Planning for next year

Usually by this time, I’m totally in planning mood and having fun with it. But this year, I am struggling. My children are a almost 6, 7, 9 and 11. The oldest will be 12 and in 7th grade.

It’s like I’ve hit a wall and I don’t know how to plan for him. I have felt lost trying to plan this many ages and stages for next year. And it’s not the history aspect. That’s easy. It’s more core important things, like writing skills and science.

My other stumbling block is that my husband is needing me to work in his business some. So, I need some time that I can concentrate and think. For this year, I’ve been trying to wait until school is done to get my work done. But then I have no time left for personal study, cleaning projects, etc.

Is there a way to keep learning delightful while teaching the kids to do more independent work and have less of my involvement? When I homeschooled (I was in Jr. High when we started homeschooling) my mom literally left us alone and we did it. We knew how to study and plan our own day. I don’t want to completely repeat that, but I do need them to stay focused and quiet for about an hour.

Ideas?