Podcasts about homeschool moms

It's Friday, July 17th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Scottish man arrested for hate speech about pro-life politician's murder A 50-year-old man, pretending to be a woman, who works at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, publicly celebrated the murder of former British Member of Parliament Ann Widdecombe, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Herbert, an Aberdeen web developer, who prefers to be called “Heather,” wrote, “Some good news for once. I hope it was an extremely painful death” and “I hope she was handcuffed to the bed as she screamed in agony.” Widdecombe, a pro-life advocate, served in the Parliament from 1987 to 2010. She endeared herself to Britons with her surprisingly popular appearances on the television shows Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.  Herbert has now been charged for his bizarre hate speech as the investigation into her murder continues. Some have raised speculation that the arrest might be due less to Herbert's hate speech and more to do with what, if any, inside knowledge he might have about her murder. Widdecombe is the second murder of a high-profile pro-life politician in England this decade. Sir David Amess, who was a Member of Parliament for 38 years and Widdecombe's friend, was murdered at a local event in 2021 by Islamist Ali Harbi Ali. Arizona Senator admits to two extra-marital affairs U.S. Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona, a married man and a potential 2028 presidential candidate, engaged in sexual relationships with at least two House staffers, reports the New York Post. The 46-year-old lawmaker admitted to the two extramarital affairs. In Exodus 20:14, God gave Moses the seventh of the Ten Commandments: “You shall not commit adultery.” Man, who spewed racial epithet, charged black NBC Today co-host Andrew Truelove allegedly stormed NBC's "Today" show at 9:00am Eastern on July 16th, lunged at anchor Craig Melvin, a black man, and called him the N-word, reports NBC News. He is now facing a slew of hate crime charges. Truelove, who is white and was unarmed, had entered a stairwell and made his way backstage near the dressing room. The staff and security rushed in -- and the intruder was ultimately detained and arrested. The incident was not captured during the broadcast. Nobody was hurt. Roughly 15 minutes afterwards, both Craig Melvin and Al Roker were on air. Neither hinted at the drama. AG nominee open to roll back Biden's mail-order Abortion Kill Pill During his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15th, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced a range of questions from Republicans regarding the Abortion Kill Pill mifepristone, reports The Washington Stand. Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri asked about the Trump administration's perspective. HAWLEY: “Joe Biden took away President Trump's safety restrictions on this chemical abortion drug. He instituted a mail order abortion policy. So, my state went to court to try to defend our state's laws. A number of other states, Republican states, did this. And of course, in the meantime, the president changed, thank goodness. And now we have President Trump. “But that means that that now we have the state of Missouri, a Republican state, along with a number of other conservative Republican states, are in court against a Republican administration, fighting over Joe Biden's abortion policy.” BLANCHE: “I share your concerns, as does this entire administration. We have the most pro-life president in history, and you are one of the most pro-life senators in this body. “We are not defending what Biden did, and will not. The FDA has a process that takes a year. They've committed to do it in significantly less time than a year. President Trump's administration, in its entirety, will protect the life of the unborn.” HAWLEY: “Presumably, you have no issue with President Trump's earlier rule, which had common sense safety restrictions. You had to see a doctor, get a prescription. There had to be a follow-up visit to see if there was any hemorrhaging. Those were in place before Biden gutted them. “Presumably, there's no issue with any of those.” BLANCHE: “I anticipate the Department [of Justice] would defend those rules.” HAWLEY: “Why not, while the FDA is doing its review, why not put President Trump's rules in place? They're good rules. Why not do that rather than leave in place these rules?” BLANCHE: “We want to get to a good result, consistent with President Trump's administrative directive and priorities. And we very much believe that the Biden rules were wrong.” Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him.” Senator Cruz: Comstock Act should prohibit Abortion Pill by mail And Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas also addressed the Abortion Kill Pill with Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche. CRUZ: “The Comstock Act provides that every article or thing designed or adapted or intended for producing abortion is declared to be non-mailable. I have to admit that statutory text to me looks quite straightforward. It is not subtle. It is not difficult. It is straightforward. “As you know, during the Biden administration, the Office of Legal Counsel issued an opinion concluding that those provisions generally do not prohibit mailing abortion drugs unless the sender intends them to be used unlawfully. Is that right?” BLANCHE: “Yes, that's correct.” CRUZ: “Now, [the] Office of Legal Counsel's opinions may be reconsidered when the Attorney General concludes they are inconsistent with the law. Is that right?” BLANCHE: “That is right.” CRUZ: “Will you commit to carefully reviewing that opinion to ensure that it faithfully reflects the actual statutory text that Congress enacted?” BLANCHE: “Yes.” CRUZ: “Will you commit that the Department [of Justice] will carefully evaluate every lawful action available to ensure the faithful enforcement of the Comstock Act and other federal pro-life acts?” BLANCHE: “Yes.” CRUZ: “I want to point out the real consequences of the Biden administration's lawless authorization of mail-order abortions. According to FDA reporting, the abortion pill has taken more than 3.7 million unborn lives, caused 24 maternal deaths -- moms are being killed -- and resulted in at least 4,195 adverse maternal reactions, including hemorrhage, excruciating abdominal pain, and severe, life-threatening infections. “The position of the Democrats now seems to be that women and teenage girls should be able to get mail-order abortions without a doctor being involved at all. And I will tell you, the death toll from that is horrific, and it needs to stop.” Once Blanche is voted out of the Judiciary Committee, he will need 51 votes of the 100 senators to be confirmed as President Trump's next U.S. Attorney General. Focus on the Family president Jim Daly to step down Nearly two decades after taking the helm of Focus on the Family following the departure of its founder, Jim Daly is preparing to hand the ministry to a new generation, reports The Christian Post. The president of one of America's most influential Evangelical groups announced this week that Focus has officially launched a nationwide search for its next leader, marking the beginning of what is expected to be an 18-month succession process ahead of the ministry's 50th anniversary in 2027. Unlike many recent leadership transitions in prominent Christian groups, this one is not being driven by scandal or internal upheaval. Rather, Focus on the Family is intentionally choosing to transition while it's healthy. Jim Daly said, "My core belief was it's good to get new faces, new energy, younger leadership in to speak to the 30-, 40-somethings about what they're facing with marriage and parenting. I'm going to be turning 65. It's time to start looking for the next-gen leadership. That's really the goal, and to do it well is the other goal." The search, being conducted with executive search firm FaithSearch Partners, will culminate in a vote by Focus' board of directors. Founded in 1977 by Christian psychologist and author Dr. James Dobson, Focus on the Family grew from a fledgling radio ministry into one of the most recognizable voices in American evangelicalism. Through its daily radio broadcasts, magazines, books, counseling services, and public policy advocacy, the Colorado Springs-based nonprofit became a defining force in conversations about marriage, parenting, religious liberty, and the sanctity of life. Today, the ministry reaches millions through radio, podcasts and digital media, employing roughly 750 people and overseeing an annual budget of $150 million. Worldview listeners weigh in from Texas and Alaska Liz Walker in Lubbock, Texas, wrote me and said, “I learned about your newscast from a Homeschool Mom blog. I love listening to it every weekday morning. I definitely get news that I would not get otherwise, including updates of the persecuted church and calls to action.  As a homeschool mom, I often want to do things, but feel like I am powerless.” And Thomas Williams in Wasilla, Alaska, wrote, “I just wanted to drop you a little note and say how much we value what you and your team are doing at The Worldview. My wife and I are raising eight kids -- six boys and two girls. We homeschool and use many items from Generations in our daily life. I pray that God continues to bless the work that you have begun.” 8 Worldview listeners gave $3,220 And finally, on Thursday night by 9:30pm Central, 8 Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate and invested their treasure to fund the six-member team behind The Worldview for another year. Our thanks to Karen in Hillsborough, North Carolina who gave $20 and Cathy in Fate, Texas who gave $50. We were touched by the generosity of Denise in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania who gave $200, Lin in Katy, Texas who gave $300, and Audrey in Otisville, New York who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300. And we're grateful to God for Kristin and Josh in Ball Ground, Georgia who pledged $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600, Jeremy and Meggan in Register, Georgia who gave $750, and Heather in Eagle, Idaho who gave $1,000. Those 8 gifts add up to $3,220. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (drum roll sound effect) $29,840 (sound effect of people cheering) That means we need to raise a whopping $26,725 to hit our $56,565 goal by tonight, Friday, July 17th, at 12 midnight! We need to find 8 Worldview listeners who will pledge $100/month for 12 months or give a one-time gift of $1,200, 14 folks who will pledge $50/month or give a one-time gift of $600, and 28 listeners who will pledge $25/month or give a one-time gift of $300. Please, go to TheWorldview.com, click on Give, select the dollar amount, and make sure to click on the “recurring” button if that's your wish.  Remember, if you want to continue your monthly pledge to The Worldview that you started in a previous year, please let me know so we can count your generous ongoing gift toward our total With God, all things are possible.  Ask Him what He would have you give toward funding this critical newscast for another year. Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, July 17th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

In this episode, Annette Vaughn shares her journey into homeschooling, discusses her inspiring book 'Dear Homeschool Mom,' and highlights the importance of community, faith, and resourcefulness in the homeschooling journey.   Links: To purchase Dear Homeschool Mom: https://www.dearhomeschoolmombook.com/   To find out more about HSLDA's Compassion Grant: https://hslda.org/explore/grants-for-homeschooling   To contact Homeschool Minnesota--MÂCHÉ: https://homeschoolminnesota.org/   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Homeschooling and Community 02:54 The Book: Dear Homeschool Mom 05:47 Curating Letters from Homeschool Moms 08:48 Cohesiveness in Diverse Experiences 12:02 Challenging Topics in Homeschooling 15:00 Navigating Unique Circumstances 17:55 Qualifications for Homeschooling 21:04 The Power of Vulnerability 24:04 Giving Back: HSLDA Compassion Grant 27:03 Encouragement for Homeschool Moms

Homeschool mom burnout is real—and it doesn't mean you're failing or that God is calling you to quit. In this episode of The Brainy Moms Podcast, Dr. Amy and Sandy talk with former classroom teacher, veteran homeschool mom, and educational consultant Jenna Lynn Myers, author of Homeschooling with Purpose: Candid Encouragement for Homeschool Parents. Jenna has supported thousands of homeschool families and is passionate about helping worn-out moms avoid burnout by recognizing early warning signs and building life-giving rhythms at home.You'll hear how to spot homeschool burnout before you throw in the towel: loss of joy in your day, constant frustration, procrastinating with your phone instead of starting lessons, snapping at your kids, and feeling like everything is falling apart. Jenna shares practical ways to revisit your “why,” create white space on your calendar, and set stronger boundaries around your time so you can protect your nervous system and your children's.We talk about:·       Early signs of homeschool mom burnout and what to do when you wake up three days in a row dreading school.·       How to revisit and rewrite your homeschool “why” so it actually motivates you in this season.·       Slow-rolling your year, setting realistic expectations, and choosing progress over perfection in your planning.·       Creating consistent home rhythms and boundaries that support your mental health and your kids' regulation.·       Homeschooling kids with ADHD, special needs, or mental health challenges without sacrificing academics or your own well-being.If you're an overwhelmed homeschool mom—exhausted, snappy, ready to quit—this conversation will give you hope and simple, actionable tools to avoid burnout and find joy again in your calling.Did this conversation resonate with you? Subscribe for more conversations on homeschooling, child development, and family mental health, then share this with a friend who needs encouragement and leave a review so more parents can find us.ABOUT US:The Brainy Moms is a parenting podcast hosted by cognitive psychologist Dr. Amy Moore and Sandy Zamalis. Dr. Amy and Sandy have conversations with experts in parenting, child development, education, homeschooling, psychology, mental health, and neuroscience. Listeners leave with tips and advice for helping parents and kids thrive. If you love us, add us to your playlist and follow us on social media! CONNECT WITH US:Website: www.TheBrainyMoms.com Email: BrainyMoms@gmail.com Social Media: @TheBrainyMomsSubscribe to our free monthly newsletterVisit our sponsor's website: www.LearningRx.com

Welcome to the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026 — a year of reading chosen entirely for you. Can I ask you a question? Who is nurturing you? It’s a question most homeschool moms never get asked. We pour everything into our children — our time, our creativity, our patience, our presence — and somewhere in all that nurturing, we forget that we are humans with needs too. Who Is Nurturing You? I’ve been there. I spent years showing up for everyone else and calling what was left of me enough. Occasional Wednesday nights at Starbucks with a latte and a journal were the thing that kept me going. I thought that was enough. It wasn’t. It’s cliche, but it’s true: I was surviving, not thriving. I craved time to read and write and learn for myself — not just enabling it for the kids. And when I began reading for me, I realized I could answer some of the challenges I was noticing in my homeschool family. After nearly two decades homeschooling and six years coaching women who home educate, I’ve learned that books, and their authors, can be incredible resources for us as home educators. I’ve also learned, from my own life, and the lives of other homeschool moms, we consistently DON’T put ourselves on our to-do lists. We leave our needs, our interests, our rabbit trails last on our lists. Our social lives can be abysmal (funny that onlookers are concerned that our kids aren’t socialized, when mom is driving them hither and yon, waiting in the parking lot while they meet new friends and do cool things). That’s why the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026 exists. And that’s why I want to invite you into the 2026 lineup — twelve books, one per month, chosen entirely for the woman doing this work every single day. A Gift for the Mama Who Keeps Coming Last If you’ve been putting yourself last in your homeschool, I made something for you. It’s called the Permission Slip — 14 daily anchor practices for the homeschool mama who keeps coming last. It’s free and it’s yours. Grab it here: Yes, I Give Myself Permission You Are the Most Important Curriculum in Your Homeschool Before we get to the books, I want to say something I come back to again and again in my coaching work with homeschool moms: You are the most important curriculum in your homeschool. Not the books you choose for your kids. Not the actual curriculum you pull out each morning. And not the co-op or the field trips or the Charlotte Mason inspired nature study either. You. The way you show up. The way you regulate. Even the curiosity you model. The grace you extend — to your kids and to yourself. That is what your children are absorbing every single day. So investing in yourself isn’t something you do when you finally have time. It’s the most important work you can do for your homeschool. And a good book — and a community of women to think about it with — is one of the most accessible ways to begin. How the Homeschool Mama Book Club 2026 Works One book a month. Twelve months. Four quarterly themes that build on each other — so the reading isn’t just a list but a year-long conversation with yourself. When you’re listening to yourself, able to hear two thoughts in a row (because you know that is hard to do with kids afoot), and willing to unpack the challenges in your homeschool mom life, you’ll move toward enjoying the charms of your homeschool family life. And here’s the part I want you to hear clearly: you don’t have to read the book to show up. I know, crazy, right? A book club where you don’t HAVE to read. Of course, you’ll be more deeply benefited if you do. But I know I wouldn’t have been able to read a book a month in my busiest homeschool years and I’m certainly not expecting it of anyone else. Come for the conversation, come for the community, and come because for one Friday morning a month someone is asking what you think and what you need. Every month in the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective we gather for four Friday sessions built around each book: Roundtable Chat — the big question the book is really asking Book Club Discussion — diving into the ideas together Writer’s Room — putting pen to paper on what surfaced for you Actionable Strategies — taking what you learned and building it into your real homeschool life https://youtu.be/WX9ALm-uODU?si=j3xVN-WWRQWkyJWm The 2026–2027 Homeschool Mama Book Club Lineup ☀️ Summer — Your Inner Life June, July, August We start by turning inward. Before we can talk about education philosophy or creative practice we need to know ourselves a little better first. June — Atlas of the Heart by Brené BrownDo you actually know what you’re feeling — or are you just reacting to it? Brown maps 87 emotions and gives you the vocabulary to finally understand what’s happening inside you — and why it matters for every relationship in your home. July — The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne StabileWhy do you parent and teach the way you do? This warm, witty introduction to the Enneagram helps you understand your core motivations, your stress responses, and the invisible rules you’ve been living by without even knowing it. And when you join the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective (where the Homeschool Mama Book Club lives, you’ll have access to a workshop on how the Enneagram works in your homeschool family.) August — The Life That’s Waiting by Brianna WiestWhat would your life look like if you stopped forcing it and started living it? Wiest’s newest collection of essays is for the mom who has been pushing herself toward a life that doesn’t quite fit — and is finally ready to choose differently.

