Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Nurturing the Nurturer

Here’s what I’ve learned about the realities of homeschool, what I’ve learned about myself, and what I’ve learned about my homeschool kiddos in my time away.

“Four cranky. 2 pouty. 3 sweet but pushing boundaries++ 1 really trying. See ya tonight.” (Short and sweet report, as is typical of my husband).

Somewhere along the line, we thought coding their identity with their number placement in the family kept their privacy. It did until it didn’t. At their age of this particular writer’s conference weekend away, we couldn’t spell their names out loud or even say them in French–because the kids learned their names in French too. So, the number thing worked.

And if my husband so chose to go off-script he would improvise on a dime and the kids loved it anyway.

Spontaneous conversation about the history surrounding the theatre production of Hamilton? Check.

Delete math studies so they could play a game of math dice and statistics? Check.

Someone said they didn’t know how many countries started with the letter Q? Gotta rectify that. By the way, trick question, there’s only 1 country that begins with Q.

The kids don’t understand what “first past the post” means in our parliamentary government? Gotta chat about that.

But ALL day?

Somewhere during that afternoon away, my daughter messages on her iPod: “Dad’s really not letting Rachel and Zach get away with anything anymore”.

“Oh, you think he used to?” I giggled. He’s got his own relationship with his kids. He’ll do things his way, because he’s a separate person. These words may have been spoken to myself like a mantra in our early parenting days as I came to understand that I wasn’t the only parent creating a unique relationship with my kids.

Besides that I learned I liked sleeping in a bed where no one woke me up at night and that I liked ordering food, instead of making it, and not having to wash the dishes either, I learned a few other lessons that weekend too.

Some homeschool critics have suggested they wouldn’t want to be with their kids as often as I have been. That would be too hard.

And they are not wrong, some days.

When you’ve home-educated long enough, you know that you do indeed get to be with them more than you need to some days. The kids would say the same at times too fyi.

Perhaps the one thing schooled parents are benefited by: separation. (Not coincidentally, this very same thing we know benefits our kids, because, ya know, “connection, attachment, and healthy socialization via our homes”.

Consider this: the first time schooled parents see their kids each afternoon is a moment of anticipation: Oh HI! Tell me about your day?

That question would be a little odd if you walked to and from the mailbox each afternoon, opened your front door, and yelled, “Kids, I’m home! How was your day?”

And they’d yell back: What are you talking about? You know. You were here.

Space fosters appreciation. Taking breaks from being with your kids constantly can help you (and them) appreciate each other more. Sometimes, a little distance goes a long way in refreshing the family dynamic.

Read more: How you might be able to get quiet and find time away.

I’m nearly 24 years into parenting, and yet, just twelve years into parenting had already long learned that I need to have my own identity, outside of my role as mother.

Though I love love love the mother role, and have been honoured to have my sweet lil things in my arms when they couldn’t walk, hand in hand when they did, and in the seat beside me as THEY drive themselves to their jobs.

Yet, I am separate from them too.

You need an identity beyond “mom.” It’s vital to nurture something that’s just yours—whether it’s a hobby, passion, or career. It reminds you that you are a separate person. When you do, it replenishes your energy and allows you to show up as a more fulfilled and patient parent. Ask me how I know. ps pre-mothering I wouldn’t have believed this if I hadn’t lived it.

Read more: Developing you Beyond the Homeschool Mama Role

In our western culture, we’re taught what’s valuable…

• producing faster than the speed of light is VALUABLE,

Being a homeschool mama and influencing the culture by teaching other humans how to be kind, compassionate, connecting, intelligent, conscientious, engaged humans is awfully meaningful–whether anyone tells you that or not.

ps I’m telling you that now.

Loving those that you care for and infusing them with interpersonal skills and affirming their value and worth is VALUABLE. Helping children lead meaningful lives on purpose: check check check, your role on this earth is remarkably valuable.

Your role is more valuable than society might suggest. Being a homeschool mom is more than just managing a household and enacting studies routine. You’re shaping the next generation, which is priceless.

Read more: Learn not to care what other people think, homeschool mom

As a writer, I get a LOT written and a LOT researched when the kids aren’t in earshot.

Obviously…

Their sweet little voices compel us to listen, to pay attention, to notice even when we’re trying to do anything else — we become the queen of multitaskers, though I don’t recommend practicing it intentionally, you’ll likely become very good at it with a whole lot of training.

That’s why when they leave for an outing with auntie, you feel like you can get so much done so much more quickly.

You can achieve more with uninterrupted time. While homeschool days are busy, time away can remind you how productive you can be when given the space. There’s a lot going on around you. It’s a wee bit distracting. Prioritize finding quiet moments, whether it’s afternoon quiet times, early morning routines, or time away at the library.

Read more: 7 ways to find quiet & build boundaries in your homeschool

Coffee shops are overrated for writers: there’s great cappuccinos, free WiFi, and a fun coffeehouse playlist, but unless I’m planning a new character for my fiction novel (which I was writing in my earlier homeschool days) or learning natural dialogue (aka listening to other’s conversations and recording them)…a quiet library stall is the ideal place for thinking and writing.

Quiet spaces can spark creativity. If you’re struggling to focus at home, consider finding a calm place like a library or a cozy cafe to gather your thoughts. Silence is often the best backdrop for creativity.

Read more: How to Encourage Homeschool Mama Creativity

We can’t do everything for everyone.

