for my first job.”
Each family member—kids and parents alike—would write their goals privately. Once everyone was done, we’d gather and share them out loud, one by one. Then, we’d take time to pray over each other’s goals, asking God to give us wisdom, perseverance, and His leading in every area.
It became a sacred moment in our homeschool rhythm.
A moment where academics paused, and hearts aligned.
The Last Day Reflection—A Moment of Growth and Grace
On the last day of the school year, after the books were closed and the final projects completed, we would pull out those same goal lists.
It was always such a beautiful—and sometimes emotional—time of reflection.
We’d read each goal aloud again, remembering what we had prayed for months earlier.
Sometimes we celebrated goals achieved. Other times, we acknowledged the areas where we still had room to grow. But no matter what, there was always grace. Because the focus wasn’t on perfection; it was on growth, intention, and how God had been faithful in the journey.
A Tradition That Lives On Beyond Homeschooling
Now that our homeschool journey has come to an end and our children are grown, you might think these goal-setting traditions faded away.
But they haven’t.
Though the seasons have changed, the heartbeat of intentional living and seeking God’s direction has remained a constant in our family.
We still take time to pray over each other’s dreams and challenges, trusting God to lead us. Homeschooling may be behind us, but the lessons it instilled—the value of purpose-filled beginnings and surrendering our plans to God—are lifelong treasures.
And those sweet lists of years past? I still have them. And I treasure them. They are beautiful reminders of just how far we’ve come.
How You Can Start a Family Goal-Setting Tradition This Year
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to start your homeschool year, I encourage you to create a goal-setting tradition of your own. Here are a few simple steps :
Set Aside a Special Time — Choose a quiet morning or evening to gather as a family, free from distractions.
Provide Goal Sheets — Have each person write down 3-5 personal goals they’d like to grow in this school year.
Share & Pray Together — Create a safe space for everyone to share their goals. Pray over them as a family.
Save the Lists for Year-End Reflection — Tuck them away and revisit them on the last day of school.
Celebrate Progress with Grace — Whether goals are met fully or partially, celebrate the growth and journey.
It’s not about perfect results. It’s about hearts aligned with God’s purpose.
Final Thoughts : A Fresh Start with Eternal Impact
The beginning of a new school year is more than a checklist of curriculum and supplies. It’s an opportunity to pause, reflect, and invite God into every lesson, every challenge, and every victory.
Goal setting with your family is a simple yet powerful way to create intentional rhythms that nurture both academic and spiritual growth.
No matter what season you’re in—whether you're teaching little ones, navigating high school, or watching your children step into adulthood—you can continue to build a legacy of faith, growth, and purpose.
With love, Kristi