Transitioning from homeschooling the early years to high school is a significant shift—for both you and your teen. It's not just about choosing the right curriculum or making sure they meet graduation requirements. It’s about fostering independence, supporting their personal growth, and adjusting to your evolving role as a homeschool mom as you navigate homeschool high school. If you're wondering how to confidently guide your homeschooler through these years, know that this is a typical concern at this transition season. Let's explore what this transition really looks like and how you can set your teen (and yourself) up for a satisfying experience. https://youtu.be/j7MClbBT3Sw?si=X-6czZiT2yXcryp_ How to Succeed at Navigating Homeschool High School with Confidence “Am I Covering Enough?” The Silent Worry of Every Homeschool Mom A homeschool mom recently shared with me: “Oh man, I am in that zone of figuring out how to finish the year in a fun, explorative way while also battling those ‘Am I covering enough?' thoughts. I know we're really okay, but I think it gets stressful as I'm listening to other families beginning to worry about high school and college. I don't want my kids' education to be reduced to a test score, but I do wonder if it would be easier than compiling a portfolio for each child.” Does this sound familiar? If you're navigating the transition from “learning through play” to “we should probably get serious about high school credits,” you are not alone. This shift is natural. But it doesn't mean you have to homeschool from a place of fear. Let’s talk about what really matters in these years—and how you can navigate homeschool high school with confidence. The Emotional Side of Navigating Homeschool High School One of the biggest challenges of homeschooling the high school years isn't just academics—it's navigating the emotional transition. One day, you're tucking them into bed with bedtime stories. The next, they're staying up later than you. One day, you'll be solving sibling conflicts. The next, they're telling you, “Mom, I got this.” Your role is shifting from hands-on teacher to supportive guide. And that shift isn't always smooth. It's okay to feel moments of panic. It's okay to wonder if you've done enough. And it's okay to grieve the little years while also embracing this new chapter. What’s most important is that your teen feels empowered and supported as you both navigate homeschool high school together. You’ve Already Succeeded — Navigating Homeschool High School Is the Next Step High school doesn’t have to be scary. Remember when you first began homeschooling and everything felt overwhelming? You conquered that challenge, and now you can master this high school transition too. A Guide Built for the Mom, Not Just the Curriculum My guide “Mindsets for Homeschool Mamas: Navigate Homeschool High School with Confidence” is designed specifically for YOU – not your homeschool teen – because your mindset and well-being are the foundation of a successful homeschool high school experience. This isn’t another homeschool high school curriculum guide. This is about your journey as you guide your teen through these transformative years. High school homeschooling brings new responsibilities, but it also offers incredible opportunities to: Customize learning to your teen’s unique passions and future goals Strengthen your relationship during these pivotal years of development Create a high school experience that aligns with your family’s values Prepare your teen for independence while maintaining meaningful connection What’s Included in “Mindsets for Homeschool Mamas” 1: Setting Your Homeschool High School Foundation Clarify your academic, personal growth, and family goals Guided journal prompts to address your concerns Define what success truly means for YOUR family during high school 2: Communication Strategies for the Teen Years Navigate changing dynamics as your teen grows more independent Discussion frameworks for collaborating on curriculum choices Ways to support your teen’s emotional well-being during this transition 3: Self-Care for the Homeschool Mom Practical wellness strategies that fit into your busy schedule Permission to prioritize your growth alongside your teen’s Tools to maintain joy and purpose throughout the high school journey Why This Guide Is Different Most high school homeschool resources focus on academic requirements, transcripts, and college preparation. While those are obviously important, they miss the most crucial element: YOU. Your mindset, well-being, and confidence directly impact your homeschool atmosphere. This guide addresses the human side of homeschooling high school – your thoughts, emotions, and growth as a mother during this season as you navigate homeschool high school. What Other Homeschool Moms Are Saying “Teresa is the real deal! An experienced homeschool Mom who’s been there and can help others get out of overwhelm. Her ability to hold space for silence and difficult feelings makes her “no small talk” approach so effective. I trust her. Her retreat, resources and ask me anything meetings have served me tremendously. I’m so glad she’s in my corner!” –Homeschool Mom of 2 Get Your Guide Here → Mindset Shifts for Homeschool Moms: Thriving Through the High School Years Confidently Homeschool Through the High School Years $12.99 $10.99 Shop now Get your Guide Here! Mindset Shifts for Homeschool Moms: Thriving Through the High School Years Confidently Homeschool Through the High School Years $12.99 Original price was: $12.99.$10.99Current price is: $10.99. Shop now Building a High School Plan While Navigating Homeschool High School Once your mindset feels steadier, the next layer is practical: building an actual plan. This is where you’ll face a new set of questions: Should we follow a traditional four-year plan? What if my teen wants to go to college? How do I balance structured learning with their individual interests? What about transcripts and credits? Instead of feeling overwhelmed, approach high school as a personalized journey. Here’s how: Four Ways to Build a Plan That Fits Your Teen ✔ Start with the Big Picture — Think about where your teen might be headed in four years. Are they considering college? A trade? Entrepreneurship? Plan backward from their goals while leaving room for flexibility. ✔ Lean Into Their Strengths & Interests — High school is an opportunity for teens to explore their passions. Whether it’s literature, science, the arts, or hands-on learning, tailor their education to keep them engaged. ✔ Consider Alternative Learning Paths — High school doesn’t have to look like a traditional classroom. Dual enrollment, apprenticeships, online courses, and independent study can all be valuable options. ✔ Encourage Ownership of Their Learning — The high school years should prepare your teen for adulthood. Give them increasing responsibility for managing their schedule, completing assignments, and setting personal goals. If this feels overwhelming, take a deep breath. You don’t have to figure it all out overnight. A flexible, personalized approach is key to making these years work for your family while navigating homeschool high school. If you want the authoritative guide to homeschooling high school, check out the Homeschool High School podcast and all the offerings at 7 Sisters Homeschool. https://youtu.be/ZQqrU5icsS8?si=gJ34S-zsZn-0Nq3Z Living Your Life on Purpose — For You, Too Building your teen’s plan is half the picture. The other half is a question a lot of homeschool moms don’t expect to face while navigating homeschool high school: what about your plan? Just as your teen is stepping into a new stage, so are you. Homeschooling through high school often brings up deeper questions: What’s next for me? How do I redefine my role beyond “homeschool mom”? Am I ready for this next phase of my own life? This is why I created the Living Your Life on Purpose Checklist. It’s designed to help homeschool moms reflect on their own journey and step into the next season with confidence. As we guide our kids toward independence, we have to honour our own growth too. Get Your Free Checklist Now → Does Homeschooling Feel Like It’s Pulling You in Too Many Directions? If that question about your own next chapter stirred something, you’re not alone there either. You likely started homeschooling with a deep desire to create a meaningful, connected learning experience for you and your kids. But somewhere along the way, the overwhelm, the exhaustion, and the never-ending to-do lists made you wonder: Am I really doing enough? How do I stay intentional when I’m just trying to keep up? What happens when my role as a homeschool mom changes — how do I find purpose then? I’ve been there. Every homeschool mom faces seasons of doubt, burnout, and transition while navigating homeschool high school. But the good news is you can realign with your purpose and homeschool in a way that truly works for your family. Get Your Free Checklist Now → Get Your Free Checklist Now! You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone Feeling uncertain while navigating homeschool high school is completely normal. But you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. I’d love to invite you to a one-on-one coaching conversation where we can: ✅ Clarify your biggest challenges around homeschooling the high school years ✅ Create an action plan for your next steps ✅ Help you move forward with confidence If you need guidance, encouragement, or just someone to say “You’re doing better than you think,” I’m here. Book your free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session I help homeschool moms trust themselves, edit expectations, and make intentional choices that create a more confident, connected, and present homeschool life. Book your Reset Session with Teresa You Have Support if You Want It High school homeschooling isn’t just about academic requirements, transcripts, and college preparation — it’s about creating a meaningful journey for both you and your teen. With the right mindset and self-care practices, you can keep navigating homeschool high school with confidence. Ready to transform your approach? The guide includes printable journal pages, guided reflection exercises, and actionable strategies you can implement immediately. You’re also invited to join our private community of homeschool moms navigating their homeschool years together. You’ve got this, mama. And whenever you need a reminder, I’m just a conversation away. Book a No-Obligation Conversation with Teresa → — Renee, Homeschool Mama of 4, on coaching with Teresa Wiedrick Book a no-obligation conversation with Teresa You're Not Starting Over. You're Starting Fresh. If homeschool high school feels like unfamiliar territory — even after years of homeschooling — that makes complete sense. But here's what I want you to remember: you are not starting over. You are starting fresh. Everything you have learned about your child — how they think, how they learn, what lights them up and what shuts them down — you bring all of that into these high school years with you. That knowledge doesn't disappear. It deepens. The spiral you might be feeling right now isn't a sign that you're behind. It's just your brain catching up to what your gut already knows — this child is worth figuring out. And you are exactly the right person to do it. You've already proven that. You just have to trust it. And if you need someone in your corner while you do — I'm here. Book a free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session and let's think through it together. Related Reading Unexpected Feelings When Your Homeschooler Gets Accepted to University homeschool high school Transitioning into Homeschool High School: What We're Really Talking About Own Your Learning, Own Your Life with Stephanie Sewell How to Create a Personalized Homeschool High School (That Actually Fits Your Teen) Homeschool Teens Perspective: How to Homeschool High School a Letter to My Homeschool High School Daughter How to unschool high school. Helping Our Kids Live Their Lives on Purpose: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms Awakened Homeschool Family: Living with Purpose, Learning from Heart Mindset Shifts for Homeschool Moms: Thriving Through the High School Years What It's Like: Homeschool to High School Transition What are the benefits of a homeschool high school? Fun with your Homeschool High Schoolers Teaching Literary Devices via Pop Culture how I transitioned from homeschool to public high school the surprising transition from school to homeschool 5 Ways to Parent Homeschool Teenagers to Keep You Sane Latest episodes You’re Invited to the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026 July 14, 2026 Post-Partum Overwhelm in Your Homeschool: 12 Ways to Cope July 12, 2026 A 2023 High School Graduate’s Thoughts on her Homeschool Life July 11, 2026 What It’s Like? The Homeschool to High School Transition July 11, 2026 Navigate Homeschool High School (What You Need to Know) July 7, 2026 How to Set Realistic High School Expectations? Learn Human Development July 3, 2026 Declutter Your Homeschool Mama Mind: Overwhelm to On Purpose July 2, 2026 How to Handle Homeschool Criticism With Confidence June 29, 2026 How to Create a Personalized Homeschool High School That Fits Your Teen June 23, 2026 The Real Cost Of Being The “Good Girl” Who Became The Good Mom June 16, 2026 What Is an Education Anyway? Your Answer Changes Your Homeschool June 8, 2026 5 Reasons Your Homeschool Child Won’t Do Work & How to Motivate Your Child June 2, 2026 Crush 1st-Year Homeschool Frustrations and Plan a Smooth Year 2 May 30, 2026 Encouragement for Homeschool Moms in the 1st Year May 30, 2026 Transitioning into Homeschool High School: What We're Really Talking About May 26, 2026 Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning BC: What Really Matters May 19, 2026 Homeschool Year End Review: Celebrating your Success & Growth May 12, 2026 When You Buy New Homeschool Curriculum: 5 Clever Suggestions May 6, 2026 The Truth About Homeschooling the “Right Way” — But What Works May 5, 2026 9 Steps to Thrive: Confident Homeschool Mom in Year 1 April 28, 2026 What If Your Unrealistic Expectations Are Actually Your Greatest Asset? April 21, 2026 Overcome Imposter Syndrome: How to Build Confidence as a Homeschool Mom April 14, 2026 How to Get Started Homeschooling in 2026 April 11, 2026 9 Mistakes That Make Your 1st Homeschool Year Stressful (& How to Avoid Them) April 9, 2026 How to Make Confident Homeschool Decisions (Without Seeking Permission) April 7, 2026 How to Homeschool When Everyone Has ADHD (And You’re Exhausted) March 31, 2026 Exhausted Homeschool Mom? 8 Things That Will Give You Hope March 24, 2026 Stop Second-Guessing as a Homeschool Mom (& Use Your Magic) March 17, 2026 “You’re Not Falling Apart. You’re in the Winter Homeschool Slump.” March 10, 2026 The Lies Homeschool Moms Believe That Makes Everything Harder March 2, 2026 You’re Not Failing. You’re Caught In An Inner Critic Loop. Here’s How to Get Out February 24, 2026 How to Stop People-Pleasing as a Homeschool Mom (One Mom’s Story) February 17, 2026 How to Stop the Inner Critic as a Homeschool Mom: The Charmed Life I Was Chasing (& the Pattern I Didn’t Know I Was Living) February 10, 2026 The Most Important Way to Take Care of Yourself as an Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom February 2, 2026 How to Do Kindergarten in Your Homeschool: A Fun & Effective Guide January 29, 2026 The Real Reason You’re Overwhelmed (It’s Not the Curriculum) January 26, 2026 Unexpected Feelings When Your Homeschooler Gets Accepted to University January 22, 2026 How to Stop Being a Hostage to Homeschool Pressure (& What to Do Instead) January 19, 2026 The Truth About Finding Your Homeschool Rhythm January 13, 2026 The Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast: Introducing the 1% Pivot January 6, 2026 Purpose-Driven Homeschool Planning for 2026: How to Recalibrate the Year with Clarity December 23, 2025 1% Shift to a Calm Homeschool Life December 23, 2025 12 Things I've Learned About Homeschool Moms: Self-Care Tips for Overwhelmed Homeschool Moms December 10, 2025 12-Day Homeschool Mom Self-Care Challenge to Come Back to Yourself December 2, 2025 What is the Reimagine Your Homeschool Group Coaching? November 18, 2025 Not Just a Homeschool Mom — Why You’re Disappearing (And How to Come Back) November 11, 2025 Teaching World War to a Homeschooled Eight Year Old November 10, 2025 Reimagine Your Homeschool: Feel Free, Inspire Curiosity and Do What Works November 5, 2025 the role of imagination in a home education November 4, 2025 Helping Our Kids Live Their Lives on Purpose: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms October 28, 2025 Subscribe to the Confident Homeschool Mom podcast YouTube Apple Audible Spotify This post was originally published on April 3, 2025, and has been updated on July 6, 2026. Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventureLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){ var c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return "number"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);} f.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i); var _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()/1000000)); _.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https://static.mailerlite.com/js/universal.js', 'ml'); var ml_account = ml('accounts', '1815912', 'p9n9c0c7s5', 'load');

What happens when you've built everything you thought you wanted... and realize it's no longer the life you want?In this episode, I sit down with Ceci Washington, entrepreneur, business mentor, and homeschooling mom, to talk about the decision to walk away from a thriving business, leave behind financial security, and choose a completely different path for her family.We discuss the fears that stop parents from homeschooling, why so many families feel pulled toward a different way of raising their children, the grief that can come with leaving your old life behind, and why grief doesn't always mean you've made the wrong decision.We also talk about socialization, technology, homeschooling regulations, balancing work and family, and what it really looks like to build a life around your children instead of fitting them into your schedule.If you've ever wondered whether homeschooling could work for your family—or whether it's possible to redesign your life around what matters most—this conversation is for you.Cheryl on Ceci's podcast- YouTubeRadically Real Podcastwww.instagram.com/itsceciwashingtonwww.instagram.com/getradicallyrealhttps://stan.store/CecileJWashResources from Cheryl:

Y'all, this one is going to light a fire under you.Brittney Roberts spent over a decade as a jack-of-all-trades freelancer, strictly hourly, wearing every hat, and after childcare she was making almost nothing. One year she looked at her taxes and saw $18,000. That was the wake-up call.In this student spotlight, Brittney shares the exact pivot that took her from $18K a year to over six figures as a freelance ad manager, all while moving across the country, homeschooling three energetic boys, and living in temporary housing. This is proof of what's possible when you stop doing everything for everyone and go all in on the right thing.In this episode, you'll learn:Why being a jack of all trades is quietly keeping you stuck at low incomeThe exact moment Brittney decided to go all in on Meta ads (and why she waited too long to fully pivot)How to reach back out to past clients when you change your servicesThe strategist trifecta: three package types that grow your revenue without more retainer clientsHow Brittney structures her VIP days into two simple sessionsThe two-or-three-needle-movers daily habit that protects her timeWhy working nights and weekends is not the problem (and when it actually is)The Voxer stat that shocked Brandi: members who vox weekly all doubled their business or moreMentioned in this episode:Strategist Society: https://thestrategistsociety.comConversions for Clients (for early-stage freelancers): https://conversionsforclients.comDM Brandi the word SCALE on Instagram: https://instagram.com/brandimowlesBook mentioned: "Trust Me, I'm Lying" by Ryan HolidayReady to scale past $10K months?If you're ready to be in the room with women like Brittney, with real community and one-on-one Voxer support behind you, head to thestrategistsociety.com and apply. We'll jump on a call and see if it's a fit.Loved this episode?Share it with one friend who needs to hear it, and tag @brandimowles so I can see it.Now go do the dang thing.Follow the Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/serve-scale-soar/id1477998650Follow Brandi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandimowlesFollow Brandi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Brandiandcompany