However, treating our littles with gentle kindness and gazing into their eyes as they tell their stories is as important for us as it is for the mama who spends 40 hours away from them.

It also increases the likelihood that your kiddos will spend more time happily playing if they get connection time with you: aka eyeball to eyeball time.

ps I offer a workshop on how to incorporate realistic eyeball-to-eyeball time as a homeschool mom in the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective.

It’s useful to get away. Get perspective. Learn a few things that living on this globe of busyness and noise sometimes distracts us from hearing.

We need to make it a habit to regularly take time to tune into ourselves. Also, we need to build time away from the kiddos to reassess our homeschool life too: because we want to show up intentionally in our typical days, we want our educational and personal values to align with our real activities, we want to clarify whether we’re being realistic and to recharge, relax, and get clear on what we want for ourselves (as well as your kids).

Be gentle with yourself and your kids. The homeschool lifestyle can be challenging, and it’s easy to justify impatience when overwhelmed. But continue to be kind to yourself and learn yourself—and offer your kids the same kindness—ps this gentle energy can significantly shift the atmosphere in your home.

Introducing Your Ultimate Wellness Guide, an ideal guidebook for homeschool moms seeking effective strategies to maintain physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. This comprehensive guide offers practical tips, actionable steps, and easy-to-follow instructions to help you prioritize self-care, manage stress, and enhance your overall homeschool experience. Get your copy now and take the first step towards a healthier and happier homeschool mom life!

I wouldn’t turn back to change that choice for a second.

Though I would change the content of some of my days…my reactivity toward that frustration or overwhelm, I would have built in self-awareness practices and a gentle accountability partner, I would have begun a quest to know myself, my needs, my curiosities much earlier, and I would have leaned into customizing an education toward each of them them a whole lot faster; however, I am privileged and thankful that I learned what I learned when I needed to learn it, that I was willing to listen and learn, and that I had the privilege to home educate my children.

Homeschooling, despite its challenges, is deeply charmed. No matter how tough some days feel, remind yourself that homeschooling is a choice rooted in love. The frustrations are part of your story, but the rewards are worth every hard moment.

Time away not only recharges us but also helps see how rewarding this homeschool journey really is. Challenges and all, there’s no journey we’d rather be on.

I’d like to hear from you: what have you learned about the realities of homeschool, about yourself and your children as you’ve spent time away?

Introducing the Homeschool Mama Retreat: an oasis for overwhelmed homeschool moms longing for clarity, confidence, and rejuvenation. Designed for those seeking to break free from doubt, perfectionism, and monotony, this retreat offers a transformative experience to refresh, renew, and reimagine your homeschool mom life.

Join me on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment as we:

Release Your (Unhelpful) Homeschool Mindsets: Overcome doubts, redefine your purpose, and gain confidence as a homeschooler.

Renew Your Homeschool (& Life) Vision: Craft a vision that aligns with your values and aspirations, breathing new life into your homeschooling journey.

Recognize (& Plan For) Your Big Emotions: Tackle common challenges like overwhelm and perfectionism with practical strategies and support.

Reimagine How You Want to Show Up in Your Homeschool (& Life): Rediscover yourself beyond your homeschool identity and prioritize your well-being.

Renovate Your Self-Care Strategies: Develop nurturing routines, prioritize your health, and cultivate mindfulness for a balanced life.

Celebrate Your Ordinary Miracles: Embrace your journey with gratitude and find inspiration in the everyday moments of motherhood.

Join the ranks of empowered homeschool moms who have found solace, support, and renewed purpose in our retreat:

“An oasis for overwhelmed moms…a transformative experience!” – Cheryl, Homeschool Mama of 4

“Refreshed, renewed, and ready to tackle homeschooling with confidence!” – Carla, Unschool Mama of 1

“Rediscover the joy and purpose in your homeschool journey!” – Britt, Homeschool Mama of 3

Ready to reclaim your joy, purpose, and sanity in your homeschool mom life? Begin your retreat journey today.

• How to Handle Homeschool Overwhelm

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.

The post 7 Remarkable Lessons from a Weekend Away: Homeschool Realities appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

“A lot of the work in homeschooling is working on ourselves as parents. ”

Angela and I both agree that we need to spend our time rethinking homeschooling. Homeschooling isn’t about following a strict curriculum or adhering to a method.

It’s about focusing on the unique needs of your child.

Too often, we might get caught up in wondering, “Am I doing this right?” But the truth is, it’s less about doing homeschooling “right” and more about creating an environment where your child feels supported and able to grow into who they are meant to be.

As children reach the age of individuation—where they start carving out their own identities—it’s necessary for us as parents to honour their need for independence.

Homeschooling offers a beautiful opportunity to nurture this without stifling their curiosity. In our chat, Angela and I shared how we both strive to help our kids grow into thoughtful, independent thinkers who don’t follow us—or anyone else—blindly. (And I also acknowledge that I have found this challenging!)

Here’s something that might make you pause: Have you ever considered how much we value compliance in our homeschooling?

We might even point to our most compliant child as the “success” story. But is that really success? Shouldn’t success mean raising kids who are confident enough to take risks, even when it means not doing what’s expected? Our conversation touched on creating a home where it’s okay to question, to think differently, and to take paths that might look unconventional.

