10 Homeschool Curriculum Traps That Cost Parents BIG

Ever fallen into a homeschool curriculum trap that left you regretting every purchase? You know, the kind where you wonder if there’s a secret curriculum graveyard where all your wasted money goes? Well, you're not alone — today, I’m sharing the most common homeschool traps parents fall into, so you can avoid the mistakes that nearly haunted their homeschool journeys.

I’ve spent over 10 years researching homeschool curricula, and I’ve been homeschooling myself since I was 8.

And the points in the article today have been gleaned from a Christian homeschool forum with hundreds of comments on a post on what curriculum to avoid. (I’ll post some of their comments as we go along in the post!)

Today, I’m going to share it all with you so you can make an informed, stress-free decision for your homeschool.

Let’s go!

POINT 1: Avoid Curricula That Claim to Be Christian But Aren’t

Ever thought you found the perfect Christian curriculum, only to realize it didn’t quite align with your beliefs?

Let’s talk about why this can be a huge homeschool trap.

Some curriculums claim to be Christian but don't include the gospel.

Instead, you get good morals but no focus on Jesus — and that’s where it can get tricky.

If you're looking for a program that teaches the Bible and the gospel, make sure it’s not just about behaving well but about why we behave well as Christians.

Choosing a curriculum that doesn’t focus on Christ can leave kids with a distorted view of Christianity.

Without the gospel, it’s just empty moralism — and that’s not what we want for our kids.

POINT 2: Easy Isn’t Always Best

Let’s talk about easy curriculum.

Sounds great, but it can get boring real quick.

Sometimes you pick a curriculum because it promises to be easy, but soon enough, your kids are yawning, and you're out of coffee trying to keep them engaged.

Homeschooling is about challenging our kids to grow, especially in areas like reading, which is key to understanding God’s Word.

Make sure your curriculum hits the right balance—not too easy, but not too overwhelming either.

Use placement tests to find the right level, and don’t skip those extra workbooks if your kids need them!

And always remember: We’re training little people for the Lord, so let’s give them an education that’ll build strong hearts and minds for the future.

For me, I don’t use ACE (though not because of any doctrinal issues). It’s simply too easy for what we’re after. See the video below for more info on that topic.

POINT 3: Beware of the Busywork Monster

Okay, but we can fall off the horse both ways— with dreaded busywork!

You know, that never-ending pile of worksheets that makes you wonder if you’re running a factory, not a homeschool.

We’ve all been there—our kids are given a pile of worksheets, and after a while, they’re just doing busywork.

It’s not reinforcing what they need to know; it’s just more work.

But here’s the key: If your kids are doing something they already know, don’t be afraid to skip it.

As long as they’re getting the concepts, it’s not the end of the world to move on! But if you're using a more thorough program, like one with lots of worksheets, you can always be flexible.

Let your kids skip work they’ve mastered, and check in occasionally to make sure they’re getting it.

So don’t be afraid to say, "We’re skipping this part today!"

It’s about keeping homeschool fun and focused on what matters—without burning out!

POINT 4: Watch Out for the UNMODIFIED 180-Day Trap

Speaking of burnout… let’s chat about the infamous 180-day school year requirement.

If you’re the kind of homeschool parent who loves structure and wants to follow a traditional schedule, the 180-day curriculum can seem like the ultimate goal.

But not everyone is cut out for it.

If you’re a parent who would rather not face the stress of trying to squeeze all 180 lessons into the year, then maybe—just maybe—it’s time to rethink that choice.

One homeschooler said she doesn’t use a 180-day curriculum unless she’s confident she can cut it down to 150 days—an extra month of freedom! 🏖️

Personally, when we use BJU Press, we skip 20-60 percent of every subject!

So, if 180 days of lessons feels like a mountain to climb, don’t be afraid to go for a four-day homeschool week and cross out some of that busywork!

It’s not about the number of days, it’s about the quality of your kids’ education!

POINT 5: Classroom-Style Curriculum for Homeschooling

Think a classroom-style curriculum will work well for homeschooling?

It might—or it might NOT be what you’re expecting.

Some families tried using a classroom-style curriculum, like BJU Press or Abeka, and while they’re academically strong, it didn’t fit their homeschool vibe.