Learning how to handle criticism about homeschooling is one of the quietest struggles home educating moms carry. If you’ve ever walked away from a family dinner, a grocery store run, or a casual conversation wondering how to handle criticism about homeschooling without losing your peace — this one is for you. It’s not always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s a raised eyebrow. A loaded question at Christmas. A relative who quizzes your kids on times tables with a little too much enthusiasm. And it’s exhausting. I remember standing in the produce section of the grocery store when an older man walked by and said, just like that, “Get your kids into school.” I had never seen him before in my life. Never recognized him. And yet he assumed he knew exactly what my kids needed. And then there was the relative at the barbecue table — someone I genuinely wanted in my corner — who looked around at all of us and said casually, “So you’re not putting the kids into homeschool high school though, right?” Not a direct criticism. But I heard it. I felt it. Maybe you have your own version of those moments. Maybe yours happened at Thanksgiving, or in a parking lot, or in a text from your mother-in-law. The details are different but the feeling is the same — that quiet sting of having a choice you love questioned by someone whose opinion lands. Get your free 7-Day Confident Homeschool Mom Roadmap Your step-by-step guide to homeschooling with clarity and confidence — even when the people around you don’t get it. Get your free 7-Day Confident Homeschool Mom Roadmap As a television actress, Lucille Ball had a lot of practice responding to other people’s opinions, and she learned, ‘not everyone likes me, but not everyone matters‘. Why Homeschool Criticism Feels So Hard to Handle Here’s the belief that makes criticism about homeschooling so draining: we think that if we just find the right words, explain things clearly enough, or present enough evidence, the people who matter to us will eventually come around. But they might not. And building your confidence on that hope is an unstable foundation. One of the most repeated voices that pulls us off course is the collective noise of what others might think. As Lucille Ball once put it, ‘not everyone likes me, but not everyone matters.’ I’d love to believe everyone should naturally understand and support each other’s choices. (You probably know I’m an idealist — you’re reading a site called Capturing the Charmed Life.) But the truth is, not everyone will get it. And learning to make peace with that is one of the most freeing things you can do as a homeschool mom. Knowing how to handle criticism about homeschooling starts with releasing the belief that you can bring everyone along with you. Watch: How to Handle Homeschool Criticism Without Letting Other People’s Opinions Run Your Life I unpacked this whole topic on video — because sometimes it helps to hear it out loud. If you’re in the thick of navigating homeschool criticism right now, press play. https://youtu.be/5387lYcjipA What to Say When Someone Criticizes Your Homeschool Choice You don’t owe anyone a dissertation. When a family member, a stranger in the produce aisle, or a well-meaning friend questions your decision, consider this first: they may simply be curious. They may be afraid for your kids because they love them and don’t yet understand what you’re doing. They may never have encountered an alternative to conventional school. Group think influences generations. A calm, kind, honest response is enough. Try something like: “Here’s what I’ve learned about this choice and what I want you to know.” Answer their questions directly, stay grounded, and then you get to go home. That’s it. You don’t need to win the conversation. And for the family member who insists on quizzing your kids? Kindly redirect their questions to you. Or if your child absolutely nails it — let them have the moment. Then casually mention it at every family dinner for the next four to five years. You’ve earned it. And yes, sometimes the ‘but what about…’ comes from another homeschooler doing things differently. That one can sting in its own particular way. How to Handle Homeschool Criticism With Integrity Instead of Defense Here’s what I really want you to hear. The goal isn’t to get everyone on board. The goal is to live in integrity and alignment — to make choices based on what you genuinely believe is right for your family, not based on what you’re afraid others will think. When you live outward — constantly asking what will they think? instead of what do I actually believe? — you absorb the cost of that. You feel frustrated, defensive, and like you’re not living the intentional life you set out to build. But when you get clear on your own convictions, something shifts. You stop writing the three-point persuasive essay in your head every time someone comments. You stop needing to make them wrong so you can feel right. And you become genuinely more curious about other perspectives because you’re no longer threatened by them. Confidence isn’t reactive and defensive. Confidence is living your life and minding your own business. And that is exactly how to handle criticism about homeschooling in a way that actually protects your peace long term. If you’re ready to go beyond reading and actually work through what’s holding you back, the Build Boundaries in Your Homeschool Journaling Workbook is your next step. It pairs beautifully with everything we’ve covered here — and at under $7, it’s the most affordable way to do the deeper work. Build Boundaries in Your Homeschool (& Life) Journaling Workbook Build Boundaries in Your Homeschool (& Life) Journaling Workbook $9.99 Original price was: $9.99.$6.99Current price is: $6.99. Shop now When Homeschool Criticism Comes From Someone You Love Sometimes the hardest part of handling homeschool criticism is that it comes from someone whose opinion genuinely matters to you — a family member you really wanted in your corner, who just doesn’t get it. That grief is real. I’ve lived it. There was someone I kept hoping would come around, and that door stayed closed. It hurt. Sometimes the person who isn’t on board is even closer than a relative. If your spouse or co-parent has doubts, that’s its own tender conversation — and it deserves its own honest attention. You’re allowed to grieve the connection you hoped for. And at the same time, spending your energy trying to convince someone who isn’t listening is costing you something. Accepting the reality of a relationship as it is isn’t giving up — it’s clarity. Brené Brown, author of Daring Greatly, The Gifts of Imperfection, and Rising Strong, puts it this way: the most boundaried person is the most compassionate person. Before you invest energy trying to be understood by someone, ask yourself honestly — does this person have the capacity to hold a differing opinion without steamrolling yours? How have they already shown up for you? If they’re not really listening, you already have your answer. 7 ways Brené Brown rescued me from one of those homeschool days How Brené Brown Can Teach Homeschoolers to Be Confident How Brené Brown’s Inspiring Thoughts Have Informed My Homeschool Handling Homeschool Criticism Starts With This One Mindset Shift Learning how to handle criticism about homeschooling is ultimately less about what you say to others and more about what you believe about yourself. Henry David Thoreau wrote: if a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears. Friend, you are stepping to your own music. That is not a problem to be fixed. That is the entire point of this homeschool journey. The more you practice living from integrity and alignment, the less you’ll be preoccupied with other people’s opinions. You’ll become clearer in your convictions, more curious about different perspectives, and far less threatened by them. It really is a practice. And I promise you — you will get there. If This Resonated, You Might Also Love Where do I find your book, Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Nurturing the Nurturer? How to Handle Homeschool Overwhelm how to connect with your homeschool kids: meaningful conversations How to Make Confident Homeschool Decisions (Without Seeking Permission) Raising Critical Thinkers: A Parent's Guide to Raising Wise Kids with Julie Bogart When Homeschooling is Hard: Six Perspective-Shifting Approaches How to Recognize Negative Self-Talk as a Homeschool Mom (& What to Do About It) Sibling Bickering in Homeschool Families: What's Normal & How to Handle It Burnout to Balance: How Boundaries Changed My Homeschool Life 14 Ways to Manage Impatience in Your Homeschool Self-Compassion for Homeschool Mamas Course to Nurture You learn not to care what other people think about your homeschool choice how to positively influence my homeschool mama thoughts so I can enjoy my homeschool How to Plan for Your Upcoming Homeschool When You're Not Sure You Want to Continue What are the Benefits of a Homeschool High School? Do you offer one-on-one homeschool (& life) coaching? Responding to homeschool criticism from a place of clarity rather than defense — that’s the shift that changes everything. If you’re done letting other people’s criticism rent space in your head, I made something just for you. The free 7-Day Confident Homeschool Mom Roadmap walks you through practical, encouraging steps to build the mindset and boundaries you need to home educate with clarity and joy — even when the people around you don’t understand your choice. And if you’re well past your first year and beyond frustrated with this storyline in your life, there’s a next step for you too. Book a free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session and we’ll get you out of the spin cycle and back to the most intentional, aligned version of you. Think of it this way: the Roadmap gives you clarity, the Journaling Workbook helps you do the inner work, and the Aligned Homeschool Reset Session is where we work through it together. Wherever you are right now, there’s a next step for you. If you want to take care of your homeschool mama self, start by taking care of your thoughts — because learning how to handle criticism about homeschooling is one of the most peaceful, powerful things you can do for your family. Book your free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session I help homeschool moms trust themselves, edit expectations, and make intentional choices that create a more confident, connected, and present homeschool life. Book your Reset Session with Teresa Latest episodes You’re Invited to the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026 July 14, 2026 Post-Partum Overwhelm in Your Homeschool: 12 Ways to Cope July 12, 2026 A 2023 High School Graduate’s Thoughts on her Homeschool Life July 11, 2026 What It’s Like? The Homeschool to High School Transition July 11, 2026 Navigate Homeschool High School (What You Need to Know) July 7, 2026 How to Set Realistic High School Expectations? Learn Human Development July 3, 2026 Declutter Your Homeschool Mama Mind: Overwhelm to On Purpose July 2, 2026 How to Handle Homeschool Criticism With Confidence June 29, 2026 How to Create a Personalized Homeschool High School That Fits Your Teen June 23, 2026 The Real Cost Of Being The “Good Girl” Who Became The Good Mom June 16, 2026 What Is an Education Anyway? Your Answer Changes Your Homeschool June 8, 2026 5 Reasons Your Homeschool Child Won’t Do Work & How to Motivate Your Child June 2, 2026 Crush 1st-Year Homeschool Frustrations and Plan a Smooth Year 2 May 30, 2026 Encouragement for Homeschool Moms in the 1st Year May 30, 2026 Transitioning into Homeschool High School: What We're Really Talking About May 26, 2026 Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning BC: What Really Matters May 19, 2026 Homeschool Year End Review: Celebrating your Success & Growth May 12, 2026 When You Buy New Homeschool Curriculum: 5 Clever Suggestions May 6, 2026 The Truth About Homeschooling the “Right Way” — But What Works May 5, 2026 9 Steps to Thrive: Confident Homeschool Mom in Year 1 April 28, 2026 What If Your Unrealistic Expectations Are Actually Your Greatest Asset? April 21, 2026 Overcome Imposter Syndrome: How to Build Confidence as a Homeschool Mom April 14, 2026 How to Get Started Homeschooling in 2026 April 11, 2026 9 Mistakes That Make Your 1st Homeschool Year Stressful (& How to Avoid Them) April 9, 2026 How to Make Confident Homeschool Decisions (Without Seeking Permission) April 7, 2026 How to Homeschool When Everyone Has ADHD (And You’re Exhausted) March 31, 2026 Exhausted Homeschool Mom? 8 Things That Will Give You Hope March 24, 2026 Stop Second-Guessing as a Homeschool Mom (& Use Your Magic) March 17, 2026 “You’re Not Falling Apart. You’re in the Winter Homeschool Slump.” March 10, 2026 The Lies Homeschool Moms Believe That Makes Everything Harder March 2, 2026 You’re Not Failing. You’re Caught In An Inner Critic Loop. Here’s How to Get Out February 24, 2026 How to Stop People-Pleasing as a Homeschool Mom (One Mom’s Story) February 17, 2026 How to Stop the Inner Critic as a Homeschool Mom: The Charmed Life I Was Chasing (& the Pattern I Didn’t Know I Was Living) February 10, 2026 The Most Important Way to Take Care of Yourself as an Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom February 2, 2026 How to Do Kindergarten in Your Homeschool: A Fun & Effective Guide January 29, 2026 The Real Reason You’re Overwhelmed (It’s Not the Curriculum) January 26, 2026 Unexpected Feelings When Your Homeschooler Gets Accepted to University January 22, 2026 How to Stop Being a Hostage to Homeschool Pressure (& What to Do Instead) January 19, 2026 The Truth About Finding Your Homeschool Rhythm January 13, 2026 The Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast: Introducing the 1% Pivot January 6, 2026 Purpose-Driven Homeschool Planning for 2026: How to Recalibrate the Year with Clarity December 23, 2025 1% Shift to a Calm Homeschool Life December 23, 2025 12 Things I've Learned About Homeschool Moms: Self-Care Tips for Overwhelmed Homeschool Moms December 10, 2025 12-Day Homeschool Mom Self-Care Challenge to Come Back to Yourself December 2, 2025 What is the Reimagine Your Homeschool Group Coaching? November 18, 2025 Not Just a Homeschool Mom — Why You’re Disappearing (And How to Come Back) November 11, 2025 Teaching World War to a Homeschooled Eight Year Old November 10, 2025 Reimagine Your Homeschool: Feel Free, Inspire Curiosity and Do What Works November 5, 2025 the role of imagination in a home education November 4, 2025 Helping Our Kids Live Their Lives on Purpose: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms October 28, 2025 Subscribe to the Confident Homeschool Mom podcast YouTube Apple Audible Spotify Originally published April 22, 2026 | Updated June 29, 2026 Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventureLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){ var c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return "number"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);} f.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i); var _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()/1000000)); _.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https://static.mailerlite.com/js/universal.js', 'ml'); var ml_account = ml('accounts', '1815912', 'p9n9c0c7s5', 'load');

Are you ready to transform your homeschooling journey with the power of creativity and representation? Join Jae as he sits down with Toshi J, an actress and comic creator who is revolutionizing how we think about education and black identity in the arts. This episode explores how passion projects can become powerful teaching tools for the next generation.In this deep dive, Toshi shares her incredible transition from the theater stage to owning her own publishing house, Midnight Comics. You will learn how a simple frustration with anime endings led to a family business that prioritizes authentic storytelling and diverse characters. Toshi also breaks down her innovative methods for using comics to teach literacy and even mathematics, proving that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning.Beyond the books, we discuss the realities of homeschooling three children, including navigating education for a child with special needs and the importance of maintaining your own identity as a parent. From the benefits of graphic novels to using Dungeons and Dragons for reading comprehension, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical advice for every creative family.Chapters0:00 Introduction to Toshi J3:15 From acting to comic creation7:45 The birth of Midnight Comics12:30 Parenting and finding your identity16:10 Homeschooling a child with special needs20:45 Why public school was not the right fit24:20 Building a homeschool community28:50 Teaching math through comic books33:15 Literacy benefits of graphic novels38:00 Challenging the classic literature model42:30 The stories behind Midnight Comics characters47:15 Melanin Minds: Representing black women in comics51:40 Self-care tips for busy homeschool parents55:20 D and D and roleplaying for reading comprehension59:00 Final thoughts and where to find ToshiMake sure to visit the Midnight Comics website to support Toshi's work and check out the Melanin Minds podcast for more stories from black women in the industry. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the channel and leave a comment below about how you use creativity in your own homeschool lessons!#homeschooling #comicbooks #blackcreatives #education #parenting

What if fear is influencing more of your homeschooling decisions than you realize?When we're anxious about our children's future, it's easy to mistake fear for wisdom and urgency for insight.In this episode, Sue Patterson explores how fear can cloud our judgment, shape our homeschooling decisions, and make it difficult to separate what we're actually observing from what we're afraid might happen.If you've ever wondered whether you're responding to your child—or to your fear—this episode is for you.Need help sorting through your specific situation? Throughout June, Sue's 30-minute coaching calls are half price. Sometimes a conversation can help you separate what's actually happening from what fear is telling you might happen.http://www.suepatterson.as.me/june-special________________________________Read the transcript here:https://www.unschoolingmom2mom.com/making-homeschooling-decisions-out-of-fearLet me know what you think of this!Support the show_____________________________________________________You don't have to do this alone.Try Creating Confidence free for 7 days.Whether you prefer daily encouragement or a supportive community with live coaching, you can explore it all and see what fits your family best.Choose the level of support that fits you best—from daily encouragement to live coaching and community.Come spend a week with us!Creating Confidence OptionsUNSCHOOLING 101 CourseMath WITHOUT Curriculum CourseUnschooling Transcript CourseSeasonal Unschooling Guides Private 1:1 Coaching with Sue Stay Connected:Free Email List with weekly unschooling resourceswww.UnschoolingMom2Mom.com

What if the gift you've had since childhood was always meant to glorify God — you just didn't know it yet? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise sits down with Mercy Koimburi, a Kenyan Classical Conversations homeschool mom and professional photographer, to explore how creativity, faith, and classical education are more connected than you might think. Mercy shares how she discovered photography at age 11, how she uses it to capture emotion and tell stories of family and faith, and why she believes God placed that gift in her long before she had a name for it. From the math hidden inside every great photo — hello, Fibonacci sequence! — to how CC's classical framework shows up through her lens, this conversation is full of warm encouragement for homeschool moms who want to nurture the gifts in themselves and in their children. Mercy also opens up about her CC community in Kenya, what homeschool days look like on the other side of the world, and the Bible verses that have carried her through the hard days of the journey. Whether you have a budding young artist at home or you're still figuring out how your own gifts fit into your homeschool life, Mercy's story will leave you inspired and equipped. You don't have to have it all figured out — he gently leads those who have young. Tune in and be encouraged.   Find Mercy's photography work at: https://www.mercykoimburi.com/   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by: Classical Conversations just released "The Habits of a Classical Education"—the long-awaited successor to "The Core." This resource helps you naturally integrate the Five Core Habits into daily life, enabling classical, Christian education where relationships and lifelong learning flourish. It's here! Order your copy of "The Habits of a Classical Education: Practicing the Art of Grammar" at https://classicalconversationsbooks.com/products/the-habits-of-a-classical-education-practicing-the-art-of-grammar

Want to create a personalized homeschool high school that actually fits your teen? Ditch the one-size-fits-all model and design a meaningful high school experience built around their real interests, strengths, and goals. When my son was little, he was deeply into LEGO, Minecraft, and Roblox. Like many moms, I found myself wondering: Is he going to be an engineer? Of course, loving to build might simply mean enjoying creative play. But as he’s grown, those early interests have taken shape in surprising and evolving ways. Now 16, he’s fully immersed in AP Physics — passionately trying to explain its wonders to me, a mom who, let’s just say, opted out of physics altogether in high school. (In case you’re also not fluent in physics, it’s the study of how the universe works — from motion and matter to forces and energy. According to my teen, it’s the language behind roller coasters, rocket launches, and even coffee machines.) So naturally, we’ve started planning a post-secondary tour of local engineering programs. From LEGO to Fire Halls: How One Teen’s Interests Keep Evolving But then—plot twist—he began volunteering at our local rural fire hall. Thanks to a provincial grant, he's being paid to train and get hands-on with emergency equipment and fire safety. He's found joy in team dynamics, truck maintenance, and yes—gear talk. He recently took a First Responders weekend course, which excludes ER scenarios—but with his dad being an ER physician, their conversations now sound like a medical podcast when they're driving home together. Will he be an engineer, a paramedic, a firefighter, a physicist, or a doctor? The truth is—I don't know. And that's exactly the point. Why a Personalized Homeschool High School Starts With Who They Are Now Having raised and launched three older kids, I've learned that what excites them at 16 may not at 17—or 25. What matters is that they have space to explore who they are now—not who we think they should become later. And that's the heart of a personalized homeschool high school. https://youtu.be/BdmKJSIJFik?si=GbEThW6xFG6cVa9f Why a Personalized Homeschool High School Matters for Your Teen As a homeschool parent approaching the high school years, you might find yourself fielding questions from well-meaning relatives, friends, or strangers: “But what about college?” “How will they get a diploma?” “Aren't you worried about gaps in their education?” These questions come from a conventional lens—and they often miss the deeper, more meaningful reality of a personalized homeschool high school: an education that honours who your teen is, what they care about, and how they learn best. And yet, every time I share our story, I’m met with the same questions Building a Personalized Homeschool High School for Your Unique Teen The traditional high school model often follows a rigid formula: Four years. Prescribed courses. Standardized testing. College prep. But personalized homeschooling invites us to pause and ask more essential questions: Who is this teen in front of me? What are their natural strengths, curiosities, and goals? How do they learn best—and how can we make learning meaningful? This isn't about lowering the bar. It's about raising relevance. It's about designing a path that grows with your teen—not boxing them into a predetermined one-size-fits-all plan. The “Cover Everything” Myth in Homeschool High School A major source of anxiety for homeschool parents is the pressure to “cover everything”—to make sure there are no academic gaps. But here’s the truth: Even traditionally schooled students with perfect grades have gaps. Like you–because you have gaps, right? What matters most is not checking every box—it's cultivating a love of learning, teaching critical thinking, and giving teens the skills to learn what they need when they need it. As one seasoned homeschooler once told me: “Everyone has gaps. The difference is, homeschooled teens often know how to fill them.” Also, as a medical professional I’m married to once told me, “I can resuscitate you, but I don’t know how to build a chicken coop”. Gaps. Everyone’s got them. This is my daughter in the OR with my husband (in Africa)–until she was a high school senior, she wanted to attend medical school. Then she went to ballet school. But that’s for another story. Teen-Led Learning: The Heart of Personalized Homeschooling The high school years are a time of individuation—when teens start carving out an identity that's distinct from yours. That might look like questioning long-held family decisions, including homeschooling itself. Which is normal. Developmentally appropriate growth. (Although, also undeniably surprising at times, and definitely annoying at times too, just sayin’) Some teens might stick with homeschooling through high school. Others may want to try a co-op, community college class, or hybrid learning experience. Some may choose to return home again after testing new waters. And some might even pursue public or private school. A personalized homeschool high school allows flexibility. It meets your teen where they are. What If Your Homeschool High Schooler Changes Their Mind? Remember my 16-year-old and his physics + fire hall + medical training journey? He’s exploring, he’s sampling, and he’s curious. And guess what? That's exactly what these years are for. (Truly, I believe all of life can be, but I digress). Just because your teen is passionate about something now doesn't mean they'll stick with it forever. And just because we adults once chose a path at 17 doesn't mean we're still on it today. (Raise your hand if you've changed careers, callings, or creative pursuits since graduating high school.) We need to stop asking teens, “What will you do for the rest of your life?” Instead, we can ask, “What interests you right now—and how can I support you in exploring it?” Interest-Based Learning in Your Personalized Homeschool High School We often approach high school with tunnel vision focused on college preparation. Yet statistics show that 70-80% of college freshmen change their majors during their first year. Most adults aren’t working in the field they planned to enter at 18. This suggests we might better serve our teens by helping them: Discover their authentic interests and strengths Develop transferable skills like critical thinking and independent learning Gain real-world experience through internships, volunteering, or entrepreneurship Build a portfolio showcasing their capabilities and achievements Explore potential paths without premature commitment Personalized Homeschool High School Paths Beyond the 4-Year Degree Wondering how to personalize your teen's homeschool path in real-time? Here are some simple ways to begin: Interest Inventory: Ask your teen what they're curious about. What do they love doing in their free time? What subjects spark joy? Flexible Learning Plans: Tailor academics to include subjects or electives that support those interests—think architecture for a builder, creative writing for a storyteller, anatomy for a budding EMT. Real-World Experience: Look into internships, volunteer work, shadowing professionals, or community-based opportunities. Teen Involvement: Let them co-create their schedule, choose electives, and reflect on their goals. Portfolio Documentation: Keep records of their personalized learning projects, papers, courses, experiences, and reflections. Want to Feel More Confident While Supporting Your Teen's Growth? Transitioning into homeschooling high school can stir up doubts and fears—Can I really do this? What if I mess it up? That's why I created the Mindsets for Homeschool Moms Transitioning into High School workbook—a journaling and reflection tool to help you shift your mindset, clarify your role, and feel more grounded as you walk with your teen into these transformative years.