If you’re a new homeschooler, feeling the weight of imposter syndrome—welcome to the club! We’ve all been there. But here’s the reality: You know your child better than anyone. Angela and I encourage all new homeschool families to trust themselves, reach out for support when needed, and avoid the comparison trap.

Homeschooling asks us to be comfortable with doing things outside the norm. It’s not easy at first, but once you lean into it, you’ll find the freedom to shape your homeschool around your family’s values and rhythms.

Writing her book gave Angela the opportunity to solidify her ideas, which felt like a huge accomplishment. She also spoke about her shift in identity—from being a teacher to a homeschooler, and now navigating life as her kids are growing and becoming more independent.

In this interview, I also shared how I’ve grown to stop defending my choice to homeschool. I’ve realized that homeschooling isn’t a badge to wear or something to defend—if you want to homeschool, I’m here to support you. If not, that’s okay too.

• Learn more about Angela & Maren here.

Introducing the Homeschool Mama Retreat: an oasis for overwhelmed homeschool moms longing for clarity, confidence, and rejuvenation. Designed for those seeking to break free from doubt, perfectionism, and monotony, this retreat offers a transformative experience to refresh, renew, and reimagine your homeschool mom life.

Join me on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment as we:

Release Your (Unhelpful) Homeschool Mindsets: Overcome doubts, redefine your purpose, and gain confidence as a homeschooler.

Renew Your Homeschool (& Life) Vision: Craft a vision that aligns with your values and aspirations, breathing new life into your homeschooling journey.

Recognize (& Plan For) Your Big Emotions: Tackle common challenges like overwhelm and perfectionism with practical strategies and support.

Reimagine How You Want to Show Up in Your Homeschool (& Life): Rediscover yourself beyond your homeschool identity and prioritize your well-being.

Renovate Your Self-Care Strategies: Develop nurturing routines, prioritize your health, and cultivate mindfulness for a balanced life.

Celebrate Your Ordinary Miracles: Embrace your journey with gratitude and find inspiration in the everyday moments of motherhood.

Join the ranks of empowered homeschool moms who have found solace, support, and renewed purpose in our retreat:

“An oasis for overwhelmed moms…a transformative experience!” – Cheryl, Homeschool Mama of 4

“Refreshed, renewed, and ready to tackle homeschooling with confidence!” – Carla, Unschool Mama of 1

“Rediscover the joy and purpose in your homeschool journey!” – Britt, Homeschool Mama of 3

Ready to reclaim your joy, purpose, and sanity in your homeschool mom life? Begin your retreat journey today.

• 7 Easy Ways to Incorporate Writing into Your Homeschool Mom Life

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.

Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventure
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The post Rethinking Homeschooling: It’s About the Child, Not the Method appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

Who are you beyond your homeschool mama identity and what will be the next contribution of your life outside your homeschool mama role?

“Perhaps the most important lesson one can teach: you are someone and you have a right to your life”.

Natalie Goldberg recognized she was unconstrained and didn’t need to look outside herself to know herself and be herself.

She was a person outside of other people.

That would be me at thirty.

Thirty years old, released from my notions of people-pleasing and attempting to smooth out things that were out of my control.

And it was during this time that I recognized I had a voice.

A voice that also liked to write.

Walking away from that writing conference, I was determined to write.

I had finally found myself.

No one gave me a writing pen, or saw my talent, or gave me permission. I just wanted to write.

Anyone who has letters after their name, money in their bank account, or loads of followers is deemed to have made a valuable contribution.

We all were created for a reason.

Unique reasons for each one of us. 

With internal compelling for different activities, different thought lives, and different approaches.

With the demands of those around us and the demands we place on ourselves by listening to other’s opinions on our lives, we are not always living our lives or allowing our voices to speak. But we can.

What should you be doing right now to fulfill your reason for being alive? To live your life on purpose.

“There are two important days in your life. The first was when you were born. The second was when you found out why.”

1. I stopped listening to myself because the voices around me were so loud; eventually, I came back to me, because I learned to listen to myself.

Homeschooling can be a transformative journey, helping us realize our identity extends beyond the homeschool mama role.

In the first column of your journal, list the key areas of your life. These might include:

• Well-being (physical, mental, emotional)

Tip: Focus on the areas that are most relevant to you.

In the second column, list the values that guide your decisions and actions in each area. These values reflect how you wish to operate in each aspect of your life.

Examples of values might include:

• Health: Self-compassion, balance, wellness

Tip: If you’re unsure of your values, start by searching for value lists online or consult the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective for ideas.

In the third column, reflect on your current challenges in each of these areas. Ask yourself:

• Where am I currently in each of these areas?

For example:

• Health: “I’m struggling with staying active due to fatigue. I feel frustrated and discouraged.”

Tip: Be honest and specific about how you feel in each area and identify what’s holding you back.

In the fourth column, describe your ideal outcome for each area of life. What would your life look like if you were living according to your values?

Then, ask yourself what changes you need to make in order to reach that ideal. This might include:

• Health: “I want to feel strong and energized. I’ll start with gentle exercises and give myself time to heal.”

Create a realistic action plan:

• What specific steps do you need to take?

Tip: Small, consistent changes over time often lead to bigger transformations. Be patient with yourself.

• How can I embody my values in small, daily actions?

