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Let me tell you what we didn’t talk about at our recent Roundtable inside the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective.
We didn’t talk about curriculum.
And we didn’t talk about the kids.
We talked about us — the women behind the homeschool mom role.
Because here’s the truth: if you don’t start tending to your whole self — not just the homeschool checklist version of you — you will burn out. Period. And not only that, you’ll miss out on the richness, the joy, and the meaning of this season. That’s why it’s so important to rediscover life beyond the homeschool mom role — to reconnect with who you are beneath the schedules and the to-do lists, and to find space for the fullness of your own identity.
So today, I’m bringing that conversation to you. We’re going to walk through seven powerful shifts that came up in our Roundtable — and I’m giving you one doable, practical strategy for each one.
These are small, intentional moves that will help you start rediscovering the vibrant, creative, thoughtful woman that’s still in there — under all the lesson plans and laundry.
Let’s go.
Here are the highlights of the Roundtable discussion to “rediscover life beyond homeschool mom role” chat:
1. Rediscovering ourselves after years of mothering
For many of us, homeschooling can become such an all-encompassing role that when we finally get some separate time, we feel lost.
Who are we without the constant demands of mothering and homeschooling?
When the noise settles and there’s quiet time, it can feel strange or even disorienting—like we don’t know where to begin. This realization led to some beautiful reflections on how important it is to reconnect with our personal identity, outside of being “mom” or “homeschooler.”
Strategy:
Block one hour this week just for you — no kids, no homeschool planning. Bring a journal and write down: “What do I want?” and “What used to light me up?” Let the answers come without editing or rushing.
2. Acknowledging that we’ve changed
Another insight we discussed is how we are no longer the people we were before we had kids.
And that’s okay.
Motherhood, homeschooling, and the demands of family life naturally shape and evolve us. Part of rediscovering ourselves is recognizing that we’ve grown, sometimes in ways we hadn’t expected.
Strategy:
Grab a photo of your pre-mom self. Write a short letter to her from your current self — acknowledge what she’s been through and who she’s become. Then ask: “What version of me do I want to grow into now?”
3. Rediscover life beyond homeschool mom role for the first time
For some, it felt like parenting became a proxy for our identities (that definitely was my experience).
We’ve been so consumed by the roles of mom and teacher that we’ve never taken the time to ask: “Who am I beyond these roles?”
This discovery can be both liberating and intimidating. It’s an invitation to explore our passions and interests that may have been buried for a while.
Strategy:
Try one new activity this month just because you’re curious. A dance class, creative writing, hiking, starting a blog — no outcome necessary. Just practice being someone who explores again.
4. Reframing success as a homeschool mom
We also shared how easy it is to measure the success of our homeschool days based on superficial markers—did we finish the to-do list? (Instead of attempt to accomplish our to-live list).
Did the kids fall in line? Did I keep my cool? Was there no bickering, complaining, whining?
But real success, we concluded, looks different.
Real success might be characterized instead as whether we feel content, connected, and generally fulfilled at the end of the day, even if everything didn’t go perfectly.
Strategy:
Each morning, before the homeschool day begins, write down one thing that will make you feel connected or content today — whether that’s reading aloud in the sunshine or laughing during math. Celebrate that win, no matter what else happens.
5. Finding time to emotionally regulate
One of the most powerful takeaways was the importance of emotional regulation and making space for ourselves to return to our center.
Homeschooling, with all its intensity, requires us to have moments where we can step back and check in with our own emotional state.
Therefore, we might want to include a quiet moment of mindfulness, journaling, or simply having time to breathe, it’s important to regularly reconnect with ourselves to stay present and feel balanced.
Strategy:
Create a 5-minute daily grounding ritual — light a candle, sit with a warm drink, breathe deeply, journal one sentence. Let your kids see you do this. You’re modeling emotional self-care.
6. Connecting with our homeschool kids
We discussed the importance of connection. One of the most effective ways to relate to our kids is to ask them meaningful, open-ended questions and really listen, no judgment.
When we’re genuinely curious about what lights them up, we create an environment of support and growth. (And it’s so much fun to create those memories with them too).
Strategy:
Each day, ask your child: “What’s something you wish we could do more of?” or “What was your favorite part of today?” Write down their answers. Then — do something with that insight this week.
7. Value of time away from our homeschool families
Finally, we tackled a big discussion point on rediscovering who we are beyond homeschool moms: the importance of getting time away beyond the grocery store.
Just a few hours of uninterrupted time—whether out for a coffee & journaling, a walk, or working on a personal project—can feel refueling. It’s a chance to reset and come back to our families more present and grounded.
But we also talked about the emotions around this, especially the guilt we often feel when we take that time. Is it false guilt or true guilt? I believe it’s false guilt as we don’t have to spend all our time with our kids — we are, indeed, spending most of our life with them.
True guilt is when we recognize we may not be engaging with our family in the way we want to. Understanding the difference is important in making peace with the time we want away.
Strategy:
Schedule one outing just for you this month and write it in your calendar like a dentist appointment. Bring your journal or a book. No guilt. Remind yourself: “I am returning to my family fuller.”
Reclaim You: 7 Ways to Rediscover Life Beyond the Homeschool Mom Role
What an enriching and eye-opening conversation about how to truly rediscover life beyond the homeschool mom role! If these thoughts resonate with you and you’re ready to reclaim you this homeschool season, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share your insights, experiences, or struggles in the comments below — let’s support each other as we step into this journey together.
You’re always welcome to join us in the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective to have a discussion too!
Let’s Chat: Take a breath right now and ask: What part of me is asking to be remembered? How can I say yes to her this week?
Let me know below!
Rediscover Yourself Beyond Homeschool Mom Guidebook
NURTURING YOU: A Digital Workbook for Homeschool Moms | Instant Download
Rediscover yourself beyond homeschooling with this 14-page guide. Packed with exercises for creativity, self-awareness, and personal growth — perfect for busy moms looking for balance and “me time.”
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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.