Two former public school teachers — and twin sisters — pull back the curtain on what really happens in a classroom of 25+ kids, including the one statistic that will change how you think about homeschooling forever. Kathy and Melissa share why they left teaching to homeschool their own children, why neither of them ever finished a curriculum in 30 years in the classroom, and how they turned the science of reading into a play-based system any parent can teach — no degree required. We cover special needs reading struggles, when to pull kids out (and when to put them back in), navigating SEL and gender ideology creeping into public schools, and how much one-on-one time actually moves the needle for your child's confidence and learning. Plus: practical tips for making phonics drills fun instead of painful. If you're second-guessing whether you're "enough" to homeschool your kids, this conversation will put that fear to rest.Find Kathy & Melissa:www.littleshoesacademy.comOur facebook group is https://www.facebook.com/groups/685911939807596Our instagram is https://www.instagram.com/littleshoesacademy/ Resources from Cheryl:

If you’ve spent your life being the good girl — the one who kept the peace, said yes when you meant no, and made sure everyone around you was okay — this episode is for you. Cycle-breaking for homeschool moms is less about a dramatic declaration and more about the quiet, courageous work of dissolving the patterns that were never yours to carry in the first place. And today’s conversation goes right to the heart of that. We go deep on how approval-seeking and over-responsibility quietly shape the entire atmosphere of your homeschool home — and why so many moms don’t see it until they’re completely depleted. In this conversation, I sit down with Diane Sorensen, Boundaries and Empowerment Coach and host of the Chaos to Connection podcast, to talk about what it really costs to be the “good girl” who became the “good mom” — and what it looks like to finally find your way back to yourself. Cycle-Breaking for Homeschool Moms: Why We Dissolve Patterns, Not Break Them Cycle-breaking for homeschool moms doesn’t happen overnight — and it doesn’t happen by sheer willpower. It happens one honest moment, one new skill, one held boundary at a time. The wake-up call that changed Diane’s life and work The difference between breaking cycles and dissolving patterns Why transformation is a slow accumulation of new skills, not a dramatic declaration From Homeschool Mom Burnout to Self-Trust: The Real Work of Cycle-Breaking Boundaries as a self-trust practice — not a rule you enforce on others Why the most compassionate women are also the most boundaried Emotions as the missing link — and what it means to finally come home to yourself “You are the common denominator” — and why that’s liberating, not shaming Prefer to watch? This conversation is also on YouTube — sometimes seeing the faces behind the words makes all the difference. https://youtu.be/2BpX39Bz9ro?si=QgdG8D_iHKP9VrT0 Connect with Diane Sorensen Email: dsorensen@dianesorensen.net Podcast: Chaos to Connection Website: www.dianesorensen.net Want to go deeper on people-pleasing as a homeschool mom? Start here. Exhausted Homeschool Mom? 8 Things That Will Give You Hope You're Not Failing—You're Just Carrying Too Much | Overcome Homeschool Burnout How to Stop the Inner Critic as a Homeschool Mom: The Charmed Life I Was Chasing (& the Pattern I Didn't Know I Was Living) Life Coaching for Homeschool Moms: Feel Like Yourself Again You're Not Failing. You're Caught In An Inner Critic Loop. Here's How to Get Out 1% Shift to a Calm Homeschool Life The People-Pleasing Trap Every Homeschool Mom Falls Into How to Stop People-Pleasing as a Homeschool Mom (One Mom's Story) The Lies Homeschool Moms Believe That Make Everything Harder This work doesn’t have to happen alone. The Aligned Homeschool Reset Session is a free 30-minute call where we look at what’s really underneath the overwhelm — and what it might look like to start trusting yourself again. → Book Your Free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session Book your free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session I help homeschool moms release pressure, edit expectations, and make small, intentional shifts that lead to a more confident and connected homeschool life. Book a Free Aligned Homeschool Reset Latest episodes You’re Invited to the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026 July 14, 2026 Post-Partum Overwhelm in Your Homeschool: 12 Ways to Cope July 12, 2026 A 2023 High School Graduate’s Thoughts on her Homeschool Life July 11, 2026 What It’s Like? The Homeschool to High School Transition July 11, 2026 Navigate Homeschool High School (What You Need to Know) July 7, 2026 How to Set Realistic High School Expectations? Learn Human Development July 3, 2026 Declutter Your Homeschool Mama Mind: Overwhelm to On Purpose July 2, 2026 How to Handle Homeschool Criticism With Confidence June 29, 2026 How to Create a Personalized Homeschool High School That Fits Your Teen June 23, 2026 The Real Cost Of Being The “Good Girl” Who Became The Good Mom June 16, 2026 What Is an Education Anyway? Your Answer Changes Your Homeschool June 8, 2026 5 Reasons Your Homeschool Child Won’t Do Work & How to Motivate Your Child June 2, 2026 Crush 1st-Year Homeschool Frustrations and Plan a Smooth Year 2 May 30, 2026 Encouragement for Homeschool Moms in the 1st Year May 30, 2026 Transitioning into Homeschool High School: What We're Really Talking About May 26, 2026 Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning BC: What Really Matters May 19, 2026 Homeschool Year End Review: Celebrating your Success & Growth May 12, 2026 When You Buy New Homeschool Curriculum: 5 Clever Suggestions May 6, 2026 The Truth About Homeschooling the “Right Way” — But What Works May 5, 2026 9 Steps to Thrive: Confident Homeschool Mom in Year 1 April 28, 2026 What If Your Unrealistic Expectations Are Actually Your Greatest Asset? April 21, 2026 Overcome Imposter Syndrome: How to Build Confidence as a Homeschool Mom April 14, 2026 How to Get Started Homeschooling in 2026 April 11, 2026 9 Mistakes That Make Your 1st Homeschool Year Stressful (& How to Avoid Them) April 9, 2026 How to Make Confident Homeschool Decisions (Without Seeking Permission) April 7, 2026 How to Homeschool When Everyone Has ADHD (And You’re Exhausted) March 31, 2026 Exhausted Homeschool Mom? 8 Things That Will Give You Hope March 24, 2026 Stop Second-Guessing as a Homeschool Mom (& Use Your Magic) March 17, 2026 “You’re Not Falling Apart. You’re in the Winter Homeschool Slump.” March 10, 2026 The Lies Homeschool Moms Believe That Makes Everything Harder March 2, 2026 You’re Not Failing. You’re Caught In An Inner Critic Loop. Here’s How to Get Out February 24, 2026 How to Stop People-Pleasing as a Homeschool Mom (One Mom’s Story) February 17, 2026 How to Stop the Inner Critic as a Homeschool Mom: The Charmed Life I Was Chasing (& the Pattern I Didn’t Know I Was Living) February 10, 2026 The Most Important Way to Take Care of Yourself as an Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom February 2, 2026 How to Do Kindergarten in Your Homeschool: A Fun & Effective Guide January 29, 2026 The Real Reason You’re Overwhelmed (It’s Not the Curriculum) January 26, 2026 Unexpected Feelings When Your Homeschooler Gets Accepted to University January 22, 2026 How to Stop Being a Hostage to Homeschool Pressure (& What to Do Instead) January 19, 2026 The Truth About Finding Your Homeschool Rhythm January 13, 2026 The Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast: Introducing the 1% Pivot January 6, 2026 Purpose-Driven Homeschool Planning for 2026: How to Recalibrate the Year with Clarity December 23, 2025 1% Shift to a Calm Homeschool Life December 23, 2025 12 Things I've Learned About Homeschool Moms: Self-Care Tips for Overwhelmed Homeschool Moms December 10, 2025 12-Day Homeschool Mom Self-Care Challenge to Come Back to Yourself December 2, 2025 What is the Reimagine Your Homeschool Group Coaching? November 18, 2025 Not Just a Homeschool Mom — Why You’re Disappearing (And How to Come Back) November 11, 2025 Teaching World War to a Homeschooled Eight Year Old November 10, 2025 Reimagine Your Homeschool: Feel Free, Inspire Curiosity and Do What Works November 5, 2025 the role of imagination in a home education November 4, 2025 Helping Our Kids Live Their Lives on Purpose: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms October 28, 2025 Subscribe to the Confident Homeschool Mom podcast YouTube Apple Audible Spotify Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventureLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){ var c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return "number"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);} f.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i); var _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()/1000000)); _.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https://static.mailerlite.com/js/universal.js', 'ml'); var ml_account = ml('accounts', '1815912', 'p9n9c0c7s5', 'load');

So many of us worry we're not doing enough when it comes to homeschooling—but what if simply choosing this path is already a powerful step in the right direction? In this encouraging conversation, I talk with Ginny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside about her newest book and the deep confidence that can come from stepping outside the system. We explore how real learning often looks like play, boredom, creativity, and curiosity—how our kids naturally fill in the gaps over time, and how the freedom to pursue their own interests can lead to unexpected and incredible outcomes. If you've ever doubted your ability to homeschool well, this episode will remind you that you're doing more right than you think.In this episode, we cover:How Ginny accidentally started a global movement—and why it resonates so deeply with familiesThe heart behind her new book Homeschooling: You're Doing It Right Just by Doing ItWhat we miss when we follow the standard school model—and the surprising freedom of unlearning itThe one message every anxious or burnt-out homeschool parent needs to hearWhat if the thing you're worried is a “deficit” is actually your child's biggest advantage?Why qualities like creativity and empathy will matter more than grades in the world our kids are growing up inWhat boredom, unstructured time, and “doing nothing” are actually teaching your childWhat's lost when childhood is spent only with same-age peers—and what kids gain from growing up alongside babies and toddlersWhy your kids need to see you building, learning, trying—and even failingEveryone has educational gaps... so what really matters in the long run?When you trust the process, learning shows up in the most beautiful and unexpected waysThe amazing story of how Ginny's daughter became a certified personal trainer at just 15Why homeschooling doesn't have to look like anyone else's—and that's the pointView full show notes on the blog + watch this episode on YouTube.RESOURCES MENTIONEDUntil the Streetlights Come On by Ginny YurichHomeschooling: You're Doing It Right By Just Doing It by Ginny YurichLearning All the Time by John Holt UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me-World by Michelle BorbaGenerative Artificial Intelligence: What Everyone Needs to Know by Jerry Kaplan Listen to my two episodes with Julie Kreke about delight directed learning:- Give Your Children the Gift of Lifelong Learning (Episode 270)- Transform Your Homeschool Days with Delight Directed Learning (Episode 184)Join my FREE masterclass to learn my 4-step framework for making money on YouTubeMaster the rhythm of sourdough with confidence in my Simple Sourdough courseGain the sewing knowledge and skills every homemaker needs in my Simple Sewing seriesTurn your content creation dreams into a profitable business with my YouTube Success AcademyKeep all my favorite sourdough recipes at your fingertips in my Daily Sourdough cookbookCONNECTGinny Yurich of 1000 Hours Outside | Website | Instagram | Facebook | X | Youtube | PodcastLisa Bass of Farmhouse on Boone | Blog | YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | PinterestDo you have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast? A guest you'd like me to interview? Submit your questions and ideas here: bit.ly/SFLquestions.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What Is an Education Anyway — And Who Gets to Decide? Forget every notion you have been told about what an education is. I want to ask you something I ask every single woman I work with in coaching. What do you believe an education is? And the second question — the one that tends to stop people cold: What did you believe an education was before you started homeschooling? Most of us never actually chose our definition of education. We absorbed it. From school, from our parents, from the culture around us. And then we built an entire homeschool on top of it. And then we wondered why it felt so heavy. And if you’re just starting out and wondering where to begin — I made something for exactly that. The 7-Day Confident Homeschool Roadmap is a free guide that walks you through your first year with clarity rather than overwhelm. Grab it below. Get your free 7-Day Confident Homeschool Mom Roadmap What Is an Education Anyway? The Definition Most of Us Inherited If you grew up in a conventional school system, your working definition probably sounds something like this: Education is the successful delivery of academic content across subjects. Demonstrated through coverage, completion, and measurable progress. Coverage. Completion. No gaps. Not falling behind. Making sure it’s enough. Sound familiar? That definition is exhausting. And it’s not even working in schools. Teachers leave many pages of their curriculum undone at the end of every year. There are interruptions. Substitute teachers. Sick days. Stops and starts. There is no perfectly covered, hundred-percent-completed, no-gaps education happening in a classroom either. And the very academic kids who were force-fed information and tested weekly? How much of that actually stuck? How much of it translated into a purposeful, meaningful life? It is not possible to create a perfectly covered education. Not in a school. Not in your homeschool. The sooner you stop measuring yourself against that standard, the sooner you can build something that actually works. If this is landing for you and you want to hear me unpack it further — I’m also diving into this on my YouTube channel. Same episode, same conversation. Watch it here → https://youtu.be/1T8pINVSeXc Do You Need a Teaching Degree to Define Your Child’s Education? And if you question whether you have the intelligence to answer that question — don’t be in self-doubt. Of course you do. This is your child. Does it seem daunting? It likely does. But it doesn’t have to. I’ve stopped counting the number of times I’ve been asked if I’m a certified teacher. Nope. I’m not. Does being a certified teacher enable me to educate my children better at home? Nope. It doesn’t. In fact, statistically, being a certified teacher has no bearing on a child’s home education. Teachers have classroom management skills. They know standardized learning materials. They have years of experience that homeschooling parents might not have in the beginning — and I am not denying those skills for a moment. But it doesn’t mean I’m not more motivated to learn how to engage my children’s education than someone else. When I asked a kindergarten teacher about Grade 2 math, she didn’t know what to say. When I asked a high school English teacher how to approach a history discussion with an elementary-aged child, she was stumped too. Turns out, teachers don’t have the full breadth of knowledge either. And I’m certainly not claiming to either. Why do we think we need to? Google doesn’t have it all. Neither does YouTube. But both are pretty helpful. And when they aren’t, there are always books. Lots and lots and LOTS of books. You just need to know where to find the information. A little research and it’s findable.  So Where Do You Find What You Need? When I was in junior high, we bought our first computer: a Tandy EX 1000. The only computer training we had was a Logo program that did next to nothing for me. I attempted to wield x’s and o’s. I’m pretty sure they meant something, but I didn’t understand. Some thirty years later, anyone who wants to know how to use a computer knows. Anyone who wants to know how to Google, YouTube, Facebook, Tweet — they figured it out. Why? Because they found out, by themselves. Tada. The human mind is capable of figuring things out because it wants to. P.S. You might wonder how I went about structuring a thirteen-year-old’s academic education. Self-Education: The Heart of What an Education Really Is Why do we assume kids need everything taught to them? We assume something needs to be done to them. Before anyone sat them down and formally taught them anything, they had already learned animals, language, and how to navigate relationships. In their first year. Their second. Their fifth — long before they ever walked through a kindergarten door. Kids want to learn. It’s simply what they do. When we ask the question — what is an education anyway? — we’ve just begun to really consider who our children are and what they need. And that is exactly what Charlotte Mason was pointing to. What Is an Education Anyway? Here’s What Charlotte Mason Said. “Self-education is the only possible education; the rest is mere veneer laid on the surface of a child’s nature.” — Charlotte Mason I have returned to this quote more times than I can count. Because it points to something we already know intuitively. We keep forgetting it when we sit down at the kitchen table and default to the curriculum, the workbooks, the boxes of books, the online programs everyone else is using. Your job is not to pour information into a vessel. Your job is to raise up the child right in front of you. So what does that actually look like in a real homeschool? Here’s one mom’s answer. What Does Real Home Education Actually Look Like? A mom I worked with had been homeschooling for six years, three kids, and had done a lot of the external work — curriculum, systems, showing up every day. And then she went deeper and found her own answer to the question of what an education really is: “Education is a process of exposure to knowledge while learning involves personal processing and growth. Character traits like discernment, self-confidence, and self-management are important outcomes that continue developing long beyond formal education years.” She also said something that stopped me: “Even if no one was watching or assessing my approach, I would maintain similar objectives and methods.” She has found her own answer — not borrowed from the school system, not borrowed from a curriculum company. Entirely hers. And that is what I want for you. For me, the answer starts in the same place it always has — in wanting to engage my child, teach them when necessary, and capture their little hearts. I am most definitely motivated to do that. And so are you. That’s why you’re here. Want to keep going? This conversation continues on my Rethinking Education YouTube channel. Find it here → https://youtu.be/lkFJglpaoqs What is an education anyway? What Is an Education Anyway? Questions to Sit With This Week As you move through your week, gently ask yourself: What definition of education am I actually operating from right now? Did I choose it — or did I absorb it? Where might I be able to trust what is already working in my child? If no one was watching or assessing my homeschool, would I do anything differently? You don’t need to answer all of it today. Just noticing is already meaningful work. Want to Go Deeper? If this post resonated, the podcast episode What Is an Education Anyway? goes much further — including the five shifts I see happen when a homeschool mom finally loosens the grip of a definition that was never really hers, and what it looks like when peace replaces pressure in a real homeschool home. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. When you’re ready to take the next step, here are three ways I can help: If you’re in your first year — start with the free 7-Day Confident Homeschool Roadmap. It will give you a clear, grounded foundation so you begin with confidence rather than overwhelm. If you’ve been homeschooling for a while and something feels off — take the quiz to identify the real root of your frustration. It’s free and takes five minutes. And if you’re ready for a real reset — book your free Aligned Homeschool Reset session. This is where we get clear on what’s actually going on in your homeschool and your life — and you walk away with a whole lot more peace than you arrived with. Teresa Wiedrick is a certified life coach and graduated homeschool mom who supports homeschool moms in building a life — not just a lesson plan. Her work focuses inward, because most homeschool overwhelm has nothing to do with curriculum. Book your free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session I help homeschool moms trust themselves, edit expectations, and make intentional choices that create a more confident, connected, and present homeschool life. Book your Reset Session with Teresa People also ask… Self-Directed Learning: the Art of Encouraging Independent Homeschooling Building Connection with Tamara Strijack of the Neufeld Institute Is there an art and a science to an education? Why Seasoned Homeschool Moms Still Struggle (And How to Break Free) How do I unschool my child: 5 ways to move toward it in your homeschool Can you homeschool without a homeschool room? “Should I Homeschool My Child?” Here's What You Need to Know Why You're Losing Confidence as a Homeschool Mom (and How to Get It Back) How I transitioned from homeschool to public high school 5 suggestions about buying a new curriculum How to Start Homeschooling Confidently in Year 1 What's the connection between self-directed learning & free play? Latest episodes What Is an Education Anyway? Your Answer Changes Your Homeschool June 8, 2026 5 Reasons Your Homeschool Child Won’t Do Work & How to Motivate Your Child June 2, 2026 Crush 1st-Year Homeschool Frustrations and Plan a Smooth Year 2 May 30, 2026 Encouragement for Homeschool Moms in the 1st Year May 30, 2026 Transitioning into Homeschool High School: What We're Really Talking About May 26, 2026 Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning BC: What Really Matters May 19, 2026 Homeschool Year End Review: Celebrating your Success & Growth May 12, 2026 When You Buy New Homeschool Curriculum: 5 Clever Suggestions May 6, 2026 The Truth About Homeschooling the “Right Way” — But What Works May 5, 2026 9 Steps to Thrive: Confident Homeschool Mom in Year 1 April 28, 2026 What If Your Unrealistic Expectations Are Actually Your Greatest Asset? April 21, 2026 Overcome Imposter Syndrome: How to Build Confidence as a Homeschool Mom April 14, 2026 How to Get Started Homeschooling in 2026 April 11, 2026 9 Mistakes That Make Your 1st Homeschool Year Stressful (& How to Avoid Them) April 9, 2026 How to Make Confident Homeschool Decisions (Without Seeking Permission) April 7, 2026 How to Homeschool When Everyone Has ADHD (And You’re Exhausted) March 31, 2026 Exhausted Homeschool Mom? 8 Things That Will Give You Hope March 24, 2026 Stop Second-Guessing as a Homeschool Mom (& Use Your Magic) March 17, 2026 “You’re Not Falling Apart. You’re in the Winter Homeschool Slump.” March 10, 2026 The Lies Homeschool Moms Believe That Makes Everything Harder March 2, 2026 You’re Not Failing. You’re Caught In An Inner Critic Loop. Here’s How to Get Out February 24, 2026 How to Stop People-Pleasing as a Homeschool Mom (One Mom’s Story) February 17, 2026 How to Stop the Inner Critic as a Homeschool Mom: The Charmed Life I Was Chasing (& the Pattern I Didn’t Know I Was Living) February 10, 2026 The Most Important Way to Take Care of Yourself as an Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom February 2, 2026 How to Do Kindergarten in Your Homeschool: A Fun & Effective Guide January 29, 2026 The Real Reason You’re Overwhelmed (It’s Not the Curriculum) January 26, 2026 Unexpected Feelings When Your Homeschooler Gets Accepted to University January 22, 2026 How to Stop Being a Hostage to Homeschool Pressure (& What to Do Instead) January 19, 2026 The Truth About Finding Your Homeschool Rhythm January 13, 2026 The Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast: Introducing the 1% Pivot January 6, 2026 Purpose-Driven Homeschool Planning for 2026: How to Recalibrate the Year with Clarity December 23, 2025 1% Shift to a Calm Homeschool Life December 23, 2025 12 Things I've Learned About Homeschool Moms: Self-Care Tips for Overwhelmed Homeschool Moms December 10, 2025 12-Day Homeschool Mom Self-Care Challenge to Come Back to Yourself December 2, 2025 What is the Reimagine Your Homeschool Group Coaching? November 18, 2025 Not Just a Homeschool Mom — Why You’re Disappearing (And How to Come Back) November 11, 2025 Teaching World War to a Homeschooled Eight Year Old November 10, 2025 Reimagine Your Homeschool: Feel Free, Inspire Curiosity and Do What Works November 5, 2025 the role of imagination in a home education November 4, 2025 Helping Our Kids Live Their Lives on Purpose: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms October 28, 2025 How to Set Realistic High School Expectations? Learn Human Development October 20, 2025 How to Build Homeschool Routines that Support YOU October 14, 2025 Why Deschooling? To Feel Confident, Certain & Good Enough October 7, 2025 The Ultimate Guide to Building Boundaries and Healthy Relationships for Homeschool Moms September 23, 2025 Ultimate Homeschool Overwhelm Quiz That Reveals Your Hidden Stress Triggers in 5 Minutes September 15, 2025 Start Homeschooling in British Columbia: How to Decide September 9, 2025 How to Create an Effective Homeschool Routine that Works for You September 2, 2025 Interest-Led Homeschool for Confident Moms: An Enneagram 8 Mom's Story of Growth August 28, 2025 How Do I Unschool My Child? 5 Simple Steps to Set Them Free August 19, 2025 Top Tips for New Homeschool Moms in Season 3 August 11, 2025 Subscribe to the Confident Homeschool Mom podcast YouTube Apple Audible Spotify Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventureLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){ var c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return "number"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);} f.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i); var _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()/1000000)); _.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https://static.mailerlite.com/js/universal.js', 'ml'); var ml_account = ml('accounts', '1815912', 'p9n9c0c7s5', 'load');