Journal questions can aid in your self-exploration, to get curious about what your reasons for boundaries issues may be. They can be a self-coaching tool to help you clarify your needs, your relationships, and your identity, so you can get your needs met & become more you. This 31-page self-coaching workbook will be your best tool to build boundaries.

• writing to Become Your Genuine Self: 3 Reasons Why You should write

I help overwhelmed homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.

The post Discover Your Unique Voice: Beyond your Homeschool Mama Identity appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

Today I intend to explore how to homeschool with integrity: how to stay true to your values, how to live this homeschool mom life with integrity by aligning your activities with your values, learning to trust your intuition, and letting go of external pressures.

(The inspiration for this episode).

Caveat: in this discussion, in The Way of Integrity, Martha Beck explains that integrity involves aligning with one’s true self and deep knowing, creating a sense of wholeness and authenticity, while moral imperatives represent external rules imposed by society or authority that may pressure individuals to conform, often leading to conflict with their genuine feelings and desires.

In the last couple weeks, I went LIVE on socials. I asked the three-word question that can shift everything you do, every choice you make in your homeschool, every activity you put into your routine, whether something related to your kids, your needs, and even everything you put into your online shopping carts.

Though I often am initially introduced to a homeschool mom with a scenario related to her homeschool life.

“I have homeschooled for 19 years with 8 more years to go. Help! I’m beyond TIRED. I’d love inspiration to continue on the journey. Oh, and how did you cultivate self-motivated learners?”

“Just starting homeschooling. Feeling excited but overwhelmed. I need support and reassurance.”

“I’ve been fully homeschooling for 4 years now (off and on before that). My kiddos are all elementary level in their work currently, one has more significant special needs. Already planning out our next year together! I want to know how we harmonize homeschooling/making our kids a priority and making sure we take care of ourselves?! I so easily swing into one extreme or the other and feel like I’m walking a tightrope to find that sweet spot between caring for others and caring for myself too.”

• Prescribe a method,

How do I know?

1. because I’ve parented teenagers, and I know that no one wants to be told what to do

These questions will help you clarify what really matters…

1. Who are you really, and how does the person you are aligned with what you’re doing or who you’re friends with today?

2. When you’re craving time away, what is the reason you’re craving time away, what would you do if you had more of it, and if you could build something beyond your homeschool life, what would you build or create?

3. Are there areas where you feel you’ve had to compromise?

4. How do you handle unsolicited advice about your homeschool? Have you ever felt torn between your intuition and meeting other’s expectations?

5. Have there been moments in your homeschooling journey when you realized you were out of alignment with your true desires? How did you course-correct?

6. Has there been a time when you changed your homeschool methods or curriculum to reflect your family’s needs or values better?

7. How do you manage the pressure to create a ‘perfect’ homeschool environment? Why does the idea of “perfect” even matter to you?

8. How much of your homeschool decisions are based on your intuition about what’s right for your children versus following conventional education or even conventional homeschool wisdom?

9. What aspects of your homeschool family life bring you the most joy and fulfillment, and how do those align with your family’s values and goals?

Wayne Dyer shared, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”

Ask yourself:

1. “What I’m most afraid to know is…”

Here are lessons from The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck for homeschool moms is an excellent self-coaching tool.

“In [our] rush to conform, we often end up ignoring or overruling our genuine feelings—even intense ones, like longing or anguish—to please our cultures. At that point, we’re divided against ourselves. We aren’t in integrity but in duplicity”​– “The Way of Integrity” by Martha Beck

Reflect on whether your curriculum choices align with your true values instead of conforming to your local homeschool community’s expectations.

Ask yourself if your routine, the time you spend, the activities you choose, and even the extracurriculars you sign up for really reflect your values, or if you’re doing them because everyone else is doing them.

Are you participating in particular organizations that don’t support who you really are anymore? Are you “making nice exchanges” with friends or family and feeling like you’re not being your true self when you’re with them?

“Integrity is the cure for unhappiness. Period.”​–“The Way of Integrity” by Martha Beck

Set aside time to assess areas of homeschooling or parenting that cause stress. You can do this via journaling, a helpful tool to identify where you are pushing yourself to meet external expectations and where you might need to reduce internal conflict.

Book a conversation with me to learn more about coaching and how it can be a facilitating tool to get clear on your internal conflict. I like to say I’m a clarifier, a challenger, and a cheerleader. Right down to the metaphorical pom poms.

In the words of one homeschool mom I met in person last week…

“I hadn’t fully realized how important it is to have a safe space to look at all the layers of the home learning lifestyle and (my)self, with someone who truly gets it and has lived it. Just speaking out loud some of my thoughts/worries/hopes/stuck spots, and having them reflected back, and having you hold the space was already so helpful.

“Above all, please learn to trust your inner teacher. Your instincts will tell you when things are true for you”–“The Way of Integrity” by Martha Beck

You have permission to do it your way: you can learn to trust your instincts when it comes to knowing what works best for your children. If a method or schedule feels off, it might be time to pivot. The beauty of this home education thing is that you are supposed to be individualizing an education for your kids. They are not in a brick-and-mortar classroom, not bound by an institutionalized life, and you decided to home educate because…why? Whatever that why is, follow that…trust your instincts.

Regular mindfulness practices, meditation, prayer, or quiet reflection can help you tap into this inner wisdom, making decisions that feel right for your family. But that means you need to schedule that time. Choose a day, put it on your calendar, and bring your journal.

