Over my years of mothering and homeschooling four kids, I gradually learned to deschool.
FYI that term, deschool, wasn’t even a WORD when I began homeschooling, so I would have described the experience with a different language.
If you’ve heard me share my story before, you might have heard me say that I was done homeschooling in a way that was self-torturing (requiring my kids to sit still, be quiet, and open their baby brain beaks widely so mama force feeds them an education).
This is my story of deschooling.
Not to be dramatic or anything, but I really did feel like my version of school-at-home was just force-feeding my baby birdies.
A little bit more about my story of deschooling…
If someone could have walked alongside me, challenged my notions of what an education was anyway, and helped me get clear on whether my approach was actually working for me and my kids, I would have enjoyed my homeschool a whole lot more.
I also would not have felt like I was pushing a boulder uphill (aka four kids), and I would have been at ease and peace as we followed our path and as I trusted myself and my kids more.
Now, I did figure all this out, but I figured it out the hard way.
It took a whole lot of boulder-pushing, frustration, and hitting the wall of my own unrealistic realistic expectations with my kids when I told them to “sit still, be quiet and open their baby brain beaks.”
(Not a direct quote, but you get the idea…)
When I did learn to let go (after I read John Taylor-Gatto, thanks John!) and with a whole lot of trial and error AND a whole lot of contemplation about what unhelpful mindsets I might not want to be thinking anymore, I discovered that I had a homeschool lifestyle accompanied by a whole lot more freedom, purpose and individualization.
My story of deschooling brought us a whole lot more freedom and purpose.
I’ve been writing about how to deschool your homeschool if you want to make your journey easier, more purposeful, and freer too.
- How to Use the Practical Deschool your Homeschool Checklist
- What do homeschoolers want to deschool from: let’s get specific
- How to practically deschool your homeschool mindset
- How to deschool 101
- Is there a Helpful Connection between Self-Care & Deschooling?
- Why do you want to deschool? Clarify before you begin.
- Deschooling and Life Purpose: Is there a connection?
- Is deschooling a fad or is it here to stay?
- Get free Deschool Coaching for More Freedom & Individualization
- Why Deschooling? To Feel Confident, Certain & Good Enough
- Join the Deschool your Homeschool Challenge
You can reimagine your homeschool life too!
You can use the Deschool your Homeschool Checklist for more freedom, individualization, and purpose in your homeschool too.
Get the Deschool your Homeschool Checklist here.
xx
Teresa, your Homeschool Life Coach
ps You’ve got this girlfriend! But if you wonder if working with me one-on-one would make the process smoother and simpler, book a free coaching call here.

Deschool your Homeschool Journaling Workbook
Deschool your homeschool journaling workbook that aids in your self-exploration, to get clear on how you can bring freedom & individualization into your homeschool.
People also ask:
- Is there a Helpful Connection between Self-Care & Deschooling?
- Why do you want to deschool? Clarify before you begin.
- Deschooling and Life Purpose: Is there a connection?
- Is deschooling a fad or is it here to stay?
- Get free Deschool Coaching for More Freedom & Individualization
- Join the Deschool your Homeschool Challenge