Do you keep moving the imaginary goal post? You might not realize it, but so many of us are chasing success while accidentally training our nervous system to stay in a state of pressure and urgency.... not giving ourselves a chance to celebrate, to reflect on our results, and to consciously step into our next goal.  Well, that changes today. We are dismantling the "reward system" of achievement and no longer trading our health for results.  Push play to stop waiting for the finish line and start becoming the woman who can hold massive success - and massive peace - simultaneously.   PS. CLICK HERE to start holding the frequency of peace and groundedness now so you can start creating success through alignment. 

In this episode of Everyday Educator, hosts Amy Jones and Delise Germond sit down with author Abbey Wedgeworth (Help, I'm Ruining My Kids) to talk about what every homeschool mom actually needs heading into summer — a soul that's as prepared as your curriculum. Together they explore gospel-centered motherhood, the hidden ways our own sin and unhealed wounds show up in our homeschools, and why community is the lifeline homeschool moms can't afford to skip. Whether you're a new homeschool mom wrestling with your first year or a seasoned classical education parent facing a hard season, this conversation will remind you that the gospel is good news for your motherhood too — imperfections, meltdowns, and all. Abbey also shares insights from her book Help, I'm Ruining My Kids: A Gospel Guide for the Mom Who's Desperate for Change — a must-read for any mom who's ever wondered if she's doing more harm than good.   Resources: Abbey Wedgeworth's Website   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by Classical Conversations' new 2026 Product Line: This April, Classical Conversations launched an exciting portfolio of new products designed to strengthen math fluency, develop critical reasoning skills, and equip families with practical tools for classical, Christian homeschooling. From flashcard resources and reasoning curriculum to hands-on manipulatives and a foundational parent resource, these releases deepen the classical learning journey for families at every level. Visit ClassicalConversations.com/WhatsNew/ to explore the entire April 2026 product collection and start strengthening your family's classical, Christian education today.  

When your homeschool child won't do work, it's rarely just about laziness—it often signals a deeper need for curiosity, connection, and meaningful engagement. If you're a homeschool mom, you've probably said or thought something like: “My kids don't really care about their lessons. They just want to get through it so they can get on their screens.”“I think my daughter only enjoys going to coop because of her friends, not any actual learning.”“He races through his work without engaging—he's just checking boxes.”“There's outright resistance now. I don't know if it's the work or if it's me or if he’s just rebellious.” These situations are very common, not unusual. And the question behind them is universal: how do you help your child become an independent learner who is genuinely curious and engaged—not someone who treats learning like a chore to avoid? If this resonates with you, a great first step is my free Deschool Your Homeschool Checklist, which helps you step back from school-y thinking, reconnect with how your child naturally learns, and create space for curiosity, calm, and connection. Grab your free Deschool Checklist and Help Your Kids Love Learning 5 Reasons Why Your Homeschool Child Won't Do Work Reason 1: When Your Homeschool Child Won’t Do Work — Learning Feels Like a Chore Many children resist because they've learned to associate “learning” with compliance or tedium. They may rush through assignments just to get them done or outright refuse work that doesn't interest them. To be fair, we adults do that too. When someone says, “Hey, you know what would make tax season easier and more satisfying? Take a course on filing your taxes.” Interesting, you think, and clever, that’s exactly what I should do! (No, you don’t think that. You think, naw, thanks, I’ll do what I have to do until next tax season.) Can I hear an amen? ps don’t respond if you actually enjoy doing taxes, ha–it won’t serve my point;) Well, ditto for your kids. Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck explains that a fixed mindset develops when children feel their worth is tied to “doing it right.” In these cases, resistance is not a character flaw—it's a protective response. What you can do: Follow your child's curiosity whenever possible. Show them that learning happens everywhere: in the kitchen, in nature, in everyday problem-solving. Reason 2: When Your Homeschool Child Won't Do Work—Check Your Own Motivation First Kids are highly sensitive to the adults around them. If you're scattered, anxious, or uninspired, they pick up on it. Angela Duckworth, author of Grit, notes that parents who raise resilient, motivated children model passion and perseverance in their own lives. And isn’t that what we all want? This homeschool lifestyle isn’t just equipping our kids to do live a purposeful life, it’s offering us that opportunity too! (And I encourage you to take it!) What you can do: Reconnect with your own curiosity and goals. Are you motivated? What gets you up in the morning? Model learning and persistence in ways your child can observe. Show them you're engaged by joining a book club, starting your own business, or simply signing up for a class at the local community college. Show them that you're learning math concept right alongside them (or whatever other topic you find challenging, I chose math because I had to learn it before I taught it

Holocaust education is required by law in dozens of American states — but the tools to teach it haven't kept pace with the students who need to receive it. Rabbi Michael Beyo and Dr. Simon Young founded Six Million Voices to close that gap. Using museum-grade photorealistic 360-degree reconstructions — no VR headset, no app, just a browser — they take students inside Auschwitz, the Warsaw Ghetto, the synagogues burned on Kristallnacht, and the streets of a Jewish world that no longer exists. More than 350,000 people have been reached. Over 70,000 are high school students.Laurie Cardoza-Moore sat down with both men at NRB 2026 for a conversation that goes deeper than technology. The story of the Jewish people does not begin with the Holocaust and it does not end there. It begins with Abraham. And for Christians, understanding that story — honestly, fully, without flinching — is not optional. It is biblical. Learn more at SixMillionVoices.orgFollow on Spreaker, share this episode, and support the work of PJTN at PJTN.org.00:00 She Asked Her German Grandmother — and Was Told Never to Speak of It00:33 Welcome to Proclaiming Justice Podcast01:09 Introducing Rabbi Michael Beyo & Dr. Simon Young of Six Million Voices02:22 Why the Church Was Silent — and What Laurie Set Out to Discover03:15 How Six Million Voices Brings Holocaust History to Life04:36 Why Today's Generation Needs More Than a Documentary06:12 350,000 Reached: Auschwitz, Kristallnacht, and the Warsaw Ghetto Rebuilt07:28 Walking the Streets of a Jewish World That No Longer Exists09:09 No VR Required: How the Platform Works on Any Device10:06 Telling the Stories of Israel, the Holy Land, and Where Jesus Walked11:07 The Response — and Why the Jewish Story Starts With Abraham11:56 The Inquisition, PJTN Content, and What Six Million Voices Can Build Together13:33 How to Access Six Million Voices: 6millionvoices.org14:00 Closing — For Teachers, Homeschool Moms, and Sunday School TeachersDon't forget to subscribe, rate, and share to help us equip more Christians to stand with Israel and fight antisemitism.✨ Stay connected with PJTN! ✨

What if the problems in public school weren't accidents? What if low literacy rates, changing math standards, social emotional learning, and ideological curriculum were all part of a plan that started over a hundred years ago?This week Cheryl sits down with Nicki Truesdell — a second generation homeschooler who has been in the homeschool world since 1983 and has been homeschooling her own five kids since the year 2000. Nicki is the author of Anyone Can Homeschool and Home Sweet Homeschool, and runs Knowledge Keeper's Bookstore where she reprints rare out-of-print American history books to get the real story back into people's hands.In this episode they break down three books every parent needs to read:The Underground History of American Education by John Taylor GattoCrimes of the Educators by Alex Newman and Sam BlumenfeldThe Marxification of Education by James LindsayYou'll learn how the American education system was deliberately redesigned in the early 1900s by the Rockefellers, Carnegie, and the Education Trust to produce workers instead of thinkers — and how that agenda is still playing out in classrooms today through critical pedagogy, SEL, Common Core, and lowered test standards.Nicki also shares how she homeschooled as a single mom, why she believes homeschooling is the capitalist form of education, and how homeschool parents are learning the real version of American history right alongside their kids.If you've ever wondered whether pulling your kids out of school was the right call — this episode will remove any doubt.Connect with Nicki -- ⁠YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nickitruesdell1 Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nicki-truesdell-podcast/id1798330030Homeschool 101⁠ https://nickitruesdell.com/homeschool-101/ ⁠Homeschool Consultations⁠ https://nickitruesdell.com/homeschool-consulting/ ⁠  Get her books:⁠Anyone Can Homeschool⁠ on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible! https://amzn.to/4fnSWs8Home Sweet Homeschool on Amazon and Kindle https://amzn.to/4qY4zMbKnowledge Keepers Bookstore: https://knowledgekeepersbookstore.com/ FARM FOOD FREEDOM Event: https://maxkane.com/eventsResources from Cheryl:

Have you ever thought, “I want more time for fun with my kids,” and then immediately felt tired? Fun sounds beautiful, but in real life it can start to feel like one more thing to plan, one more thing to pay for, one more thing to clean up, and one more thing to manage. In this episode, I'm talking about simple joys for real-life motherhood — the kind that fit real budgets, real energy levels, real homes, and real family seasons. I share a few ways our family has been finding small moments of connection lately, from discount movie dates with one child, to a paint-by-number project on the table, to walks, read-alouds, audiobooks, and family room time. And I want to be clear: fun does not always have to become a lesson. Sometimes learning is found in the fun, and homeschool moms can record those things later if they want to. But sometimes the gift is simply being together. If you've been wanting more fun with your kids but you do not have the energy for a big plan, this episode will help you look for one small thing that fits your real life. Mentioned in this episode: Road Trip Mysteries: USA Edition — a screen-free, story-driven activity adventure book for kids ages 8–12, filled with puzzles, clues, history, geography, and mystery.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGL7T6LH Movie Schooling — a resource for families who enjoy using movies as part of meaningful learning, discussion, and connection.https://www.amazon.com/Movie-Schooling-Curriculum-Style-Education-Organized-Activities/dp/B0FHZR72T1 XOXO, Katie

What if you didn't have to please everyone? Good news is... you don't.  High achieving moms often fall into the people pleaser trap, but carrying the mental load of everyone else's expectations creates a "gross energy" of resentment that actually repels abundance. So we are diving into the power of mindful boundaries and how to transition from depletion to reciprocal energy.  Push play to learn how to speak your truth and create the grounded, solid energy that money loves to be around!   PS. Ready to see the "forest in the trees" and create a bigger vision for your life? BOOK YOUR CALL

Let's be real—transitioning into homeschool high school feels big. It doesn't matter how many years you've been at this. That shift from middle school to high school brings with it a swirl of emotions: uncertainty, excitement, fear of missing something, and sometimes—let's be honest—a bit of guilt. Pin those thoughts in your mind for a moment as I share with you a conversation we recently had in the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective. It was a rich, heartfelt conversation about this very season. And the stories shared were so resonant, I knew I had to write to them. One homeschool mama said: “Oof, high school… well, Viv is starting 7th grade and I feel like we're already behind.

Somewhere between the fear, the questions, the budget concerns, and the overwhelming feeling of “I could never do this,” thousands of ordinary moms are quietly building beautiful lives with their kids at home. In this deeply encouraging conversation, Annette Vaughn shares the story behind Dear Homeschool Mom, a collection of letters from more than 50 homeschool mothers across the country who open up about doubt, sacrifice, socialization, burnout, identity, flexibility, and the surprising joy that keeps them going. Ginny and Annette talk honestly about what homeschooling actually looks like in real life, why the “why” matters so much, and how the sacrifices on paper often become gifts you never could have predicted. This episode feels like sitting across the table from someone who says, “You're not crazy. You can do this.” Learn more about Annette's book Dear Homeschool Mom here and the HSLDA Compassion Grant at HSLDA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it actually look like to homeschool five kids across wildly different ages — while running a business, managing a rambunctious toddler, and doing it all on one income?This week I'm joined by Amanda, a homeschool mom of five from St. Augustine, Florida. Amanda started homeschooling when her family left Germany in 2020 — one week before the world shut down. What felt like a leap of faith turned out to be the best thing she ever did.We talk about:→ Why Amanda and her husband felt called to homeschool even before COVID→ What it's really like managing school with multiple ages under one roof (spoiler: it's not always pretty)→ How Florida's PEP Scholarship is a total game-changer for families homeschooling on one income→ The year-round model that actually relieved her stress→ How she built Giplings — her small business inspired entirely by her homeschool journey→ The car conversations, the lizard hunts, and the little moments that are the real educationWhether you're just starting out or years in, Amanda's honesty about the chaos — and why she wouldn't trade it — will leave you feeling seen.Find Amanda + Giplings:Website: https://giplings.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giplings/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giplingsYouTube: https://youtube.com/@giplingsWholesale: giplings.faire.comResources from Cheryl:

Have you ever finally had a little help, quiet, or breathing room, and instead of resting, your brain immediately started listing everything you could get done? The laundry. The dishes. The paperwork. The homeschool planning. The phone calls. The clutter. All the things that have been waiting because the needs in front of you were louder. In this episode, I'm talking about why rest can feel so hard for tired homeschool moms — especially when there is unfinished work everywhere and real people still need you. I share honestly about learning this in my own life as a homeschool mom, Navy wife, and special needs mom who is learning how to run a caregiving marathon without using every pocket of help to work harder. This is not a “take a spa day” episode. It is a gentle reminder that rest is not laziness when it helps you return to your family with more patience, steadiness, and love. If you have been feeling guilty for needing a break, I pray this episode helps you receive one small moment of rest as part of faithful stewardship. Mentioned in this episode: Road Trip Mysteries: USA Edition — a screen-free, story-driven activity adventure book for kids ages 8–12, filled with puzzles, clues, history, geography, and mystery.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGL7T6LH Movie Schooling — a resource for families who enjoy using movies as part of meaningful learning, discussion, and connection.https://www.amazon.com/Movie-Schooling-Curriculum-Style-Education-Organized-Activities/dp/B0FHZR72T1 XOXO, Katie

Procrastination doesn't just cost you time, it creates an energy that actually blocks money.  When we delay for tomorrow what can be done today, we are setting our minds to believe we are the kind of people who don't keep promises to ourselves, which directly impacts our income flow. When you have the catalyst to shift you out of self created chaos and into a state of aligned follow through, you can feel accomplished and truly productive. By reverse engineering into the feeling of being ahead, you activate the version of yourself who is highly successful and ready to receive abundance.  Push play to stop the productivity illusion... and start allowing time to be the asset that fuels your money making legacy.   PS. Take the TIME TURNER QUIZ to start managing your time in a magical new way.

