The Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast: Real Strategies for Your Real Homeschool Life

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. 🍂 Fall — The Philosophy of Learning September, October, November Why do we homeschool? What do we actually believe about how children learn? Fall is when we go back to the roots. September — Free to Learn by Peter GrayDo you actually trust your child to learn — or are you still operating from a school mindset you never examined? Gray makes the research-backed case that children are biologically wired to learn through self-directed play. Even if you’re not unschooling this book will crack something open in you. October — How Children Learn by John HoltThe foundational text of natural learning that reminds you why you chose this life — and gives you permission to trust your child’s curiosity more than any curriculum. We’ll be joined by Pat Farenga, the man who kept Holt’s legacy alive, for a virtual visit. November — Learning How to Learn by Barbara OakleyHow does your brain actually learn — and are you teaching your kids in a way that works with their neurology or against it? Oakley draws on the world’s most popular online course to explain focused attention, diffuse thinking, and why rest is not the enemy of progress. ❄️ Winter — How Children & Adults Grow December, January, February Winter is the practical quarter. We get into the how — and we use the quieter season to spice things up and capture a new vision for our homeschools. December — Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine LevinsonWhat would it look like to bring more beauty and intentionality into your everyday homeschool life? This is the clearest, most accessible introduction to Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of living books, narration, and nature study. Cozy and grounding for a December read. January — Mindset by Carol DweckNew year, new mindset — literally. Are you modeling a growth mindset for your kids or are you secretly still stuck in a fixed one? Dweck’s framework is something every homeschool mama needs to sit with — especially in how we talk about failure and effort with ourselves and our children. February — The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud & Ned JohnsonWhat happens when you give your child more control over their own life — and why does that feel so scary? This neuroscience-backed book validates what many homeschool families already sense intuitively and gives you the research to trust it. 🌸 Spring — The Creative & Writing Self This is my favourite quarter of the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026. March, April, May Spring closes the year in creativity and honest self-reflection. When a mama feels energized and fueled in her own life she is more energized and fueled for her kids. March — Writing Down the Bones by Natalie GoldbergWhat if writing isn’t about being a writer — what if it’s about finally hearing yourself think? Goldberg treats writing as a spiritual practice not a performance and this book will change how you think about your own voice even if you’ve never considered yourself a writer. April — The Book of Alchemy by Suleika JaouadWhat would happen if you kept a journal — not to record your days but to understand them? Jaouad’s gorgeous memoir in essays and journaling prompts gathered from a hundred writers and artists is the perfect companion for building a practice that actually sticks. May — Please Look into the Mirror by Michaela AngemeerWhat am I still carrying from my own mother — and what do I want to put down before I pass it to my kids? This Canadian poet’s collection of prose and poetry about the mother wound, inner child healing, and cycle breaking is a courageous and fitting close to a year of honest self-reflection. 🎉 June 2027 — Celebration The group votes. We revisit a favourite, celebrate the year, or dream up the next list together. That meeting is a party. What Moms Are Saying About the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026 “Before joining the Collective I often felt alone in my homeschooling journey, constantly second-guessing my choices and comparing myself to others. But after becoming part of this group I’ve experienced unwavering support and genuine connection like never before. Now every Friday feels like a reset — a space where I’m truly seen, understood, and encouraged. There’s no competition, no judgment — just compassionate women who have my back.”— Michelle, Collective member “It is the only thing I have successfully and consistently time-blocked. I love the real-time interaction with other mamas working on so many similar things in themselves, their home, and their families.”— Sarah, Collective member & homeschool mama of 4 “I have really appreciated the book club this year. And I’ve read some familiar authors and topics but there are also titles and topics I haven’t considered and I’ve really benefitted from these. I love that if we don’t read the books it’s totally okay. Sometimes it’s nice to scope out the book at the meetup and read it later if it sounds interesting.”— Whitney, homeschool mama of 4 Three Ways to Join the Homeschool Mama Book Club 2026 The Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026 is the one thing I wish someone had offered me in my early homeschool years. 1. Start with the Permission Slip — freeIf you’ve been last on your own list for too long, this is where to begin. The Permission Slip is a free checklist of 14 daily anchor practices for the homeschool mama who keeps coming last. Not a to-do list. A daily reminder that you are allowed to matter in your own life. Get the free Permission Slip here → 2. Join the Book Club Newsletter — free, every WednesdayEvery Wednesday morning a warm thoughtful email lands in your inbox drawn from the books we’re exploring together. Reflections, journaling prompts, and practical takeaways — even if you haven’t read the book. Even if you never plan to. Sign up for the free Book Club Newsletter here → 3. Join us live in the Confident Homeschool Mom CollectiveEvery Friday at 10am Pacific a group of homeschool mamas gathers to talk about the things that actually matter. Roundtable conversations. Book club discussions. Writer’s Room sessions. Actionable strategy sessions. Real talk about what it actually feels like to do this every day. Your first Friday is completely free. Join the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective here → Try Your First Friday Free You Have Been Last Long Enough Listen. You didn’t choose this life because it was easy. You chose it because something in you knew it mattered. And that something — that instinct, that conviction, that stubborn love — is still in you. You’re still here and still showing up. That deserves more than survival. It deserves a good book, a supportive community, and someone who asks how you’re really doing. The Homeschool Mama Book Club 2026 is that place. Come find us. 🧡 Get My Weekly Book Reflection Want to Go Deeper? No Homeschool Group Near Me? Find Your Community Here! Bored Homeschool Mom? Why It’s Normal (+ What Helps) Homeschool Mom Book Club for Inspiration, Growth & Clarity How Can You Live a Charged Homeschool Mom Life? Awakened Homeschool Family: Living with Purpose, Learning from Heart Radical Acceptance Homeschool: Playing Big in Your Homeschool Journey How Alison Gopnik informs my Homeschool in 5 Ways How to Use Nonviolent Communication in our Homeschools Reclaim You: Rediscover Life Beyond the Homeschool Mom Role You’re Invited to the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective Dive into 10 Helpful Books for Homeschooling Moms! How Brene Brown’s Atlas of the Heart Influences our Homeschools Grow Yourself Up: A Guide for Homeschool Mom Personal Growth Healing the Mother Wound for Homeschool Moms Must-Read Books for Homeschool Moms: Why These Books, Why Now, & Why You 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');