homeschool high school Archives

My Last Homeschooler Is Accepted to University & I Share All the Feels

Unexpected Feelings When Your Homeschooler Gets Accepted to University

By: twainausten January 22, 2026January 23, 2026

Big Emotions & Self-Compassion, Child-Inspired Learning, Confident Homeschool Mom, Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast, Help for the Real Homeschool Mom Life, Homeschool High School, Less Pressure, More Presencehomeschool high school, homeschool momLeave a Comment

My last homeschooler was accepted to university. From Legos to engineering—here’s what this milestone really feels like.

Stop second-guessing your homeschool days. A complete guide to helping our kids live their lives on purpose with actionable steps.

Helping Our Kids Live Their Lives on Purpose: A Practical Guide for Homeschool Moms

By: twainausten October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

Aligned & Authentic Homeschool Mama, Child-Inspired Learning, Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast, Deschool your Homeschool, Help for Common Homeschool Challenges, New Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom, Reimagine your Homeschoolchild-inspired learning, homeschool high school, homeschool planning, homeschooling, how to homeschool, new homeschool, time & routines15 Comments

Stop second-guessing your homeschool days. A complete guide to helping our kids live their lives on purpose with actionable steps.

I'd be happy to help you prepare for your interview with Vicki Tillman from the Homeschool High School podcast. Here's a more developed framework for your interview with additional questions and ideas to explore for each topic: 1. The "Am I Doing Enough?" Question Additional questions: What are the minimum requirements homeschool moms should focus on vs. the "nice-to-haves"? How can moms objectively assess whether their teen is on track academically? Are there specific milestones or benchmarks parents should look for at different stages of high school? How does "enough" differ based on a teen's post-high school goals? Important ideas to discuss: The balance between academic rigor and emotional well-being How to avoid comparison with other homeschooling families Documentation strategies that help ease the "am I doing enough" anxiety 2. Preparing Teens for High School and College Additional questions: What skills should teens develop in 8th and 9th grade to prepare for upper-level high school work? How gradually should parents transition responsibility to teens? What systems help teens develop executive functioning skills? What do colleges consistently say they wish incoming freshmen were better prepared for? Important ideas to discuss: The different types of independence (academic, emotional, practical life skills) Creating opportunities for teens to experience "productive struggle" How high school preparation differs from college preparation 3. College Prep Without Definite College Plans Additional questions: What college-prep elements benefit all teens regardless of their post-high school plans? How do you balance keeping options open while honoring your teen's current interests? At what point does college prep become unnecessary for teens firmly set on non-college paths? What alternatives to traditional college would Vicki recommend exploring? Important ideas to discuss: Transferable skills that matter in multiple post-high school paths How to have productive conversations with teens who are uncertain Ways to explore career paths without committing to college 4. Formal Programs vs. Self-Designed Curriculum Additional questions: What personality types or learning styles tend to thrive in more formal programs? What are the warning signs that a formal program isn't working for your teen? How can parents blend aspects of formal programs with customized learning? What subjects might benefit most from formal instruction vs. self-directed learning? Important ideas to discuss: The transition from parent-led to student-led learning How to evaluate the quality of formal programs Creating accountability without excessive structure 5. Creating Transcripts Additional questions: What are colleges really looking for in homeschool transcripts? How detailed should course descriptions be? How do you assign appropriate credit for non-traditional learning? What software or tools does Vicki recommend for transcript creation? Important ideas to discuss: Starting transcript planning early (even 8th grade) Handling special situations (learning differences, accelerated students) The importance of accurate GPA calculation 6. Developing Portfolios Additional questions: What should absolutely be included in a portfolio vs. what's optional? How can teens participate in creating their own portfolios? How do digital vs. physical portfolios compare in effectiveness? When and how should portfolios be updated throughout high school? Important ideas to discuss: Using portfolios as tools for reflection, not just documentation Showcasing growth over time, not just achievements Making portfolios subject-specific when appropriate 7. College Essays and Applications Additional questions: Beyond the pre-admission essay, what parts of college applications do homeschoolers typically struggle with? How can homeschool students demonstrate leadership and extracurricular involvement? What common mistakes do homeschool families make in the application process? How should teens approach writing about their homeschool experience in essays? Important ideas to discuss: Timeline for college application components Building relationships with potential recommendation writers How admissions officers view homeschooled applicants 8. The Homeschool Mom's Transition Additional questions: How can moms prepare emotionally for their changing role? What identity shifts do homeschool moms typically experience during high school years? How can moms maintain connection while fostering independence? What opportunities should moms consider exploring for themselves during this transition? Important ideas to discuss: Finding community with other moms in similar phases Developing interests and skills beyond homeschooling Setting boundaries between "mom" and "teacher" roles Tying It All Together To incorporate the discussion about homeschool mom transition while focusing on launching teens, you could: Frame each topic through dual lenses: How it affects the teen AND how it affects the mom Ask about Vicki's personal journey: How did she navigate these transitions with her own teens? Discuss parallel processes: As teens are developing independence, how can moms simultaneously work on their own growth? Connect emotional and practical elements: How do the logistics of transcripts and portfolios connect to the emotional journey of letting go? End with forward-looking questions: Where does Vicki see homeschool education heading in the next decade? What should today's homeschool moms be prepared for? This approach will create a comprehensive interview that addresses both practical homeschooling concerns and the deeply personal transition that homeschool moms experience during the high school years. You are out of free messages until 3:00 PM Subscribe

Navigate Homeschool High School (What You Need to Know)

By: twainausten April 3, 2025January 23, 2026

Confident Homeschool Mom, Homeschool High Schoolhomeschool high school, homeschool mom, homeschool planning, homeschooling1 Comment

Discover how to navigate homeschool high school with confidence. Practical strategies and emotional support transitioning to high school.

Can I Homeschool in Canada? Your Ultimate Guide to Support & Resources

By: twainausten July 2, 2024September 5, 2025

Confident Homeschool Mom, Help for Common Homeschool Challenges, New Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom, Newer Homeschool Mamafrequently asked homeschooling questions, homeschool, homeschool high school, homeschool in British Columbia, how to homeschool, new homeschool, time & routinesLeave a Comment

Can I homeschool in Canada? Discover the ins and outs of homeschooling in Canada with this comprehensive guide so you can feel confident.

Andrew Pudewa Unraveling the Art of Learning on the Homeschool Mama Self-Care podcast with Teresa Wiedrick, Homeschool Life Coach

Unraveling the Art of Learning with Andrew Pudewa

By: twainausten April 30, 2024October 17, 2024

Child-Inspired Learning, Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast, Deschool your Homeschool, Reimagine your Homeschoolchild-inspired learning, homeschool, homeschool high school, how to deschool, how to homeschoolLeave a Comment

Andrew Pudewa is the founder and director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and a father of seven. Traveling and speaking worldwide, he addresses teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music issues with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. Although Andrew Pudewa is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Japan (Suzuki Method) and holds a Certificate of…

What It’s Like: Homeschool to High School Transition

By: twainausten July 11, 2023January 23, 2026

Child-Inspired Learning, Confident Homeschool Mom, Confident Homeschool Mom Podcast, Help for Common Homeschool Challenges, Homeschool High School, New Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom, Reimagine your Homeschool, Reimagine your Homeschoolchild-inspired learning, homeschool high school, homeschool planning, homeschooling, how to homeschool, new homeschool10 Comments

That homeschool to high school transition is, well, different than I expected. There’s a bracing moment in each homeschool mama’s world where she realizes that her homeschooled kiddos aren’t staying kiddos forever. And though in theory, she knew this, she also found the transition unexpected in its emotional weight. In this article, I share my…