In this episode of the Twiniversity Podcast, Natalie talks with Christy-Faith, homeschool advocate, author of Homeschool Rising, education expert, and twin mom, about home-based learning, school-aged twins, and why homeschooling looks very different today than it did a generation ago. Christy-Faith shares her own path to motherhood, including secondary infertility, IVF, fraternal twin girls, a surprise fourth baby, and the hard reality of parenting twins through the early years. She also opens up about her professional background in education, including running a learning intervention and tutoring center in Los Angeles before eventually choosing home education for her own family. Natalie and Christy-Faith talk honestly about the fears many parents have around homeschooling - socialization, academics, family support, whether it is “too weird,” and whether parents are qualified to do it. Christy explains why she prefers the term home-based education, because modern homeschooling can include co-ops, live online classes, outside teachers, homeschool pods, interest-led learning, and a strong community. The conversation also explores what happens when school is not working for your child. Natalie shares her own regrets about not exploring more flexible school options when her twins were younger, including the feeling that her kids were on a “runaway horse” in a system that did not always fit who they were. This episode is a validating and thought-provoking conversation for twin parents who are questioning the traditional school path, wondering what options exist, or simply wanting permission to ask: Is there another way to educate my kids? Connect with Guest: Website: https://christy-faith.com Book: Homeschool Rising - https://christy-faith.com/book-homeschool-rising ⭐ New to Christy-Faith? Start with Episode 101 - the New Homeschooler Series is the best place to begin.https://youtu.be/K9XUTDsiB70 The Christy-Faith Show www.youtube.com/@christy-faithtiktok.com/@christy_faithinstagram.com/christy_faith_homeschool facebook.com/ChristyFaithHomeschoolpinterest.com/ChristyFaithHomeschooling EPISODE THEMES

What This Decision Is Really About If you’ve decided to homeschool in British Columbia, you’ve already made the hard decision. But there’s a second decision waiting right behind it — and it stops a lot of families cold. Registered homeschooling vs online learning in BC — which is right for your family? After two decades of homeschooling in BC and six years of coaching families through this exact moment, here’s what I know: this decision isn’t actually about finding the right school or the right system. It’s about who you are as a family. It’s about the values you’re being called toward in this season of your life, the child standing right in front of you, and how much ownership you’re ready to take over the education you’ve already decided to give them. The government language matters — and I’ll give it to you plainly. The practical differences between the two paths matter — and I’ll walk you through them clearly. But neither one will tell you what you actually need to know. Only you can determine that. And the good news is, you already know more than you think you do. This post will help you hear it. If you’re still deciding whether to homeschool at all, start here first: Start Homeschooling in British Columbia: How to Decide What the BC Government Says About Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning in BC In British Columbia, the government draws a firm line between these two options — and it matters that you understand it. If you enroll in online learning, you are not considered a homeschooler by the BC government. You are an online learner. Your child’s education is authorized by the Ministry of Education, delivered through an online school, and overseen by an assigned teacher or learning consultant. You follow BC curriculum as defined by the online school, work toward learning outcomes, and may have report cards, check-ins, and grade-level expectations depending on which school you choose. If you register as a homeschooler under Section 12/13 of the BC School Act, you are fully responsible for your child’s education. No required curriculum. No mandatory testing. And no Dogwood diploma is received upon high school completion. You register by September 30th — or any time you pull your child from school — with a public or independent school of your choice. And that’s essentially it. The government steps back entirely. One path keeps the government close. The other lets you close the door. (Having said that, there may be reasons you choose to travel one path versus another. I address those reasons in the upcoming BC Homeschool Clarity Session.) Get your free 1st Year Confident Homeschool Roadmap What Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning in BC Actually Looks Like Day to Day Here’s where the registered homeschooling vs online learning in BC decision gets practical. Online learning gives you structure, a built-in support person, and in some cases funding. If you’re someone who wants a framework to lean on — especially in year one — that might be genuinely useful. The variation between online schools is significant, though. Some are flexible and relationship-based. Others feel much closer to a traditional school environment. Research the specific school, not just the category. Registered homeschooling gives you a lot of freedom. You choose the curriculum or resources, the pace, the philosophy, and the schedule. Nobody is checking in. Nobody is assigning grades. You are the architect. That’s exhilarating for some families and terrifying for others, and both responses are completely reasonable. What I’ve noticed across two decades is this: most families start more structured than they’ll eventually be. The families who begin with online learning often find, a few years in, that the structure sometimes becomes constraining rather than supportive. (But not always). And the families who begin with registered homeschooling often spend year one to four recreating school at home before they relax into something that actually fits. Both are normal. Both are part of the process. Neither choice need be permanent. My Registered Homeschooling Story in BC — The White Couch Moment When I started homeschooling, I had a vision. Three little girls in white dresses, slamming screen doors, running in from the garden, reading Anne of Green Gables on a white Ikea couch while we sipped afternoon tea. You know — utopia. The white couch lasted about a season. (A white couch in any family home is always an unwise choice.) But let me back up, because the vision didn’t start with a couch. It started with a book. We were living in Alberta at the time. My two oldest girls were in private school. I had no particular complaints — I genuinely loved my daughter’s kindergarten teacher — but something was quietly unsettled in me. I picked up a book called The Homeschool Option: How Do I Know If It’s Right for Me? and something shifted. Within the week, we decided to homeschool our family. She was naming things I didn’t know I was already thinking. What I was really looking for was freedom from other people’s goals and expectations for my family. A customized education for each of my kids — one that would let them walk in their own path, aligned with who they actually were. Not a standardized path. Not someone else’s vision of what their lives should look like. Ours. At almost exactly the same time, my husband was wrestling with his own version of that same question — about his life, his work, his sense of ownership and intention. Both of us, in the same week, arriving at the same place from different directions. That convergence felt like something worth listening to. So before we even moved to the interior of BC, I had already decided. I registered our oldest two — the ones who were school age at the time — as homeschoolers. We landed in BC already committed to the registered path, already clear that we weren’t interested in someone else’s curriculum or someone else’s timeline or someone else’s definition of what an educated child looked like. That clarity served us. But it didn’t protect us from the learning curve. My family shifted from structured homeschooling to unschooling to eclectic homeschooling over our first few years. I registered as a homeschooler and never looked back — but what that looked like changed constantly. Two of my daughters eventually entered public high school for grade 10, with no testing required and no difficulty adjusting. Another graduated without a Dogwood and went straight into college. The decision I made at the beginning — registered homeschooling, full stop — stayed constant. But everything inside that decision evolved as my kids grew and as I grew. That’s what I want you to hear: the path you choose today is not your forever answer. It’s your next right step. And if you choose it purposefully — because it fits who your family actually is, not because you stumbled into it or someone scared you into it — you’ll have something solid to stand on when it gets hard. And it will get hard. That’s not a warning. That’s just the truth of any meaningful thing. “The path you choose today is not your forever answer. It’s your next right step.” The Path You Choose Today Is Not Your Forever Answer If anything in that story resonates — the quiet unsettledness, the search for something that fits your family rather than someone else’s template, the desire to lead your own life on your own terms — you’re already thinking the right thoughts. You just might need a conversation to help you hear them clearly. That’s exactly what the BC Homeschool Clarity Session is for. A small group, a Friday afternoon, and a mom-to-mom conversation with someone who gets it. Choosing Between Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning in BC — Who Are You as a Family? This is the framework I use with every family I coach through this decision — and it matters more than any comparison chart. Are you moving toward something, or away from something? Both are valid starting points. But knowing which one you are helps you stay grounded when it gets hard. Families who are running toward freedom, connection, and a different pace of life tend to settle into homeschooling more naturally. Families who are primarily running away from a bad school situation sometimes find that the relief wears off and the uncertainty rushes in. Neither is fatal — but it’s worth knowing. How comfortable are you being the primary architect of your child’s education? Not forever — just right now. If the answer is “not very,” online learning gives you a scaffold to lean on while you build confidence. If the answer is “I’d love that,” registered homeschooling gives you the room to do it. Does your child need a transcript, credits, or a Dogwood? If your child is heading into high school with university or trades in mind, this plays into this discussion too. Online learning makes that path more straightforward. Registered homeschoolers can absolutely pursue post-secondary — my own kids did — but it requires more intentional planning. A note here: if your child is nowhere near high school, take this particular concern off your plate entirely. You have plenty of time to get to know your kid, plenty of time to help them find their direction, and plenty of time to figure out the transcript question when it’s actually relevant. Don’t let a high school concern drive a decision you’re making for a seven-year-old or even your eleven-year-old. What is the emotional atmosphere in your home? This is the question most families have never been asked. Not “is your home perfect” — none of ours are — but are you willing to look at it honestly and tend to it? Homeschooling magnifies whatever is already present in your family dynamics. The families who thrive are the ones who are willing to pay attention to this. Do you genuinely enjoy spending time with your kids? Even imperfectly. Even on hard days. This isn’t a trick question — it’s the most honest predictor of whether this lifestyle will be sustainable for you. These aren’t abstract questions. They’re the ones that actually shift something when you sit with them honestly. Here’s what one BC homeschool mom said after working through exactly this kind of conversation: The One Thing I Know for Certain About Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning in BC The families who thrive in homeschooling — regardless of which side of the registered homeschooling vs online learning in BC decision they land on — are the ones doing it purposefully. Not reactively. Not because someone scared them into it or shamed them out of conventional school. But because they looked at the child in front of them, asked honest questions, and made a decision that fit their actual family. That’s what this decision is really about. Ready to Stop Researching and Start Deciding? Here’s what I know after two decades of homeschooling and six years of coaching: every parent has one singular goal — to raise up their particular child for their particular purpose in life. You care the most about your child. You see your child most clearly. And you are the most invested person in the room, and you always will be. You also carry a set of values that are uniquely yours — a sense of what you’re being called toward right now, in this season of your family’s life. Whether registered homeschooling or a specific online school aligns with those values is something only you can determine. Every online school has its own culture, its own intentions, its own feel. Every family does too—the fit matters. Why This Conversation Is Different from Any Facebook Thread I have no skin in the game when it comes to your choice. I’m not here to talk you into a particular path. My only intention is to help you find your own clarity — because you already know your family better than anyone. Sometimes you need the right conversation to hear what you already know. That’s what the session is for. Every two to three weeks, I open a Friday afternoon for a small group of BC families at exactly this crossroads. Six to eight families. One hour. Real conversation with someone who has been doing this in BC for two decades. There are plenty of homeschool parents who could have this chat with you. What’s different is this: for the last six years, I’ve been working as a certified life coach, specifically with homeschool families — coaching and walking alongside women through every family dynamic imaginable inside the four walls of a home. I’ve been supporting women to untangle the overwhelm and find their footing, to stop second-guessing themselves and start leading their families with intention, to navigate the hard relational dynamics that homeschooling surfaces — the conflict, the burnout, the loneliness, the self-doubt — and come out the other side clearer and more confident than when they started. A graduated homeschool parent can tell you what worked for their family. I can help you figure out what will work for yours. You don’t have to spend hours down a rabbit hole of Facebook threads and government websites to get clarity. Not ready for that yet? Start here — grab your free Confident Homeschool Roadmap and keep it close for your first year. The BC Homeschool Clarity Session — $35 CAD → Register for the BC Homeschool Clarity Session — $35 CAD → (function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){ var c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return "number"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);} f.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i); var _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()/1000000)); _.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https://static.mailerlite.com/js/universal.js', 'ml'); var ml_account = ml('accounts', '1815912', 'p9n9c0c7s5', 'load'); Frequently Asked Questions: Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning in BC Can I switch from online learning to registered homeschooling in BC? Yes. Neither decision is permanent. Families switch between the two paths regularly as their needs change. You can register as a homeschooler at any point in the school year. Do registered homeschoolers in BC get funding? Not typically. Registered homeschoolers under Section 12/13 of the BC School Act do not receive government funding. Online learners may have access to funding depending on the school — verify directly with the school you’re considering as amounts and eligibility change. Does a registered homeschooler in BC need to follow the BC curriculum? No. Registered homeschoolers are not required to follow the BC curriculum, complete mandatory testing, or work toward a Dogwood diploma. You are required to provide an educational program that enables your child to become literate and develop their individual potential contributing to their greater world. Can a registered homeschooler in BC enter public school? Yes — at any time, with no testing or pre-admission requirements. What is the deadline to register as a homeschooler in BC? September 30th if you know ahead of time. However, you can pull your child from school and register at any point throughout the year. Is there a homeschool life coach in BC who works specifically with homeschool families? Yes. Teresa Wiedrick is a certified life coach and homeschool mentor based in the Kootenays, BC. She homeschooled in BC for nearly two decades and has been coaching homeschool families for six years. She works with BC families navigating the registered homeschooling vs online learning decision and supports homeschool moms through their first year and beyond. You can learn more about her here. How do I start homeschooling in BC? Starting homeschooling in BC begins with one decision: registered homeschooling or online learning. Once you’re clear on that, the practical steps follow quickly. For a full walkthrough of how to get started — including the legalities, what to expect in your first year, and how to build confidence before you begin — read Start Homeschooling in British Columbia: How to Decide. What do I need to know before I start homeschooling in BC? Before you start homeschooling in BC, it helps to understand the two paths available to you — registered homeschooling and online learning — and what each one actually requires of you. It also helps to know that most families start more structured than they’ll eventually be, that the decision isn’t permanent, and that you are more ready than you think. For a deeper look at what to expect, visit Start Homeschooling in British Columbia: How to Decide Ready for a more personalized conversation? The Aligned Homeschool Reset Session is a free 30-minute call where we look at what’s actually going on in your homeschool — not just the surface stuff, but the real things underneath that keep you second-guessing yourself. → Book Your Free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session Book your free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session I help homeschool moms release pressure, edit expectations, and make small, intentional shifts that lead to a more confident and connected homeschool life. Book a Free Aligned Homeschool Reset Latest episodes Crush 1st-Year Homeschool Frustrations and Plan a Smooth Year 2 May 30, 2026 Encouragement for Homeschool Moms in the 1st Year May 30, 2026 Transitioning into Homeschool High School: What We're Really Talking About May 26, 2026 Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning BC: What Really Matters May 19, 2026 Homeschool Year End Review: Celebrating your Success & Growth May 12, 2026 When You Buy New Homeschool Curriculum: 5 Clever Suggestions May 6, 2026 The Truth About Homeschooling the “Right Way” — But What Works May 5, 2026 9 Steps to Thrive: Confident Homeschool Mom in Year 1 April 28, 2026 What If Your Unrealistic Expectations Are Actually Your Greatest Asset? April 21, 2026 Overcome Imposter Syndrome: How to Build Confidence as a Homeschool Mom April 14, 2026 How to Get Started Homeschooling in 2026 April 11, 2026 9 Mistakes That Make Your 1st Homeschool Year Stressful (& How to Avoid Them) April 9, 2026 How to Make Confident Homeschool Decisions (Without Seeking Permission) April 7, 2026 How to Homeschool When Everyone Has ADHD (And You’re Exhausted) March 31, 2026 Exhausted Homeschool Mom? 8 Things That Will Give You Hope March 24, 2026 Stop Second-Guessing as a Homeschool Mom (& Use Your Magic) March 17, 2026 “You’re Not Falling Apart. You’re in the Winter Homeschool Slump.” March 10, 2026 The Lies Homeschool Moms Believe That Makes Everything Harder March 2, 2026 You’re Not Failing. You’re Caught In An Inner Critic Loop. Here’s How to Get Out February 24, 2026 How to Stop People-Pleasing as a Homeschool Mom (One Mom’s Story) February 17, 2026 How to Stop the Inner Critic as a Homeschool Mom: The Charmed Life I Was Chasing (& the Pattern I Didn’t Know I Was Living) February 10, 2026 The Most Important Way to Take Care of Yourself as an Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom February 2, 2026 How to Do Kindergarten in Your Homeschool: A Fun & Effective Guide January 29, 2026 The Real Reason You’re Overwhelmed (It’s Not the Curriculum) January 26, 2026 Unexpected Feelings When Your Homeschooler Gets Accepted to University January 22, 2026 How to Stop Being a Hostage to Homeschool Pressure (& What to Do Instead) January 19, 2026 The Truth About Finding Your Homeschool Rhythm January 13, 2026 The Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast: Introducing the 1% Pivot January 6, 2026 Purpose-Driven Homeschool Planning for 2026: How to Recalibrate the Year with Clarity December 23, 2025 1% Shift to a Calm Homeschool Life December 23, 2025 12 Things I've Learned About Homeschool Moms: Self-Care Tips for Overwhelmed Homeschool Moms December 10, 2025 12-Day Homeschool Mom Self-Care Challenge to Come Back to Yourself December 2, 2025 What is the Reimagine Your Homeschool Group Coaching? November 18, 2025 Not Just a Homeschool Mom — Why You’re Disappearing (And How to Come Back) November 11, 2025 Teaching World War to a Homeschooled Eight Year Old November 10, 2025 Reimagine Your Homeschool: Feel Free, Inspire Curiosity and Do What Works November 5, 2025 the role of imagination in a home education November 4, 2025 Helping Our Kids Live Their Lives on Purpose: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms October 28, 2025 How to Set Realistic High School Expectations? Learn Human Development October 20, 2025 How to Build Homeschool Routines that Support YOU October 14, 2025 Why Deschooling? To Feel Confident, Certain & Good Enough October 7, 2025 The Ultimate Guide to Building Boundaries and Healthy Relationships for Homeschool Moms September 23, 2025 Ultimate Homeschool Overwhelm Quiz That Reveals Your Hidden Stress Triggers in 5 Minutes September 15, 2025 Start Homeschooling in British Columbia: How to Decide September 9, 2025 How to Create an Effective Homeschool Routine that Works for You September 2, 2025 Interest-Led Homeschool for Confident Moms: An Enneagram 8 Mom's Story of Growth August 28, 2025 How Do I Unschool My Child? 5 Simple Steps to Set Them Free August 19, 2025 Top Tips for New Homeschool Moms in Season 3 August 11, 2025 5 Challenges Working Homeschool Moms Face—And How to Overcome Them August 5, 2025 Reclaim You: Rediscover Life Beyond the Homeschool Mom Role July 22, 2025 Subscribe to the Homeschool Mama Self-Care podcast YouTube Apple Audible Spotify Originally published March 3, 2022 · Updated May 18, 2026 Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventureLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){ var c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return "number"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);} f.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i); var _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()/1000000)); _.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https://static.mailerlite.com/js/universal.js', 'ml'); var ml_account = ml('accounts', '1815912', 'p9n9c0c7s5', 'load');

You have done all the lessons, checked all the boxes, and finished the curriculum — but something still feels off. The problem is not your effort. It's the role you have been playing in your homeschool.Today, we talk about real mentoring examples that shift your kids from waiting for direction to thinking for themselves, and what it actually looks like to move from teacher mode to mentor mode in a real homeschool day. You will walk away with one practical step to take tomorrow and four questions that do more for your kids than any worksheet ever could.Homeschool moms who are exhausted from carrying the weight of everything will find this episode both relieving and clarifying. When you stop delivering information and start developing thinkers, your kids grow in ownership and confidence — and you finally get to breathe again.✅Why staying in teacher mode all day is burning you out and creating dependent kids✅The difference between teaching and mentoring — and why it changes everything✅Practical mentoring examples you can use in any subject starting tomorrow✅4 questions to ask yourself instead of answering your kids right away✅How transformation — not information — becomes the goal of your homeschoolJoin the free masterclass mentioned in this episode and take your first step toward mentoring your kids to think, lead, and own their education.Resources for You Free Masterclass: 4 Steps to Raising Christian Leaders in Your Homeschool Show Notes:The Shift That Changes Everything in Your HomeschoolHave you ever done all the lessons, checked all the boxes, finished the curriculum, and you still feel like something is missing? Many moms are working harder than ever, but their kids still struggle with motivation, with ownership, with even really understanding what they're doing.The problem is not your effort, Mom. It's the role that you've been taught to play in your homeschool.The Traditional Mindset Is Burning You OutThe traditional mindset — and we're talking in the last hundred years, not 500 years ago — says your job, mom, is to deliver information and make sure it gets done. Check that checkbox off. But what does this do? It creates dependence. Your kids wait for you to tell them what to do. They follow the teacher. But they are not thinking, or learning, or studying independently.And what are they going to do when they get out on their own? They'll just wait until the boss tells them what to do. They are not thinking critically and they are not making wise decisions.Leaders are not created through constant instruction. They're developed through thinking, ownership, and taking responsibility for their own education. When you stay in teacher mode, you carry the weight of everything and everyone.Now, there is a time to teach. You teach your five-year-old how to read or your eight-year-old the multiplication facts. There is a time to teach. But when you stay in teaching mode all day long, you are going to burn yourself out. You have got to shift from teacher to mentor — to coaching and guiding your kids as they learn independently.The Simple Shift You Can Make TodayInstead of answering your child right away, I want you to pause and ask — what do you think you should do next?When they finish an assignment and ask what to do, say — what do you think your next step should be? Give them a chance to think and make a decision. When they get stuck, ask — what do you think you could try first? When they ask for help right away, ask — what ideas have you already tried? When they rush through their work, ask — what do you think would make this better?This begins to shift the responsibility off of your shoulders and onto your children immediately. It shifts them from waiting to thinking, from depending to deciding. It changes their attitude — and it will change yours. It trains ownership in their education in real time, not just in theory.What Mentoring Actually Looks LikeA lot of people think mentoring is just letting go and not doing very much. It is not about doing less. It is about doing what matters most.You shift from telling to asking. From managing to guiding. From controlling to training.Think of it like a coach. The coach plans the drills and the strategy, but when it comes to the game, they are not pitching the ball or throwing the touchdown. They are on the sidelines coaching and guiding. That is what you need to do. If you are burned out, it's probably because you're doing too much teaching and you're still on that conveyor belt.Instead of correcting every mistake in their writing, ask them to evaluate their work before they give it to you. Ask them — what do you think you could improve in this writing? You are training thinking, not just fixing papers. Especially by high school, they should be editing their own work themselves.Mentoring Examples From HistoryThis is really what early America was all about. Teenagers had apprenticeships. They learned under a mentor — blacksmiths, printers, farmers. They learned by doing, observing, and gradually taking ownership until eventually they could go off and do it all themselves. This built independence, life skills, and leadership.Thomas Jefferson had a mentor named George Wythe who would assign books to read. They would write and they would discuss. That is an academic mentorship. And it produced one of the greatest leaders in American history.Education back then wasn't just about information. It was about transformation. So my question to you is — what transformation is happening in your homeschool?That is the difference between teaching and mentoring. If you are mentoring, you will see transformation over time. Your kids begin to take ownership. They think critically. They develop confidence. And you, mom, begin to feel less pressure. You have more peace. You can actually enjoy your homeschool again.What to Do This WeekChoose one subject today or tomorrow and step back. Let your child take the lead while you guide with questions. Questions are some of the best ways to develop critical thinking skills and wise decision making. Step back from one subject for each of your kids and guide them with questions instead of instruction.We've had moms say that course changed my mindset. It shifted me. And they say — my kids are loving their new teacher because she's not the dictator anymore. She's not the teacher of everything. She is mentoring them.I would love for you to join me for my free masterclass — Four Steps to Raising Christian Leaders in Your Homeschool. We will be talking about questions and how to use them as one of the key steps in mentoring your kids. There are two different dates and times you can join. The link is in the show notes.And be looking out for more information about my Raising Leaders, Not Followers course — it has helped so many moms and dads and kids see real transformation in their homeschool.