Classroom-style curricula are sometimes too rigid for some homeschools and don’t offer the flexibility that homeschool families need.

Imagine trying to homeschool with a rigid schedule when you’re all about bug studies and glitter glue art days— it’s like trying to throw a formal dinner party while wearing a Hawaiian shirt! 🌴

If your family loves flexibility, programs like Gather Round Homeschool might be a better fit, allowing for a more relaxed and exploratory approach to learning.

So, know what kind of family you are, and choose accordingly.

(I love classroom-style curricula, and use BJU Press…but I recognize that not all families are like this!!!)

POINT 6: Overpriced Private School-Based Curriculums

Next, let’s talk about overpriced curricula.

Some homeschool programs are just overpriced public school curricula with a few extra features.

Are they really worth it?

One program, like Enlightium Academy, offers live teachers and study help, but with a 200% markup on the original price.

It may feel like hiring a butler to microwave your popcorn—nice, but not totally necessary. 😅

What I do like about these private school programs, though, is that they tend to cover all the foundations.

But the question remains: Do you need all those extra features?

That’s where the next point comes in.

POINT 7: Loosey Goosey

What happens if your curriculum is too loose? You might be surprised where your kids could end up.

Many unit study curricula like Gather Round are flexible, letting kids study what they like, but some parents feel it leaves gaps in their education.

Sure, junior might be passionate about studying dinosaurs for the 500th time, but is he learning the math he’ll actually need?

I get the ‘GAP’ thing—I had a bit of that growing up!

While I love flexibility, I’m also a fan of more traditional programs, like BJU Press, to ensure a solid foundation.

Every family is different.

Know your kids’ needs and choose a curriculum that fits.

POINT 8: Secular Curriculum Choices

What’s the point of homeschooling if we’re not teaching our kids from a Christian worldview?

Let’s talk about why secular curricula can be a trap.

Some families tried secular curricula, and though the academics were great, they felt like something was missing.

The Christian worldview was completely absent, and that didn’t sit right with them.

On top of that, a lot of secular programs, like K12 or Connections Academy, can have content that conflicts with a biblical worldview.

So, as Christians, we want our kids to grow in both wisdom and faith.

Choosing a Christ-centered curriculum will help them thrive academically and spiritually. See the video below for some great gospel-centered picks!

Point 9: Before Picking, Know Your Kids' Learning Style

One thing I really like about unit studies programs like Campfire Curriculums is that they’re visually engaging, but what happens if you try a fully-text-based curriculum instead like the Robinson curriculum?

If you’ve got a wiggly child who needs to move around, putting a “sit still and learn” curriculum in front of them without a single hands-on activity?

Yeah, it’s like handing them a bag of rocks and saying, “Have fun!” 😅

So, know your kids' learning style before you dive in.

It’ll save you from frustration (and from running to the coffee pot every 10 minutes)! ☕️

Point 10: Know What Homeschooling Method You Need

Knowing your kids' learning method is one thing.

But knowing what on earth curriculum suppliers are talking about when they reference various homeschool methods?

Well, that can feel like you’re reading a foreign language.

For example, if you pick a classical curriculum for your littlies, and then they end up memorizing a whole lot, you might think, “Wait, what?! This isn’t what I thought it would be!”

But, you would’ve known that was part of the method if you understood what the classical method was in the first place.

A great way to learn about all these methods and which one suits your family best is to check out my Homeschool Parenting Program.

It tells you everything you need to know about homeschooling, including methods, before you even pick a curriculum.

So, make sure you know about homeschool methods before you buy a curriculum!

Otherwise, you might end up with a curriculum that’s as confusing as a math test in Greek. 😅

But…

So, now you know which curriculum traps to avoid, right?

But hold up!

There are still plenty of mistakes lurking out there, just waiting to ambush you when you least expect it! 😱

Want to save yourself from blowing hundreds of dollars and shedding a few tears?

Then make sure to check out my next blog on 5 Costly Homeschool Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.

We’ll go over how to dodge those landmines and choose wisely, so your homeschool journey stays smooth, successful, and—dare I say it?—stress-free.