73 Things to Do Before Your Middle Schooler Starts High SchoolBecause prepping for life matters more than just chasing grades.There’s a quiet moment I come back to often.One of my boys—covered in flour and pride—was pulling his homemade bread out of the oven. He had followed the recipe, cleaned as he went, and even remembered to preheat the oven. No assignment. No reward. Just the satisfaction of doing something useful and doing it well.I remember thinking, This is the kind of test that matters.It’s easy to forget, in the noise of curriculum and expectations, that our job as homeschool moms isn’t just academic prep—it’s life prep.I’ve homeschooled five boys. Each one wildly different. Each one teaching me something new about what it actually means to raise a young man who’s ready for the world.And I can tell you this with certainty: the things that make the biggest difference don’t come from a textbook.The Hidden Curriculum That Matters MostWe spend so much time wondering:Are they ready for algebra? Can they write a solid paragraph? Will they pass that placement test?And sure, those things have their place.But I’ve learned to ask different questions:Can they solve a problem without panicking? Do they know how to apologize and mean it? Will they speak up when it’s hard—or stay silent because it’s safer?Because character carries them when grades can’t.The Checklist I Wish I Had Years AgoSomewhere between “Stop bugging your brother” and “What do you mean you lost your shoes again?” I started jotting down moments that felt like real growth. They weren’t things you’d find on a transcript. But they were the moments that told me: we’re doing okay.That list turned into what’s now called:“73 Things to Do Before Your Middle Schooler Starts High School.”It’s not fancy. It’s not even exhaustive. But it’s honest.It’s full of simple, powerful ways to build a life your middle schooler won’t need to recover from:Plan a sibling’s birthday Write a thank-you note without being asked Say “no” to a peer without guilt Learn to disagree without exploding Pack a suitcase without forgetting underwear (ask me how I know…)These are the things that actually prepare them. For high school. For life. For becoming who they were made to be.Real Moments. Real Growth.There’s something sacred in teaching your son how to use a plunger, write a clear email, or apologize without shame.It’s in those daily, awkward, human moments that they start to believe: I can figure things out. I can own my choices. I can try again tomorrow.One of my sons once called these “sneaky lessons.” Because they didn’t feel like school—but they stuck.And the truth is, our kids need more of those.Not to replace academics, but to give the academics purpose.If You’re Craving More Than a Schedule…This list isn’t about adding more to your day.It’s about looking at what you’re already doing—and noticing the parts that really matter.It’s a reminder that:Helping your child learn to lead a group prayer… counts. Fixing the Wi-Fi router together… counts. Choosing rest over performance… counts.And if you’re like me—someone who needs reminders in black-and-white to refocus when the chaos creeps in—this checklist might be just what your heart (and homeschool) needs.Ready to grab your copy?✏️ Click here to download “73 Things to Do Before Your Middle Schooler Starts High School.”It’s free. It’s heartfelt. And it might just shift the way you see this season.One More ThingI’ve made a lot of mistakes in this homeschool journey. Pushed too hard. Let fear steer the ship. Measured our days by checkboxes instead of connection.But looking back, it’s the “non-school” moments I cherish most.The bedtime heart talks. The kitchen science fails. The ordinary Tuesdays when someone finally offered kindness without a prompt.That’s what this list is about.Not raising a kid who gets straight A’s.But raising one who knows who he is.And that starts right now—with simple steps, meaningful moments, and the courage to focus on what matters most.You’ve got this, Mama.And I’m right here with you.—Bekki