Elyse Scheeler spent years inside the public school system as a speech language pathologist. She had a classroom full of kids making real, measurable progress. The district shut it down — not because anything was wrong, but because her program made their compliance numbers look bad.That's when she knew she had to leave.In this episode Elyse pulls back the curtain on what school staff see every single day but aren't allowed to say out loud. She couldn't tell parents what she suspected. She couldn't refer kids to outside specialists. The system had a rule for that too.We also get into the airway health connection to ADHD and behavior that nobody in a school can mention, how COVID masking quietly set back an entire generation of language development, and how Elyse now helps families with kids who have additional needs homeschool successfully — without doing it alone.In this episode:— Why your child's school limits services even when kids need more— The data vs. children problem hiding inside every IEP meeting— Airway health, sleep, and the hidden root causes of ADHD and behavior issues— How COVID masking impacted language development— Using AI to build a custom curriculum for any learning style— How to homeschool a child with additional needsLinks:→ Free 30-Day Homeschool Quick Start Guide→ What Do I Actually Teach? ($17): thehomeschoolhowto.com/what-do-i-actually-teachCONNECT WITH ELYSE

Have you ever had one of those days when everything feels important, and you genuinely cannot figure out what to do first? The kids need school. Someone needs food. The laundry is sitting there. The kitchen is loud. There are messages waiting, appointments to prepare for, and something you forgot yesterday suddenly pops back into your mind. And somehow every single thing feels like it is on fire at the same time. In this episode, I'm talking about the moment when your mind is full, your home is busy, and even deciding what to do first feels overwhelming.There is a simple way to get back on track, and I'll share that here today. I'm not sharing a full planning system or a complicated routine. It is a simple way to slow down, ask for wisdom, and choose the next right thing when everything feels urgent. If you are an overwhelmed homeschool mom, medical mom, ADHD mom, or just a mom carrying too many important things at once, this episode will help you breathe, simplify the decision, and take one faithful step forward. Mentioned in this episode:Road Trip Mysteries: USA Edition and Yellowstone Edition — a screen-free, story-driven activity adventure book for kids ages 8–12, filled with puzzles, history, geography, clues, and mystery. It can be a gentle learning option for hard homeschool days when your child needs something meaningful that does not feel like another worksheet. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGL7T6LH XOXO, Katie

You don't have a money problem... you simply have a safety problem around money that is keeping you stuck in a cycle of "easy come, easy go." You already know you are a powerful manifester capable of calling in cash, but you might unknowingly be holding a frequency that prevents you from keeping it. Now it's time to shift from survival based decisions into an intentional wealth building baseline where money stays and supports your highest and best lifestyle.  Press play to move beyond the fear of the unknown and step into a reality where you feel assured and supported by your finances.    PS. Start activating the wealth frequency you and your family deserve

In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise Germond sits down with her mother and longtime homeschooling veteran Chelly Barnard to talk about why reading is the single most important skill you can give your child. From raising reluctant readers and navigating learning challenges, to building a lifelong love of books through read-alouds and classical education — this conversation is packed with practical encouragement for every homeschool mom. Chelly and Delise get honest about their own reading journeys — including what it looked like to struggle, to teach differently, and to fall in love with books later in life. You'll hear real strategies for helping kids who resist reading, advice on when to seek outside help, and why classical Christian education uniquely positions homeschool families to raise voracious, articulate readers. The episode wraps with a rich list of book recommendations — from Fahrenheit 451 and Stepping Heavenward to Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter — plus a reference to Mortimer Adler's beloved essay "How to Mark a Book." Whether your child loves reading or avoids it, this episode will encourage and equip you to make books a central part of your homeschool life.   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by: Classical Conversations just released "The Habits of a Classical Education"—the long-awaited successor to "The Core." This resource helps you naturally integrate the Five Core Habits into daily life, enabling classical, Christian education where relationships and lifelong learning flourish. It's here! Order your copy of "The Habits of a Classical Education: Practicing the Art of Grammar" during the April sale!

Every year I finish the homeschool year kinda lackluster. And you know what? I’m good with that. I recognize it for what it is: a season. That’s exactly why I do a Homeschool Year End Review — and why I think every homeschool mom should too. Because, seriously, what are the chances I’m gonna love every dang minute of this homeschool thing? And when else would I feel homeschool fatigue? At the end of the homeschool year! (Oh, and February, cause ya know: slump month…Oh, and usually about year two or three of our homeschool journey when I need to have a giant shift from “how I thought homeschool would be” to “how homeschool actually is”…Anywho, I digress…) In this post, you’ll discover my approach to the Homeschool Year-End Review — and how it sets you up to actually enjoy your summer instead of dreading September. Finish your year with a Homeschool Mom Year-End Review https://youtu.be/z_GP9smtgBM?si=g3MIJgKK-OpAh_RI Join me for a Homeschool Mom Year-End Review. Finish Your Year With a Homeschool Mom Year End Review If we do a homeschool year end review now, I don’t have to return to it in July. I can sit by my watering hole of choice and not think about homeschool planning. By the end of May, I usually close the homeschool room door and don’t return till early July. I let stuff sit.The books get closed.The planner gets closed.And we just shift into a season of being outdoors. And you know what? We all need it after that point. A chance to recollect our ideas about last year, check what worked, check what didn’t, and springboard into the new year with ideas that did work and new ideas I want to include. If you’re there and want to springboard — join me at the Homeschool Year End Review. Join the Homeschool Year End Review Real Planning for Real Homeschool Moms: Why the Year-End Review Works Are you wrapping up your homeschool year? Even in my most traditional homeschool years, I’ve always wrapped things up by the end of May. Typically at the beginning of June, I’d bring the kids outside to sit, draw, read some poetry, write some poetry, narrate a Shakespeare play, learn Latin names for native plants, learn the name of cloud formations, and identify animal scat. (AKA harnessing my inner Charlotte Mason — although I don’t think she ever mentions animal scat, ha.) It’s also the time of year I assessed my past homeschool year and used that as a brainstorming tool to imagine my upcoming homeschool year. It was fresh on my mind! That’s why I created a Year End Review for you — a group coaching opportunity. If you want to do your homeschool and your life on purpose, you need regular breaks from the same-ole same-ole to check how it’s working for you and your kids. (Or if it’s not.) Three Things Your Homeschool Year-End Review Should Cover Over the years I’ve learned that a meaningful year-end review isn’t just about curriculum or schedules. It goes deeper. Here are the three areas that matter most. 1. Is your homeschool plan still working for this season? This is the question most of us are afraid to ask honestly — because what if the answer is no? A plan that fit beautifully two years ago can quietly become the thing that’s exhausting you today. Not because you failed. Because your season changed. Your kids grew. Your family shifted. Life happened. And if this year didn’t go the way you hoped — that gap between your vision and your reality deserves to be acknowledged. Maybe even grieved a little. Because when we skip that step and jump straight to “okay, new plan!” we carry the weight of disappointment straight into next year. The first part of a good year-end review is giving yourself permission to look honestly at what happened, release the expectations that were never realistic, and ask: what actually fits our life right now? Need a starting point for your planning? Homeschool Planning for Four Kids: Our Sixth Year walks through exactly how I’ve approached this in real life. 2. Where is your time really going — and does it match what matters? Here’s a question I love to sit with during my Homeschool Year-End Review: Is how I’m spending my time actually aligned with what I say I value? Because most of us are busy. Very busy. But busy doing what, exactly? When we slow down and look at where our time is actually going, we often discover a gap between our values and our daily reality. A time-and-values check-in isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. Once you can see where your energy is going, you can make intentional choices about where it goes next year. 3. How does homeschool mom life actually feel — and can it feel better? This one is the one we skip most often. Because we’re so used to asking how our kids are doing that we forget to ask the same about ourselves. How are you doing? Not your homeschool. Not your curriculum. The question isn’t about your kids’ progress. It’s about you. Are you enjoying this? Does homeschool feel like something flowing from you — or something running over you? Because when a homeschool mom is depleted and disconnected, the whole family feels it. And no curriculum swap in the world will fix that. This part of the Homeschool Year End Review is about reconnecting with yourself — with who you are beyond the role of homeschool mom, and what it would look like to actually enjoy the life you’ve built. If that question is sitting heavy on you right now, you might also want to read: Are You Homeschooling Good Enough? What We’ll Explore in the Homeschool Year-End Review Together In the Year-End Review workshop, we’ll chat about: What worked for you this year — and what didn’t What worked for each of your kids — and what didn’t And what you learned about your kids this year What you learned about yourself — and how you’re addressing that How you record and acknowledge the learning, growth, books read, and things done this year The hard moments you don’t want to repeat — and how to address them next year What your vision words are for next year How you used your resources, time, and skills this past year How you’ve contributed to the world — and how you want to What to Expect at the Homeschool Mom Year-End Review Here’s what we’ll do together in our two hours: Rethink your homeschool plan for 2026/2027 — and release what no longer fits your season Audit how your time and energy are really being used Reconnect with how homeschool mom life feels — and how to make it better Design a personalized Burnout Prevention Plan Explore child-inspired learning approaches Create a Y.O.U. Plan — one that includes your identity and wellness, not just your kids’ education You’ll work directly in two tools during the session — the Wellness Journal for Homeschool Mamas and the Homeschool Mama Vision Planner — so you leave with them already full of your own clarity. Not blank pages to figure out later. Bring your journal and a pen. Come without the kids. You’ll receive personal coaching feedback during and after the session. Save Your Seat → What You’ll Leave With After the Homeschool Year End Review Clarity & confidence about your 2026/2027 homeschool year An updated home education plan that fits this season A personalized Burnout Prevention Plan Personal wellness practices that fit your real life A Y.O.U. Plan — because your identity matters too The Wellness Journal for Homeschool Mamas The Homeschool Mama Vision Planner Kind Words “Before the Year-End Review session with Teresa, I felt overwhelmed and exhausted — even thinking about planning next year filled me with dread. After just that one conversation, I walked away feeling confident, hopeful, and clear. Teresa’s kindness, understanding, and gentle guidance saved me so much indecision and stress. If you’re a homeschool mom feeling stretched thin or unsure where to begin — this is the support you didn’t know you needed.” — Jen, homeschool mom of 3 Ready for a more personalized conversation? The Aligned Homeschool Reset Session is a free 30-minute call where we look at what’s actually going on in your homeschool — not just the surface stuff, but the real things underneath that keep you second-guessing yourself. → Book Your Free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session Book your free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session I help homeschool moms release pressure, edit expectations, and make small, intentional shifts that lead to a more confident and connected homeschool life. Book a Free Aligned Homeschool Reset Latest episodes Crush 1st-Year Homeschool Frustrations and Plan a Smooth Year 2 May 30, 2026 Encouragement for Homeschool Moms in the 1st Year May 30, 2026 Transitioning into Homeschool High School: What We're Really Talking About May 26, 2026 Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning BC: What Really Matters May 19, 2026 Homeschool Year End Review: Celebrating your Success & Growth May 12, 2026 When You Buy New Homeschool Curriculum: 5 Clever Suggestions May 6, 2026 The Truth About Homeschooling the “Right Way” — But What Works May 5, 2026 9 Steps to Thrive: Confident Homeschool Mom in Year 1 April 28, 2026 What If Your Unrealistic Expectations Are Actually Your Greatest Asset? April 21, 2026 Overcome Imposter Syndrome: How to Build Confidence as a Homeschool Mom April 14, 2026 How to Get Started Homeschooling in 2026 April 11, 2026 9 Mistakes That Make Your 1st Homeschool Year Stressful (& How to Avoid Them) April 9, 2026 How to Make Confident Homeschool Decisions (Without Seeking Permission) April 7, 2026 How to Homeschool When Everyone Has ADHD (And You’re Exhausted) March 31, 2026 Exhausted Homeschool Mom? 8 Things That Will Give You Hope March 24, 2026 Stop Second-Guessing as a Homeschool Mom (& Use Your Magic) March 17, 2026 “You’re Not Falling Apart. You’re in the Winter Homeschool Slump.” March 10, 2026 The Lies Homeschool Moms Believe That Makes Everything Harder March 2, 2026 You’re Not Failing. You’re Caught In An Inner Critic Loop. Here’s How to Get Out February 24, 2026 How to Stop People-Pleasing as a Homeschool Mom (One Mom’s Story) February 17, 2026 How to Stop the Inner Critic as a Homeschool Mom: The Charmed Life I Was Chasing (& the Pattern I Didn’t Know I Was Living) February 10, 2026 The Most Important Way to Take Care of Yourself as an Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom February 2, 2026 How to Do Kindergarten in Your Homeschool: A Fun & Effective Guide January 29, 2026 The Real Reason You’re Overwhelmed (It’s Not the Curriculum) January 26, 2026 Unexpected Feelings When Your Homeschooler Gets Accepted to University January 22, 2026 How to Stop Being a Hostage to Homeschool Pressure (& What to Do Instead) January 19, 2026 The Truth About Finding Your Homeschool Rhythm January 13, 2026 The Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast: Introducing the 1% Pivot January 6, 2026 Purpose-Driven Homeschool Planning for 2026: How to Recalibrate the Year with Clarity December 23, 2025 1% Shift to a Calm Homeschool Life December 23, 2025 12 Things I've Learned About Homeschool Moms: Self-Care Tips for Overwhelmed Homeschool Moms December 10, 2025 12-Day Homeschool Mom Self-Care Challenge to Come Back to Yourself December 2, 2025 What is the Reimagine Your Homeschool Group Coaching? November 18, 2025 Not Just a Homeschool Mom — Why You’re Disappearing (And How to Come Back) November 11, 2025 Teaching World War to a Homeschooled Eight Year Old November 10, 2025 Reimagine Your Homeschool: Feel Free, Inspire Curiosity and Do What Works November 5, 2025 the role of imagination in a home education November 4, 2025 Helping Our Kids Live Their Lives on Purpose: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms October 28, 2025 How to Set Realistic High School Expectations? Learn Human Development October 20, 2025 How to Build Homeschool Routines that Support YOU October 14, 2025 Why Deschooling? To Feel Confident, Certain & Good Enough October 7, 2025 The Ultimate Guide to Building Boundaries and Healthy Relationships for Homeschool Moms September 23, 2025 Ultimate Homeschool Overwhelm Quiz That Reveals Your Hidden Stress Triggers in 5 Minutes September 15, 2025 Start Homeschooling in British Columbia: How to Decide September 9, 2025 How to Create an Effective Homeschool Routine that Works for You September 2, 2025 Interest-Led Homeschool for Confident Moms: An Enneagram 8 Mom's Story of Growth August 28, 2025 How Do I Unschool My Child? 5 Simple Steps to Set Them Free August 19, 2025 Top Tips for New Homeschool Moms in Season 3 August 11, 2025 5 Challenges Working Homeschool Moms Face—And How to Overcome Them August 5, 2025 Reclaim You: Rediscover Life Beyond the Homeschool Mom Role July 22, 2025 Subscribe to the Homeschool Mama Self-Care podcast YouTube Apple Audible Spotify Originally published June 17, 2022 · Updated May 11, 2026 Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventureLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (function(m,a,i,l,e,r){ m['MailerLiteObject']=e;function f(){ var c={ a:arguments,q:[]};var r=this.push(c);return "number"!=typeof r?r:f.bind(c.q);} f.q=f.q||[];m[e]=m[e]||f.bind(f.q);m[e].q=m[e].q||f.q;r=a.createElement(i); var _=a.getElementsByTagName(i)[0];r.async=1;r.src=l+'?v'+(~~(new Date().getTime()/1000000)); _.parentNode.insertBefore(r,_);})(window, document, 'script', 'https://static.mailerlite.com/js/universal.js', 'ml'); var ml_account = ml('accounts', '1815912', 'p9n9c0c7s5', 'load');

What happens after homeschooling ends? In this encouraging and honest conversation, I talk with veteran (now retired) homeschool mom Dawn Garrett about life after graduating all three of her children. If you've ever wondered what comes next after years of homeschooling (or if you're approaching the end of your homeschool journey) this episode offers wisdom, perspective, and reassurance. Dawn Garrett shares her experience transitioning from full-time homeschool mom to a new season of life filled with unexpected quiet, reflection, and opportunity. Together, we discuss the emotional, spiritual, and practical aspects of this major life shift, including identity, purpose, and what it means to let go while still nurturing strong relationships with adult children. You'll hear insights on what truly matters in homeschooling, from the importance of family rhythms like worship and rest to the long-term impact of reading great books together. Dawn also reflects on what she might have done differently, offering encouragement for homeschool moms in every stage, from those just beginning to those nearing graduation. This conversation also explores how to navigate the transition when adult children are still living at home, how to shift from authority to friendship, and how to embrace a slower, more reflective pace after years of structured homeschooling days. Topics covered include: Life after homeschooling ends Homeschool mom identity and purpose Transitioning to an empty nest Launching adult children successfully Emotional adjustment after homeschooling Encouragement for new and veteran homeschool moms Whether you're in the thick of homeschooling or standing on the threshold of what comes next, this conversation offers hope, wisdom, and a gentle reminder that every season has its purpose. Don't forget to share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement in her homeschool journey! Show notes and transcript: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/from-homeschool-mom-to-empty-nestLife Skills Now: https://sl290.isrefer.com/go/LSN5/arsloan/Homeschool START Course: https://www.made2homeschool.com/a/2148255817/KNcPGL3tGetting Started With Shakespeare Guide: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/exploring-shakespeare-children/FREE 5 Day Gentle Homeschool Reset: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/gentle-homeschool-reset/While you're here, would you take a minute to leave a rating and review in your podcast app? Send me a screenshot of your review and I'll send you a $15 gift certificate to my shop! Just email me your review screenshot at Amy@HumilityandDoxology.comJoin Made2Homeschool for exclusive content and community: HumilityandDoxology.com/M2H ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.made2homeschool.com/a/2147529243/KNcPGL3t⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE Homeschool Planner Calendar: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/free-homeschool-planner-calendar/FREE Homeschool Planning Guide: https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/homeschool-planning-guide/Year of Memory Work: https://humilityanddoxology.com/year-of-memory-workFollow Humility and Doxology Online:Blog ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.humilityanddoxology.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/HumilityAndDoxology⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/humilityanddoxology⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/humilityanddoxology⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amy's Favorites: ⁠⁠⁠https://humilityanddoxology.com/favorites⁠⁠⁠This podcast and description contains affiliate links.