You’re always invited to the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective to have those introspective chats with other homeschool moms who want to homeschool their kids authentically, confidently & purposefully too.

So, dear homeschool mom, if you want to homeschool with integrity: stay true to your values, trust your gut!

If you want to rethink education altogether, read here.

“It’s simple logic: if you don’t walk your true path, you don’t find your true people. You end up in places you don’t like, learning skills that don’t fulfill you, adopting values and customs that feel wrong”​–“The Way of Integrity” by Martha Beck

Homeschool moms often face criticism or unsolicited advice from well-meaning relatives, friends, or even strangers. Living in integrity means you need to protect your time and energy. If you’re an INFJ in Meyer’s Briggs, Enneagram 4, highly sensitive person, determining to organize the community homeschool co-op is not designed for you. Learn how much time and energy you actually have and live within those margins.

Just this week, practice saying “no” to outside obligations that don’t align with your homeschool or personal goals. If you want to homeschool with integrity: stay true to your values–what can you remove from your to-dos this year?

ps As my husband and I were coming in from a leisurely “Netflix and chill evening” from our patio under the stars, I mused on how much I miss the homeschool family life. “Hmmm,” he mused, “what I don’t miss is the constant back-and-forth driving to town.”

For those partnered or married. Do you want to be? And why are you still? Girlfriend, we just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this past week–I’m in awe and gratitude to have celebrated these years, these stories, this remarkably significant growth journey alongside my husband. So lest you think I don’t value this relationship, that’s most definitely not what I’m saying.

Get clear on why you’re married or partnered, and why you want to be. I remember one friend, who was divorced and remarried, share with another friend a jarring question: do you WANT to be married though?

This is a question worthy to answer. Because if you do want to be partnered with your person, but not in the way you’ve been doing it, you’re living out of alignment. If you don’t want to be partnered to your person, but you’re doing it because you feel you have to, for so many possible reasons, you’re living out of alignment. Your internal sense of integrity is being messed with. Consider sorting that out.

A post shared by Teresa Wiedrick (@homeschoollifecoach)

“If you hold on to your self-respect and truth, you’ll find the power to create a life of joy for yourself and your children”–“The Way of Integrity” by Martha Beck

When kids see their mom prioritizing alignment with her truth, they learn to value authenticity and self-awareness in their lives too.

Moms can incorporate lessons on emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and authentic living by living it out in from of them. They can encourage children to explore their own interests, ask questions, and be honest about their feelings. And you can affirm it by listening.

1. The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck

“The secret to happiness is simple: commit your whole being to whatever is true for you. Don’t resist it, don’t fight it—just flow with it. That’s integrity”–“The Way of Integrity” by Martha Beck

Beck’s focus on living in alignment with truth, rather than perfection, can liberate homeschool moms from the pressure to create a perfect homeschooling experience.

Homeschooling is a journey of growth and learning for both the parent and the child. Do you notice how aligning with what you know to be true helps you let go of rigid standards and allows room for creativity, spontaneity, and more presence in your day-to-day? What’s not to love here!?

Instead of striving for perfection in the homeschool life, you can focus on being present to the messy, noisy, demanding life that is the homeschool mom life, and also work to create an environment where growth and authenticity take precedence over rigid expectations.

Then your perfectionist tendencies will disappear into the woodwork just as the newly purchased scissors disappeared too.

Consider incorporating any of the six lessons above.

I hope this will bring you more alignment and joy in your homeschool mom journey.

If you’re looking for even more support and a community that really gets it, come join us in the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective. It’s a space where you can be the real you, we can lift each other, celebrate our wins, and overcome our challenges together. I’d love to see you there!

These beautifully crafted affirmation cards are infused with empowering statements to inspire and uplift, guiding you on a journey of self-love, forgiveness, and harmonious parenting.

• Crack the Loneliness Code: How to Find Homeschool Community

I help overwhelmed homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.

The post Homeschool with Integrity: How to Stay True to Your Values appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

So what fun activities for first-day homeschool party can we include?

Here are 15 Fun Activities for First Day for our Homeschool Party:

We each have a dictionary and we each race to a word that I suggest. Here’s why: so they know where the dictionaries are, also I can introduce new vocabulary, and it’s an easy game that kids of all ages can do (well, ‘reading’ kids anyway).

Yes, we really do this. No, it’s not adhered to like a legal document, but it is a good reminder of how we want to engage our siblings.

“We, the Wiedrick siblings, in order to form a more healthy relationship and have a happier home, do solemnly intend to do the following: help a sibling out, take turns and share, never borrow anything without tasking first, return borrowed items promptly in the same condition they started in, respect each other’s privacy, always knock before entering each others’ rooms, give each other space when friends are over. No spying or tagging along, try to talk out problems and solve disagreements, listen to each other side without interrupting, take responsibility instead of blaming each other, treat each other with kindness, respect, and forgiveness.”

An ongoing process for all of us, but if there is a useful lifelong educational tool, it is this one. Learning to identify our feelings, learning self-soothing techniques, learning assertive approaches to engaging others about our needs, and making sure we’re taking care of ourselves and advocating for it: all lifelong relational training 101. (I slip this discussion in everywhere I can.)

Yes, Wikipedia is a useful tool, but I like to reinforce that so are actual paper books like a biographical dictionary. (Though, anyone after 2000 doesn’t exist in my present version, ha.)

