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If you’re like most homeschool moms, you likely set out on this homeschool journey full of excitement, determined to give your kids the best education and life experiences possible. But somewhere along the way, that excitement waned (you’re not even sure when), and now you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and maybe even questioning if you’re enough.
You’re not alone! Been there done that.
After years of homeschooling and coaching other homeschool moms, I’ve learned that the things causing the most stress often fly under the radar because we don’t give focused attention to things that aren’t demanding our attention.
But once we identify these “unidentified flying under the radar objects”, we can make tiny shifts to move toward enjoying our homeschool lives again, so they’re not stressing you out as a homeschool mom.
Join me to explore the five overlooked mistakes that may be contributing to your overwhelm, and more importantly, how you can start overcoming them.
In this short but powerful class, you’ll explore the five pillars of well-being that help homeschool moms like you feel more grounded, supported, and joyful again.
It’s completely free and available anytime that works for you. Just pop in your earbuds, grab a tea, and soak up encouragement that can shift the way you feel in your homeschool life.
You’ll walk away with:
- Practical steps to reduce stress
- Tools to support your emotional well-being
- And fresh confidence in the unique homeschool journey you’re meant to live
So what’s stressing you out as a homeschool mom? Possibly these things…
Mistake #1: Trying to Do Everything Perfectly
This is a common refrain in the homeschool community—setting high expectations for the ideal curriculum, a flawlessly executed, robust routine, an Instagram-worthy homeschool space, and trying to be emotionally available 24/7. But here’s the hard truth: perfectionism is a happiness killer.
When we strive for perfection, nothing ever feels “good enough,” and we end up stressed and exhausted.
What to do instead: Ask yourself this simple question: What really matters? Prioritize meaningful experiences with your kids, and let go of the rest.
Progress over perfection is the only option. At the end of your homeschool journey, you’ll discover, like the rest of graduated homeschool mom-dom, that perfection wasn’t required, couldn’t be accomplished, and was never your goal anyway.
Mistake #2: Over-Scheduling
As homeschool moms, we want to offer our kids everything—music lessons, sports, extracurriculars, and of course, academic subjects. (Sometimes we want to give them what we didn’t have).
However, packing too many activities into your day is a recipe for burnout. I’ve been guilty of this myself, filling every minute with “productive” activities, only to end the day stressed and irritated.
What to do instead: Simplify your schedule. Choose fewer, more meaningful activities that align with your family’s values. Give your kids—and yourself—the space to explore, learn, and just be.
One practical tool I love is creating a “non-negotiables” list. Write down the 2–3 activities or subjects that matter most to your homeschool, then delete the rest. This lets you focus on what truly moves the needle for your kid’s growth and joy (and yours too!)
Use this when you transition between two mistakes or sections to break things up and invite reflection.
Maybe you’re hearing these mistakes and recognizing yourself in a few of them. That’s okay. We’ve all been there.
And maybe this summer is your moment to shift.
✨ Summer is your permission slip.
To follow rabbit trails.
To pause with purpose.
And to remember who you are—beyond homeschool mom.
You don’t need a big curriculum plan to start your summer well. Just a quiet moment and a few honest questions. Grab the You Be You Checklist and start reclaiming your voice, one question at a time.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Your Needs
We’ve all heard it before: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” (It’s a cliche metaphor, but it’s also accurate).
And yet, how often do we, as homeschool moms, put our needs aside? I’m calling you out because I know you do!
You’re a human being too, and all humans have basic self-care needs to survive, intermediate needs to be “okay”, and advanced needs if you want to thrive.
Ignoring your needs is a fast track to resentment and burnout.
What to do instead: Make self-care a requirement in your life. It could be as simple as 10 minutes of journaling each morning, a quiet walk, or an uninterrupted cup of tea in the afternoon (quietly inside your closet).
Mistake #4: Comparing Yourself to Others
Nothing drains your confidence & joy faster than comparing your homeschool (or life) to someone else’s.
You are exactly who you are meant to be. And so are your kids.
Your homeschool space is exactly as pretty and pristine as it should be — just as it is.
Your ability to enact a routine (or desire to even enact it) is as it should be. Maybe you don’t want the predictable routine like everyone else, maybe your ADHD prevents you from flawless consistency, despite doing four-hour deep dives into Settlers of Cattan.
You be you, girlfriend!
What to do instead: Own you. Own who you are, who your kids are, and shift your focus to your unique homeschool family journey. Every family is different, and so is every homeschool.
Mistake #5: Lack of Flexibility
If you’re anything like me, you probably began homeschooling with a beautiful plan—one that lasted all of three days before the complexity of real life took over. (ps I still tried to force through until year 3 or 4, ha).
And though you deeply desire to have perfect continuity in your homeschool, you discovered that when you attempt to be rigid about that, it only leads to unnecessary stress and frustration (ask me how I know).
What to do instead: Lean into flexibility. Regularly assess your routine, curriculum choices, and extracurricular activities to see if they’re still working for your kids and your family. Be willing to course correct when necessary, and trust that it’s okay to change course if something isn’t working.
Homeschooling is an incredible journey, but it’s also one that requires a routine, honest evaluation to clarify whether what you’re doing is really working—both for your kids and for yourself.
Assessing these common mistakes and making small shifts, you can reduce stress and increase your fulfillment.
Ready to go deeper?
Join me for the Homeschool Year-End Review Workshop — a cozy, small group session to reflect, reimagine, and reset your homeschool life with clarity and confidence.
🗓️ Live on Zoom | 💰 $57 USD | 🕑 Time TBD (very soon!)
You’ll walk away with a burnout prevention plan, personal and homeschool goals, and real-time coaching—plus your Wellness Journal + Vision Planner.
Because your homeschool life isn’t just about lesson plans—it’s about you, too.
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- The New Homeschooler’s Quick Guide: 9 Mistakes to Avoid for a Stress-Free First Year
- The Ultimate Homeschool Burnout Prevention Plan
- Reclaim You: Rediscover Life Beyond Homeschool Mom
- 12 Insider Tips for Homeschool Moms to Lower Stress
- Growth Mindset for Homeschoolers with Jenny Mouse
- Join the Homeschool Mama Retreat: Refresh, Renew, and Reimagine
- Rethinking Homeschooling: It’s About the Child, Not the Method
- How to Tame the Homeschool Stress Dragon with 23 Strategies
Teresa Wiedrick
I help homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.
Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventure
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