What happens when someone who hated being homeschooled grows up and chooses to homeschool his own children anyway?In this deeply honest conversation, Logan Hufford shares what homeschooling looked like growing up in a large family in the 90s, why he resented parts of it for years, and what he's doing differently with his own kids today.We also talk about something many parents are afraid to discuss openly: what children are being exposed to online at shockingly young ages — and how silence, shame, and lack of conversation can impact kids long-term.Inside this episode:• what Logan wishes his parents had done differently• how over-sheltering can backfire• pornography addiction and dopamine-driven behavior• why vulnerable conversations matter more than perfect parenting• how to talk to kids without creating shame• the reality of parenting in the internet era• resources parents can use to start age-appropriate conversationsThis is a sensitive but incredibly important discussion for both homeschooling and non-homeschooling families alike.Listener discretion advised for younger ears.Resources:Good Pictures Bad Pictureshttps://www.conquerseries.com- For a man who might be struggling or a woman who is close to a man who struggles, the best single resource to gain an education of how sexual addiction works is the Conquer SeriesFollow Logan on Instagram

About the GuestAutumn Kern is the host of The Commonplace, a place to help new homeschooling moms get their bearings in the classical, Charlotte Mason world. She explores the Classical Tradition on her podcast, releases practical philosophy videos on YouTube, offers ongoing education for mother-teachers in Common House, and, more recently, leads directed programmes of study under Mother Academia. She and her husband are raising their four children in an old 1700s Pennsylvania farmhouse, hoping one of these wardrobes will bring them face-to-face with Aslan.  Show NotesThis episode is dedicated to homeschool mothers! Many people have asked me to share my homeschool journey and I wanted to know more about Autumn Kern's journey into the Charlotte Mason Classical homeschool world. Autumn and I share our ups and downs as homeschool moms as means of encouragement to our fellow home educators.Some topics covered include:How we got started in the homeschool movementThe classical connection to Charlotte MasonCommon challenges to homeschool momsHow to recover from burn outHow to handle crisis situationsHow to juggle management of a home while homeschoolingResources MentionedThe Lion, The Witch and The WardrobeA Thinking Love by Karen Glass (Vol 1 Charlotte Mason)An Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason (Centenary Expanded Edition published by Smidgen Press)Previous Guest EpisodeAutumn joined my former co-host Trae Bailey in 2022. That episode was titled Autumn Kern: The Common Classical Charlotte Mason Mom. Click here for the link: https://classicaleducationpodcast.transistor.fm/episodes/autumn-kern-the-common-classical-charlotte-mason-mother____________________________________This podcast is produced by Beautiful Teaching, LLC.Support this podcast: ★ Support this podcast ★ _________________________________________________________Credits:Sound Engineer: Andrew HelselLogo Art: Anastasiya CFMusic: Vivaldi's Concerto for 2 Violins in B flat major, RV529 : Lana Trotovsek, violin Sreten Krstic, violin with Chamber Orchestra of Slovenian Philharmonic © 2026 Beautiful Teaching LLC. All Rights Reserve

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week, we're taking some time to encourage moms as we celebrate both National Teacher Appreciation Day and Mother's Day. Homeschool moms don't get nearly the recognition they deserve, so today is all about recognizing you and everything you do for your kids. From wiping runny noses and teaching your children to read, to dealing with attitudes, discipline, discipleship, and the countless other responsibilities that come with motherhood and homeschooling, the work never really ends, and often goes unnoticed. But we truly believe the impact you are making on your children is deep, meaningful, and lifelong. Our goal today is simply to encourage you and remind you that what you're doing matters more than you know. We hope you enjoy the episode! Before we start, we want to thank Teaching Textbooks for all of their support of the Smiling Homeschooler. They are the math curriculum our family uses, and it has helped us smile more, and we think it will do the same for your family. Go support them and check out a free trial over at teachingtextbooks.com. Today's show is being underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare, where members are committed to honoring Christ through a community of Christians that pay one another's medical bills. Redeem HealthShare helps families take a safe step of faith as they feel God's Leading in career or ministry changes or in bringing mom home. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare by Samaritan Ministries here https://hubs.ly/Q03VZL7Q0 Have a great week and don't forget to smile!    

The time trap you're currently in is a self-created narrative that you have the full authority to rewrite starting right now. Most money making moms feel like time is slipping through their fingers as they are building their businesses, but the secret to scaling isn't adding more hours... it's about activating the "lifestyle by design" you've already envisioned. We're shifting from time scarcity into a state of fulfillment where your "busyness" actually feels like a gift rather than a burden.  Press play and remember, you are the leader of your own life. It's time to stop trading your sanity for a paycheck and start modeling the dream-chasing energy you want your kids to see.    PS. Take the Time Turner Quiz and book your call to start your 180-degree transformation!

Did you know that art and math are speaking the same language — and your kids are already fluent? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Delise Germond sits down with Kirsty Gilpin and Babs Harrell — two of the women behind the Classical Conversations Math Map — to talk about why CC's homeschool math curriculum approaches every concept through the lens of art, and what that means for your family's math education. Whether you're a self-proclaimed "not a math person" or a homeschool mom who wants more than a textbook, this conversation will reshape how you think about teaching math at home. Kirsty and Babs share how the Math Map connects shapes, symmetry, and dimensions to truth, beauty, and goodness — and ultimately, to God himself. In this episode, you'll hear why even the most art-loving, math-avoiding parent can engage confidently with the CC Math Map, practical encouragement for where to start (hint: just talk about the booklet cover!), and why setting your highest math goal as "discovering God through math" changes everything. Leigh Bortins' 2023 Math Map Book Club: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHxgkFMB45L23WKEks7BCNd3LBvJfIjVB&si=T5zP6gr_Rz69Phi5   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by: Classical Conversations just released "The Habits of a Classical Education"—the long-awaited successor to "The Core." This resource helps you naturally integrate the Five Core Habits into daily life, enabling classical, Christian education where relationships and lifelong learning flourish. It's here! Order your copy of "The Habits of a Classical Education: Practicing the Art of Grammar" here during the April sale!  

If you’ve ever typed “am I homeschooling my child the right way” into a search bar at 11pm — this post is for you. Most homeschool moms have experienced some version of that same question — am I homeschooling my child the right way? — and most of them are asking it for exactly the right reasons. Not out loud, necessarily. More likely, as a quiet voice at the end of the day, after the books are closed and the planner is put away. Here’s the truth: there is no single “right way” to homeschool your child. But there is something that works — and it’s more accessible than you think. Am I Homeschooling My Child the Right Way? (& Why the “Right Way” to Homeschool Is a Myth Worth Busting) The homeschool world has a way of making moms feel like there’s a correct answer they haven’t found yet. The right curriculum, the right schedule, and the right philosophy. Classical or Charlotte Mason. Structured or unschooling.90 minutes a day or seven hours? And so the search begins — and the second-guessing never quite stops. Every mom who has ever asked “am I homeschooling my child the right way” deserves a better answer than another curriculum or method recommendation. Here’s what I’ve noticed after many conversations with homeschool moms who are deep in this: the ones who feel most lost are rarely the ones doing it wrong. They’re the ones paying close enough attention to notice the gap between what they planned and what their child actually needs. That gap isn’t failure. It’s information. The “Right Way” Is a Moving Target — And That’s Actually Good News The truth about homeschooling the “right way” is that right was never a fixed destination. It’s a moving target — and it moves because your child moves. She grows, shifts, changes her mind, surprises you. The mom who is asking am I getting this right? is almost always the mom who is watching closely enough to ask better questions. What “Right” Actually Means for Your Child Let me tell you about a mom I’ll call Joni. Joni had done everything by the book. Researched curricula for months. Built a beautiful schedule. Joined a co-op. Colour-coded her planner. By any external measure, she was homeschooling the “right way.” And yet her daughter — bright, curious, twelve years old — was disengaged. Resistant. Going through the motions, most of the time, so she could put her books back in her designated basket so she could run off and play. Joni kept adjusting the external pieces. Different workbooks. Different incentives beyond playtime or screentime. She offered her daughter more flexibility. Less flexibility. The result was always the same. Not the daughter she’d hoped to homeschool. Not the child the curriculum would work for. The specific, real, living girl in front of her — with her own interests, her own learning rhythms, her own quiet signals about what was and wasn’t working. The Question Underneath the Question That shift — from am I following the right method? to is this right for this child? — was where freedom lived. If you’d rather listen than read — or you want to share this conversation with a homeschool mom you know — I’ve covered all of this in this week’s podcast episode too. Press play below. https://youtu.be/ICLwWbL_9Uc?si=mfVtMHFoSfTdfYhf Am I Homeschooling My Child the Right Way? A Framework for Making Decisions You Can Trust After many conversations like the one I had with Joni, I built something I call the Right-for-This-Child Framework — six questions designed not to grade your homeschool, but to help you think with your child instead of about her. It’s not a lens into the reality of your homeschool kiddo and your homeschool plans. Here are two of the six questions, because they tend to be where the most immediate relief lives when you’re wondering if you’re homeschooling your child the right way: “Does this approach honour who she is right now?” Not who she was six months ago. Not who you’re hoping she’ll grow into. Who she is today — her interests, her energy, her actual learning preferences. This sounds obvious until you realize how often we design our homeschool around a future version of our child who doesn’t quite exist yet. The more focused, more compliant, more grateful version. Or even the child that doesn’t exist. And I’ll add that sometimes we’re trying to build a homeschool around the “child” that is within you! You might be, like me, trying to build a homeschool you would LOVE at age 28-54;) Meanwhile, the real child in front of us is sending signals we’re too busy adjusting the plan to receive. Observing your child’s energy — not just her output — is data. When she lights up, that’s data. When she goes quiet in a particular way, that’s data. Small, genuine check-ins about how she’s experiencing things give you more useful information than any progress tracker. “Am I reacting out of fear right now — or out of clarity?” This one requires self-awareness. So much of what looks like a homeschool problem is actually a mom’s nervous system problem. When a child resists or stalls, it can activate something old — a fear about falling behind, about not being enough, about her future narrowing in some irreversible way. From that place, we tend to push harder, control more, and inadvertently make the resistance worse. The practice is simple but not easy: pause before you respond. Five or ten minutes. Journal a sentence. Let the reactive emotional wave pass. What’s left after the pause is almost always much closer to your actual wisdom. The Other Four Questions (And What They Cover) The full framework goes further — into aligning decisions with your core values, weighing short-term discomfort against long-term growth, building flexibility into your plans rather than demanding perfection, and creating a simple weekly rhythm of reflection and recalibration. Together they give you a repeatable way to move through doubt. Not by eliminating it — but by using it as a starting point rather than a stopping point. The real answer to “am I homeschooling my child the right way” is never yes or no. It’s: are you paying attention, staying curious, and adjusting as you learn? If yes — you’re doing it right. The Doubt Is Not the Actually the Problem Joni didn’t need a new curriculum. She needed permission to trust what she already knew about her daughter — and a structure to help her hear herself think. If you’re in that place right now — doing the work, carrying the worry, wondering if anyone else feels this too — I want you to say this out loud: The fact that I’m asking this question means I’m the right person for this. Say that sentence again. And again. Remember that “bad homeschool moms” don’t lie awake wondering if they’re getting it right. The negligent homeschool moms aren’t googling “am I homeschool my child the right way” at midnight? (ps If I’m right and YOU are googling those words and that’s why you found me, drop me a comment below, I’d love to hear!) If you’d like support figuring out what “right for this child” actually looks like in your specific home, with your specific kid — that’s exactly the kind of conversation I’m here for. Start there. The rest tends to follow. Free Resources to Help You Homeschool With Confidence You’ve made it this far in this post because something here resonated. Maybe it was the question you’ve been carrying quietly. Or maybe it was Joni’s story. Maybe it was simply the relief of someone finally saying there is no single right way. Whatever brought you here — whether you googled “am I homeschooling my child the right way” or stumbled in through a friend’s share — I don’t want you to leave empty-handed. Depending on where you are in your homeschool journey, I’ve created something specific for you. Take the one that fits. For First-Year Homeschool Moms: The Confident Homeschool Roadmap Starting your homeschool journey is one of the bravest things a mom can do — and one of the most disorienting. You pulled your child out of traditional school (or never put them in) because you believed there was something better. And now you’re staring at a blank calendar wondering where to begin. The Confident Homeschool Roadmap is your starting point. It walks you through the foundational decisions every new homeschool mom needs to make — in the right order, without the overwhelm — so you can stop spinning and start building something that actually fits your child and your family. Inside you’ll find a clear sequence for getting started, questions that help you define what you want homeschooling to look like, and a simple structure that creates confidence without locking you into someone else’s method. When you download the Roadmap, you’ll also receive the Purposeful Homeschool Mom Weekly newsletter — a short, grounding note each week with practical encouragement, honest reflections, and tools to help you keep trusting yourself through every stage of this journey. → Grab Your Free Confident Homeschool Roadmap Download your 1st Year Confident Homeschool Roadmap For Moms Who’ve Been At It a While: The Deschool Your Homeschool Checklist You homeschool to give your child something better. So why does it still feel like you’re just recreating school at home? Your child resists anything that looks like “school.” You’re stuck somewhere between structure and freedom, second-guessing every decision, and quietly wondering if you’re doing it wrong. Here’s the truth: you’re not doing it wrong. You just haven’t deschooled yet. Or maybe you need to deschool deeper or for a new season of your family life. Deschooling is the most commonly skipped step in homeschooling — and the one that makes a ginormous difference. It’s the process of letting go of traditional school thinking so you can build something that actually fits your child, your values, and your real life. What You’ll Work Through Inside the Checklist The Deschool Your Homeschool Checklist is your reset button. It’s a free, simple guide that helps you: Step back from school-y mindsets that are quietly running the show Reconnect with how your child actually learns — not how school said she should Create space for curiosity, calm, and genuine connection Set a new course with intention and clarity Inside you’ll work through seven foundational shifts: observing your child’s natural interests, noticing what genuinely sparks their excitement, understanding their real learning style, examining the rhythms of your family relationships, getting curious about boredom instead of fixing it, defining your own version of education, and embracing the gaps instead of fighting them. When you download the Checklist, you’ll also be joining the Purposeful Homeschool Mom Weekly newsletter — where each week I share honest encouragement, practical tools, and gentle reminders that you are more capable of this than you think. → Download the Free Deschool Your Homeschool Checklist

What happens when life completely falls apart — and you still have to show up for your kids? This week Cheryl sits down with Barbara, a former special education teacher turned homeschool mom of four, who opens up about one of the hardest questions in homeschooling: what do you do when you're grieving?After years of fighting the school system for resources her students deserved, Barbara knew she didn't want that for her own kids. She pulled them out, ditched the rigid curriculum, and built something that actually works for her spicy, high-energy family.In this episode:Why connection over perfection changed everything for her familyHow she homeschools four kids aged 5–12 using interest-led unit studiesWhat homeschooling through the loss of her mother actually looked likeSouth Carolina's homeschool options and fundingWhy socialization was never actually a problemBarbara also shares her memoir and upcoming Bible study guide for homeschooling through grief — because sometimes life takes the rug out from under you, and you still have to be there for your family.Connect with Barbara here:  https://a.co/d/0bMqCMiqBarbara's Instagram

If you have the power to attract a week of chaos, you are officially a master level manifester... you just haven't learned how to aim that energy at your bank account yet.  It's time to stop trading your precious hours for dollars and start raising the "floor" of your income through internal alignment. When you harness the physics of momentum, money flow becomes a consistent force rather than a series of unpredictable waves - and today, I'm showing you HOW.    PS. Set a new six figure baseline for you and your family

What does intentional play actually look like for preschoolers — and how do you build a community around it? In this episode of the Everyday Educator podcast, host Lisa Bailey is joined by Sherry Castillo and Delise Germond to discuss how to host a Scribblers Playdate that nurtures the whole child: fine motor skills, faith, social-emotional growth, and a love of learning. Whether you're a homeschool mom with a 4-year-old or a grandmother wanting to invest in your grandchildren, this conversation will leave you inspired, equipped, and ready to gather your people. In this episode you'll learn what the "scribbler" stage really is (ages 4–8), why play is the real work of childhood, how to structure a low-prep, high-impact playdate, the surprising fruit of multi-generational community, and why older moms hosting playdates is one of the most powerful gifts in a homeschool community.   This episode of Everyday Educator is sponsored by CC Graduate Degree in Latin Studies: Classical Conversations is excited to announce the launch of our new accredited Graduate Program in Latin Studies, an 18-credit hour program designed specifically for homeschooling parents who want to deepen their understanding of classical Christian education in Latin writing and translation. This graduate program provides academic recognition for your dedication to classical learning while offering a pathway to advanced study in Latin through our partnership with Southeastern University. Register today to secure your spot in this transformative educational experience. Click Here to Begin Your Classical Journey

Send us Fan MailEP253: What happens when a school principal becomes a homeschool mom? Listen in as two former educators talk about their choice to homeschool. In this episode, Jean is joined by Mandy Davis of Home Built Education, a former public school principal who stepped away from the system to homeschool her three children. Together, they explore what really changes when you leave traditional education ~ especially the mindset shifts, the unlearning, and the courage it takes to trust yourself and your child in a new way.If you've been searching for the “best homeschool curriculum,” feeling pressure to keep up, or trying to recreate a classroom at home, this conversation offers a calmer, clearer path. Jean and Mandy discuss letting go of comparison, questioning benchmarks, and redefining progress as real growth for the child in front of you.They also tackle the socialization myth and what healthy social development actually requires from parents ~ whether kids attend school or not. You'll hear practical ideas for creating a daily rhythm, embracing family-style learning, and setting realistic expectations for formal instruction. This episode is full of encouragement and permission to skip what your child already knows, protect childhood, and follow the “sparks” that bring learning to life.If you enjoy this kind of grounded homeschooling encouragement, subscribe, share this episode with a homeschooling friend, and leave a review so more parents can find us.Find the Show Notes hereRegistration for the Taproot Teacher Training 2026 is now open.Join us Aug 6-9 in northeast Ohio for 4 days of hands-on workshops, the lively arts, meaningful conversations, and time in nature.This year is our 20th anniversary—what a special time to gather with me, and the Taproot Team of experienced homeschooling mentors.Find Taproot 2026 details and register here. Support the showThanks for listening!

In this episode, we're talking to the homeschool mom who feels behind and constantly caught in comparison. You'll learn how to reset your perspective, redefine real progress, and take simple next steps to move forward without pressure or overwhelm. Show notes are at https://www.4onemore.com/352

Today I talk with Sarah St. Clair about building a mission-led business and a women's retreat community while homeschooling six daughters and staying grounded in what success means to her. READ MORE HERESARAH ST. CLAIR'S INFO:@sistersrenewedpodcast on InstagramPodcast: Sisters Renewed