Homeschooling requires a leap of faith. It requires tuning into your child, your family, your community, and the world around you. You grow and shift with each season, each lesson, and your unique child. As you grow together, it’s helpful to use homeschool tools to reflect, celebrate, and make change.

Just as your child grows and learns with every lesson, you as the homeschool parent grow with them. A helpful tool for homeschool parents to assess progress and set goals is the Rose, Thorn, Bud model. This simple homeschool framework encourages us to celebrate homeschooling successes, acknowledge challenges, and explore exciting possibilities ahead.

Ready to start reflecting? Download our free Rose, Thorn, Bud printable to help you turn your thoughts into actionable steps!

What is the Rose, Thorn, Bud Model?

The Rose, Thorn, Bud model is a reflection tool often used to identify:

• Rose: What went well? What brought joy and success?
• Thorn: What was challenging or didn’t work as planned?
• Bud: What holds potential for growth or sparks excitement for the future?

By breaking reflections into these categories, you can see your homeschool experience more clearly. You can appreciate your successes and also find areas to improve, helping you build towards new opportunities.

Step 1: Reflecting on Your Roses

Begin by celebrating your homeschool joys so far. Ask yourself:

• What moments made your heart swell with pride or joy?
• Which activities or lessons captured your child’s imagination?
• What rhythms or routines worked well for your family?

Perhaps your child discovered a love for storytelling or nature walks became a treasured part of your week. These are your roses—the moments that remind you why you chose to homeschool.

Example: “We found so much joy in our weekly storyboarding based on our reading. I loved seeing my child gain confidence in reading aloud and making connections between themes week to week.”

Step 2: Acknowledging Your Thorns

Next, look honestly at the challenges. No homeschooling experience is without its thorns. Reflect on:

• What felt frustrating or overwhelming?
• Were there certain subjects, schedules, or dynamics that didn’t flow?
• Did anything prevent you from achieving your homeschool goals?

This isn’t about self-criticism; it’s about growth and working together to find solutions. By naming your thorns, you can take the first steps toward addressing them.

Example: “Math often ended in tears, and I realized that our current approach wasn’t working. We need to find a way to make it more engaging and less stressful.”

Step 3: Identifying Your Buds

Finally, turn your focus to the future. What excites you as you look ahead? Consider:

• New ideas or activities you’d like to try
• Skills your child is eager to develop or a content area captivating their curiosity
• Ways you can adapt your approach to better meet your family’s needs

This is your opportunity to set homeschool goals and embrace the potential of a fresh start.

Example: “We’re excited to start a family garden this spring, blending science and hands-on learning. My child is thrilled about planting seeds and watching them grow!”

Putting It All Together: A Homeschool Planning Guide for the New Year

Once you’ve identified your roses, thorns, and buds, use these insights to create a roadmap for moving forward. Here’s how:

• Celebrate and Preserve: Keep doing what works. Build your rose garden to create more joyful and meaningful homeschool learning experiences.
• Adapt and Improve: Address the thorns by exploring new strategies, tools, or resources. This might mean adjusting your homeschool curriculum, your daily routine, or seeking support from the homeschooling community.
• Plant and Nurture: Focus on those promising buds by setting goals and making space for new ideas. Start small, but stay open to the unexpected growth that may emerge.

Download Your Free Rose, Thorn, Bud Printable!

To make your homeschool reflection easier, we created a Rose, Thorn, Bud printable worksheet.