Cause it’s fun. Cheesy, but fun. (Naturally, I use the same jokes over and over and over and over…

Here are a few jokes for the Homeschool Mom too.

Both to get the kids to think about how they learn best and for me to facilitate it. We might take learning quizzes or discuss how we learn. We discuss these questions: what are you passionate about, what do you see as your greatest strength, what are your challenges, what field trips do you want to take, what extracurriculars do you want to include, and what community do you want to build?

You can also read more on how kids learn here.

With ‘dear future me’ letters. Just for fun.

Last year we bought a periodic table poster and strung up the numbers of Pi (well, obviously not ALL the numbers of Pi).

And if you’re scratching your head, wondering if it makes any sense that we’re decorating a room that I’ve told you we rarely use JUST for homeschooling, remember: it’s a tradition!

This game always works. Take a red, tell me something about yesterday, take an orange, tell me something you do well, take a yellow, tell me something about your childhood, take a blue, tell me something you learned last week, take a brown, tell me something you can’t live without, take a green, tell me something you have watched or listened to lately.

If anything spells fall, it’s PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE.

…you did last summer’s list. An introductory writing project (and it’s a thing from school I loved, so we do it just for fun).

ps Here are 50 things I learned before my 50th birthday.

And 13 things my daughter learned before her 13th birthday.

…for easy breakfasts. I’m not into waffles myself, but the kids like to have freezer waffles on hand (that actually taste good), so they make dozens.

If you want to meal plan, here are ways I did it…

• How to Enable Cooking in the Homeschool Kitchen

…for afternoon reading time (gummy worms), a jar of Jeopardy candy (for Friday Funday), and a tray of apple sugar cookies or apple slices with PB, choco chips, and coconut for tea and reading.

• a readaloud family book list we love (& provides adventure too)

Just because you’ll want to remember those photos in the years to come…

Introducing the Reimagine Your Homeschool Workbook! Reflect on the past year, assess what worked and what didn’t, and build the homeschool you truly want. Evaluate curriculum, routine, philosophy, and plan for the future. Get renewed inspiration and fresh ideas.

• A Little Women Birthday Celebration Turned Homeschool Fun Day

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.

The post 15 Fun Activities for First Day of Homeschool Party appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

Today, I’ll share Riley’s story on building an authentic homeschool life and how she uncovered valuable lessons that can enrich our authentic homeschool life too.

Riley is a dedicated homeschool mom of five. She loves hanging out with her kids, delights in the learning opportunities they share, and makes the homeschool co-op a delightful place to be.

Her journey is an example of the challenges many of us face, too. She tries to balance the needs of her children with her own needs: almost always, the kids’ needs win out.

She is incredibly empathetic, always anticipating others’ needs, yet often second-guesses herself when she makes decisions. Riley struggles with setting boundaries, fearing she will disappoint those she cares about.

Despite her deep desire to connect with others, she tends to hide her true self, as she is worried about being judged or not fitting in.

However, Riley is committed to personal growth and that’s why she initially joined me to learn more about coaching.

• She doesn’t talk to herself as kindly as she talks to her kids.

It turns out that life coaching is so much more!

Initially, I asked her a variety of questions to begin our quest for her clarity:

1. What specific goals do you have for your writing practice, and how do you envision these goals helping you gain clarity?

• Riley had past traumas, present anxieties, and yet a deep desire to be her truest self.

Though her goals were clarified throughout our coaching program, she established her intentions toward an authentic homeschool life.

She declared, “I can speak my truth, I can accept myself, and I can even like being with myself”. She finds a place on her mirror to write those words and repeat them to herself each day.

You can grab your Homeschool Mama Daily Affirmations here if you have yet to create your own intentions.

These beautifully crafted affirmation cards are infused with empowering statements to inspire and uplift, guiding you on a journey of self-love, forgiveness, and harmonious parenting.

I am her gentle accountability partner, her cheerleader, her clarifier, and also her challenger. She puts the strategies into place, experiments with them, learns why they sometimes don’t work, then tries again. We reconnect in our next coaching conversation and in email whenever she needs.

• Helped her create a structured routine that allows her to process her thoughts and feelings, leading to a clearer sense of self and direction in her homeschool, relationships, and life purpose.

• Confidence and assertiveness training to help her set and maintain boundaries without feeling guilty or fearful of being wrong.

• Mindfulness and communication strategies to help her stay grounded and handle interactions thoughtfully.

• Community support and building internal validation mechanisms to reduce reliance on external approval.

Every homeschool mom has many stories, many plots throughout her 30 to 55-year-old years (ps If you’re 29 or 56, you’re invited to chat with me too;).

I hear the common stories: losing your marbles with the kids, wanting to do right by your kids, but not sure you are, and wondering if you and your homeschool choices are good enough (NOTE: I just said those are common stories because they are. Your’e uncommon if you’re not experiencing them).

This is Me

When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, and I am bruised
I am who I’m meant to be, this is me
Look out ’cause here I come
And I’m marching on to the beat I drum
I’m not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me

–Song by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

I had to live my challenging stories, and I had to begin my journey to unravel my challenging stories, to own my voice and show up here in Studio C (where I record my podcast), to be available to share my challenging stories so I could meet to connect with yours.

