The Best Homeschool Planner for Moms
*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.*
While I loved using the Mom On the Go Planner, I now use, LOVE, and recommend the my own homeschool planner. Honestly, it has everything a homeschool mom could possibly want, and I use it to plan my entire life from homeschool, meal planning, and work! Read more about it HERE.
Have you been hunting the internet for the best homeschool planner?
It’s hard when there are so many options, and even more so because we all do things a little differently.
Finding a homeschool planner that will work perfectly for you can feel daunting.
The planner that I’m going to be talking about is one that I’ve been using for the past 3 years. I started using it when I had only a toddler and a newborn. I now have 3 children and homeschool my eldest.
The fact that it still works for me 3 years later is a testament to how well it can be adapted for every family.
I’ve got thorough reviews of the planners from the past two years here and here. This year’s planner is not so dramatically different from 2019, so I suggest taking a look at that review.
The Mom on the Go Planner from In the Leafy Tree Tops isn’t made to be a homeschool planner, but you can definitely do so. I know…because that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.
Keep reading to find out what makes this planner so special.
** Just a note that while this post is not sponsored, I was gifted the planner. However, the first-ever planner that I used from this company was a gift from my husband for Christmas. I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to now work with the company.
What Makes This The Best Homeschool Planner?
When I began using this planner it wasn’t with the idea of homeschooling in mind. However, it has easily become a homeschool planner and I believe it is because of the following reasons:
#1 It Has Structure
Have you ever used a bullet journal? I love the idea of it. Sitting there and doodling until you come up with something you just love.
However, that isn’t a reality for me. I don’t have the time nor the inclination to spend so long creating a planner layout from scratch.
What I love about the Mom on the Go planner is that it has just enough structure to keep things simple and easy.
You’ve got 2 monthly calendar formats, a daily spread, and a couple of other pages that stay the same every month.
It gives you the consistency and continuity that you need in order to just pick it up and start using it.
#2 It Allows for Flexibility
If there’s one thing all of us moms need, it is flexibility. Our days and seasons change at an alarming pace.
We are all so unique and therefore require a planner which will allow us to use it in the way that works best for our family.
This planner does just that.
While there are structured pages, they are left up to you to decide how you will use them.
For instance, I used to use the weekly spread and break down the daily layout into morning – afternoon – evening.
Now, I use it for work – school – home & appointments.
I’ve found it to be a planner that will work for you even when your life changes somewhat.
#3 It Has a Place for Everything
The Mom on the Go Planner includes 2 formats of monthly calendar layouts as well as a 2-page weekly spread which is broken down into days.
There are also other lined pages which could be used to track your budget and make checklist and shopping lists.
For each major holiday (Easter, Thanksgiving, etc) there is a section at the end of the month where you can plan everything out.
Christmas has it’s own entire section and is so incredibly detailed. They’ve thought of everything!
Beyond that, there are extra pages which you can use for whatever you wish. They are lined, bulleted & grid.
There are a couple of pockets right at the back as well as a ziplock plastic pocket. I’ve always used that one to keep receipts and other things I don’t want to go missing.
#4 It Allows You to Be Creative…Or Not
One of the areas that flexibility extends to is creativity.
There are times when I am in a creative groove and I’ll spend time making my planner looking just the way I’d like it.
Then there are times when I just can’t be bothered…and my planner is still pretty.
There is room for stickers and decor but you don’t have to add all that if you don’t wish to. The planner is pretty enough in and of itself.
#5 It Isn’t Overly Large
The Mom on the Go Planner was designed with busy moms in mind. I’ll admit that I’m a real homebody and mine usually stays on my desk.
However, the planner is small enough to fit into a handbag or diaper bag if you do need to take it with you.
I also like that it easily fits in my desk drawer if I feel the need to store it away.
How to Use This Planner for Homeschool Lesson Planning
Everyone plans their homeschool differently. Some don’t plan at all!
I feel as though at this stage I fall somewhere in-between.
My son is just about to turn 5 and so we’ve been taking a fairly relaxed approach to our homeschool schedule.
If something comes up and we can’t fit school in, then it isn’t the end of the world.
However, I am a planner and I’ve devised a system that works really well for us during this season.
Below I’ll talk about how I use the planner to keep track of our lessons.
The Weekly & Daily Spread
There’s a 2-page spread for every week that is then broken down into days. I only plan our homeschool a week at a time. This allows for flexibility should things come up, but it also means I can easily see where we’re meant to be during the week.
I’m also able to make sure I have any supplies that might be needed.
So, I used the weekly spread to insert the lessons that we aim to complete that week. I use the middle section for school and just jot down the lesson number along with a checkbox (’cause this girl loves ticking things off!).
You could easily do this for multiple children even though I currently only use it for one.
Tracking
Keeping track of subjects is both satisfying and helpful. The way in which I do this is by creating a chart in one of the grid pages at the back of the planner.
I title it and then list out the number of lessons to complete. Then, as they’re completed I cross them off.
It’s such a simple way to keep track of things and to easily tell where your child is up to in a single glance.
There are so many possibilities for how you could use this planner. I recommend watching the video attached to this post so you can see a full flip-through of the 2020 Mom on the Go Planner.
