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Homeschooling is not just an educational choice—it’s a lifestyle that shapes the heart of your family and your growth as a mom.
But for many of us, at times, this lifestyle choice can feel overwhelming to the point of stressed out or even burned out. There’s so much going on, so many little voices, and so many expectations, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters.
In the podcast conversation, Leigh Nguyen, the host of the Little by Little Homeschool podcast, and I, discuss the nuances of long-term homeschooling, what we would have let go of, and what we’re grateful for, the beauty of family connection and memories, and the lessons we’ve gathered from years of guiding our children.
Join us as we share the essential lessons from two experienced moms discussing the heart of homeschooling.
“I want moms to look back someday and see those years and say they were totally worth it.”
In this episode, we share the 7 essential lessons from two experienced moms who’ve homeschooled for many years…
Lesson 1: Align Your Homeschool with Your Core Values
At the heart of a successful homeschool experience is clarity on your core values. What truly matters to your family? What lessons and experiences do you want to prioritize for your kids?
- Reflect on your core values.
- Is it creativity?
- Lifelong learning?
- Adventure?
- Connection with nature?
This helps you cut through the noise of external expectations and focus on creating a homeschool that reflects your unique vision.
Practical tip: Create a family vision statement that includes the values most important to you and your children. This can act as your compass when making decisions about curriculum, activities, or even how to spend your day.
Lesson 2: Build a Support Network
Homeschooling can sometimes feel isolating, especially if you’re doing it alone. A support network is necessary—not just for your children, but for you too. Whether it’s joining a local co-op or participating in an online community like the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective, being part of a group that understands your unique challenges provides encouragement, accountability, and new ideas.
Practical tip: Schedule regular check-ins with other homeschool moms to discuss what’s working, what’s not, and offer each other support. Make time for a weekly “homeschool mom room” or book club to keep your connections consistent.
Self-care isn’t an option. It’s a requirement.
Lesson 3: Nurture the Nurturer: The Importance of Self-Care
One of the most common mistakes homeschool moms make is neglecting themselves.
Not a week goes by when I haven’t heard a mom confess that she really doesn’t think about what she needs AND she’s so done with it all!
Incorporate self-care practices into your homeschool day. These can be as simple as taking a 10-minute mindfulness break, going for a short walk, or even journaling for clarity at the beginning or end of the day. A wellness challenge is a great way to build self-care into your routine, giving you daily opportunities to reflect, exercise, and nurture your sense of self.
Practical tip: Start your day with a simple wellness routine that includes a morning routine, midday practice, and evening reflection. Focus on reducing stress, gaining clarity, and maintaining your energy throughout the day.
Lesson 4: Child-Inspired Learning
One of the joys of homeschooling is the ability to customize an education to your child’s needs, interests, and learning approach. Lean into child-inspired learning by allowing your child’s interests to lead the way, and discover a dynamic homeschool.
Practical tip: Regularly check in with your children about what interests them. How can you integrate those interests into their lessons? This not only keeps learning engaging but makes homeschooling a whole lot easier and fosters a deeper connection with each child too.
Lesson 5: Reimagine Unrealistic Expectations
Too often homeschool moms carry unrealistic expectations about what they should achieve. Whether it’s having a clean house or hitting identical learning milestones as the neighbour kids, these pressures can make us feel bad about ourselves.
But who can achieve these things without a housekeeper, a nanny and a cook?
And spoiler alert, very few homeschool families have those.
We need to reimagine what success looks like for our specific family by letting go of what we “should” be doing and accepting or reality of an imperfectly perfect homeschool family life.
Practical tip: Perform a time audit. Where are you spending time that doesn’t align with your values? What can be dropped or adjusted? Leave room in your schedule for solitude and margins.
Lesson 6: Create Healthy Boundaries
Establishing clear boundaries is essential for mental health and satisfying relationships. Whether it’s with extended family members, your partner, or even your children, setting boundaries helps maintain a healthy dynamic where everyone’s needs are respected.
An example: setting a predictable homeschool routine while building in breaks for yourself ensures that you’re not overextending your energy. Additionally, creating boundaries around external opinions can protect you from feeling overwhelmed by criticism or unsolicited advice.
Practical tip: Write down areas where you feel overwhelmed or stretched too thin. What boundaries can you set to protect your peace and well-being? It might involve communicating your needs to family members which could make for an uncomfortable conversation, but you need to do it.
“Sometimes, in some years, we need to just put our head down and be like, I’ve got to put blinders on and I just got to do the work.”
Lesson 7: Choose a Growth Mindset
Finally, embrace the mindset that homeschooling is an evolving journey. Perfection isn’t the goal—growth is. Mistakes, challenges, and changes are all part of being a homeschool mom (also being a human). By adopting a growth mindset, you allow yourself and your children the grace to learn, adapt, and flourish in your own time.
Practical tip: Incorporate regular reflection sessions into your homeschool routine. What went well this week? What was challenging? How can you adjust? This practice not only builds resilience but also helps you celebrate the small wins.
Final Thoughts: Essential Lessons From Two Experienced Moms
At the core of homeschooling is the desire to build a deep, authentic connection with your children while guiding them to the next steps in their life.
No question: life will invite you to honor your growth and well-being along the way too.
Ready to Go Deeper? If you’re ready to transform your homeschool journey, join me for the upcoming free webinar: Reclaim your Homeschool Joy–From Overwhelmed to On Purpose.
You can find Leigh and her resources at:
- Listen to the Little by Little Homeschool podcast here.
- Learn more about Leigh Nguyen here.
- Find Leigh on Instagram.
Overcoming Homeschool Overwhelm Journaling Workbook
Journal questions & workbook that aid in your self-exploration to help address your needs, gain satisfying relationships and shift your homeschool perspective.
This can be a self-coaching workbook can be a self-coaching tool to help you discover the barriers getting in the way of your satisfying homeschool life, create a plan to address your relationships, needs & homeschools, and thereby, shift your homeschool experience.
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- Practical (& useful) steps to boundaries in your homeschool
- Deschooling and Life Purpose: Is there a connection?
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.
Subscribe to the Homeschool Mama Self-Care podcast
Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventure
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