My goal as a Certified Life Coach & homeschool mentor is to help you implement positive changes in your lives, and to create an A.C.T.I.O.N. plan to address them:

A = Assessment:

Assess the current situation and identify areas for improvement or change. This involves reflecting on challenges, strengths, and goals to determine the most effective course of action.

C = Clarity:

Gain clarity on the desired outcomes and objectives of your action plan.

T = Tools and Resources:

Identify the tools, resources, support systems, and perspective shifts needed to implement your action plan consistently.

I = Implementation:

Develop a step-by-step plan for implementing in your action plan.

O = Ongoing Accountability:

Continually monitor progress towards goals and objectives, making adjustments as needed. Regular check-ins help track progress, identify challenges, and celebrate successes along the way.

O = Optimization:

Optimize the action plan by refining strategies, leveraging strengths, and addressing obstacles that arise.

N = Nurturing:

Provide ongoing support, encouragement, and accountability to nurture your implementation process.

Riley created this A.C.T.I.O.N. Plan…

Clarify Values: Assess and clarify your family values, personal values, and home education values. This foundation will guide all your other actions and decisions.

Identify Emotional Triggers: Ask yourself why you’re being hypervigilant in certain situations. Understanding these triggers is key to managing your emotional responses.

Vision Your Perspective: Ask yourself in your journal, “What is the lens you want to use to see your world?” Decide on the perspective that aligns with your highest values and goals.

Define Your Highest Self: Regularly ask, “How is your highest self being invited to be present and even to play?” This clarifies the qualities you wish to embody.

Journaling and Self-Coaching: Determine to journal your thoughts and feelings regularly. This will be a vital tool for self-coaching and self-healing.

Creative Self-Care: Invest in creative tools and activities that fuel you. Actively share your story and true self with those you genuinely feel connected to. This step involves putting your values and clarity into practice.

Develop Mantras: Create and repeat personal mantras in the mirror. This reinforces positive self-talk and aligns your mindset with your goals.

Routine Check-ins: Routinely ask yourself, “What story have you told yourself?” when you face challenges, particularly when feeling sad. This ongoing self-awareness will help maintain accountability.

Reflect on Children’s Narratives: When faced with your children’s challenges, ask, “Can my kids have hard narratives too?” This keeps you accountable for recognizing and supporting their experiences.

Self-Reflection and Adjustment: Continuously reflect on your journaling and self-coaching efforts. Adjust your strategies as you learn more about your needs and responses, ensuring that you optimize your growth.

Foster Self-Loyalty: Commit to learning not to betray yourself. This nurturing step involves ongoing self-commitment and the continual encouragement to honor your true self in all situations.

Journal questions can aid in your self-exploration, to get curious about what your reasons for boundaries issues may be. They can be a self-coaching tool to help you clarify your needs, your relationships, and your identity, so you can get your needs met & become more you. This 31-page self-coaching workbook will be your best tool to build boundaries.

• 6 Hidden Challenges of the Homeschool: Support for Parents

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.

The post Finding Her True Self: From Anxious to Authentic Homeschool Life appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

Since I’ve learned to do it myself, I know you can incorporate writing into your homeschool mom life too.

Start your day with a few moments of quiet reflection and writing.

So, grab a cup of coffee or tea, find a cozy corner, and let your thoughts flow onto the pages of your journal. Write about your thoughts, dreams, and goals, or simply express gratitude for the day ahead. This practice can help set a positive tone for the day and ignite your creativity.

I’ve made it a ritual to start my mornings with a steaming cup of coffee and my journal in hand. There’s something magical about those quiet moments before the day begins. I’ll write about a dream I had the night before or a lingering thought from yesterday. Or intention words for my upcoming day.

Those moments of clarity and intention stayed with me, helping me maintain a sense of calm even when the kids were squabbling over breakfast.

• A Daily Homeschool Mama Journal for You!

Introducing the Reimagine Your Homeschool Workbook! Reflect on the past year, assess what worked and what didn’t, and build the homeschool you truly want. Evaluate curriculum, routine, philosophy, and plan for the future. Get renewed inspiration and fresh ideas.

One afternoon, while my kids were deeply engrossed in their art projects, I decided to steal a few minutes for myself. I set a timer for 15 minutes and sat by my bedroom window with my notebook. At first, the words came slowly, but soon I was lost in my thoughts, writing about a childhood memory. When the timer went off, I felt refreshed and ready to dive back into our homeschool day.

Take short breaks throughout the day dedicated solely to writing.

Whether it’s during a quiet moment when the kids are engrossed in drawing, on their screens, or during a designated quiet time after lunch, you can use these snatched moments to write.

For instance, set a timer for 15-30 minutes, find your favorite writing spot, and allow yourself to dive into your creative world.

(Even if all you write is “I don’t know what to write, I don’t know what to write, I don’t know what to write”. Just do it for 15 minutes).

Every spring, I would take our homeschool lessons outside. While the kids played in the garden, I brought my journal and found a sunny spot under a tree.

The fresh air and the sound of birds chirping was a refreshing change from our usual indoor routine, and it reminded me of the beauty of slowing down and being present.

Integrate writing exercises into your children’s study time. Use prompts and creative writing activities to foster their imaginations while engaging in your writing practice.

While they write, you write too.

Consider carving out specific moments during the day dedicated solely to your self-care, and include writing as part of that routine.

Whether you write during nap time after the kids have gone to bed, or even after waking up a bit earlier in the morning and prioritize this time for writing. Use it to explore your thoughts, work on personal writing projects, or simply enjoy the act of writing as a form of relaxation and creative expression.

For instance, take advantage of nature’s inspiration by incorporating outdoor writing sessions into your homeschool routine.

Set up a cozy writing spot in your backyard or visit a local park or nature reserve. The fresh air, serene surroundings, and change of scenery can invigorate your creativity and be a welcome break from the typical homeschool environment.

Initially, I was hesitant to join a writing group, worried my efforts wouldn’t measure up.

But once I did, I found an incredible community of supportive, like-minded women. We shared our work, offered feedback, and encouraged each other. Through this group, I grew as a writer and made wonderful friends.

Join writing groups, forums, or online communities to connect with other homeschool moms who share your passion.

Note: sharing your work with others and receiving feedback is motivating and helps you grow as a writer.

• Introducing Britt Acciavatti, Self-Love Note Writer & Eclectic Homeschool Mama

I used to struggle finding time to write amidst the busyness of our homeschool days. But then, I decided to set aside Wednesday evenings just for myself. I’d leave the house and head to a cozy corner of the local café with my notebook in hand. It became my sacred writing time, a few hours each week where I let my thoughts flow uninterrupted.

Set a specific time each day or week that is designated solely for your writing.

Communicate your needs to your family, set boundaries, and explain the importance of uninterrupted writing time.

1. Put a timer outside your bedroom door (or wherever you’re writing) and let the kids know not to interrupt you until that alarm dings. Obviously, they’ll need practice to believe that you don’t want to be interrupted, but soon enough, they’ll learn when you’re done.

So, commit, find your creative space, and let your words flow.

Writing is a powerful tool for homeschool moms, providing an outlet for self-expression, a means of self-reflection, and a way to manage stress. It helps track personal growth, reconnect with passions, and improve communication skills, all while modeling positive behaviors for children.

So, grab a journal, let your thoughts flow, and see the positive impact writing can have on your life.

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”

–Anne Frank

Introducing the Daily Homeschool Mama Journal, your perfect companion to build time for yourself! With daily journal questions, weekly planner, and self-care activities, enhance your self-awareness and explore your identity while taking care of yourself. Start practicing self-awareness today!

• Five Points for Finding Your Writing Voice as a Homeschool Mom

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.

The post 7 Easy Ways to Incorporate Writing into Your Homeschool Mom Life appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

Leslie Martino, author of The Joy of Slow, homeschools her four kids, organizes learning groups, and works as an educational consultant, writing curriculum, training teachers, and coaching parents in interest-based, child-directed learning. Additionally, Leslie is a Pilates instructor and natural health enthusiast.

“Doing more and being more pales in comparison to getting better at becoming.”

• How Leslie wrote the book and clarified her understanding of homeschooling and motherhood.

• About Leslie and what she offers.

Introducing Your Ultimate Wellness Guide, an ideal guidebook for homeschool moms seeking effective strategies to maintain physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. This comprehensive guide offers practical tips, actionable steps, and easy-to-follow instructions to help you prioritize self-care, manage stress, and enhance your overall homeschool experience. Get your copy now and take the first step towards a healthier and happier homeschool mom life!

• Why I Homeschool, Unexpected Challenges & My Transformation

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.

Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventure
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The post The Joy of Slow: Homeschool & Wellness with Leslie Martino appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

Why I homeschool? Because wandering around this wide world, and discovering all it has to offer, is an interesting, engaging, intriguing way to live a family life. And I loved doing it with my kids.

(Though the late fees were enormous!)

Oh, and wandering bookstores and libraries during school days: this is an amazing life!

Or bringing those books to the local cafe to “CafeSchool” and enjoying special drinks while listening to adult conversations while the kids play games or finish their books.

Driving around the neighbourhood or driving to a new town to discover museums and botanical gardens or nature centers with my kids, listening to audiobooks in the minivan, or completing a math workbook while we drove there was fun! Mini-van schooling is underrated.

Also, our family could create a meaningful social network with values that mattered to us was a cool way to live our lives too.

It was a book I casually picked up from a bookstore on a vacation. I intended to find the arguments against it because I didn’t want my kids to be weird and I didn’t wear jean jumpers, yet it seemed like everyone around me was homeschooling. So I needed my arguments against it.

So I knew I could engage the academic elements of an education, despite only surviving high school. I was crazy motivated so I knew I could do it. This would be a fun adventure in learning all the things I didn’t learn in school! (Did I have gaps? Oh yes! Didn’t you?)

Since my husband planned to work part-time and we would travel part-time, I knew we’d give our kids loads of interesting experiences as we traveled. And we did, you can read about them here.

We’re highly engaged people doing interesting things so the kids wouldn’t lack variety.

I knew we’d find social opportunities because we were already doing that.

However, what we had pre-homeschooling was a life that didn’t fit.

Our life didn’t feel authentic. There wasn’t a lot of us in it. We were doing what everyone else was doing. Signing up for the same life everyone else was living: letters after our names, numbers in the bank account, not enough time together, but nice house, two-car garage, annual vacations, investments, soon-to-be membership in a local church, birthing babies born with a full Baby Gap closet, and when they got old enough, signing them up for the local private Christian school.

Our life didn’t feel purposeful. As much as I adored my two daughters’ kindergarten teacher, and still do, knowing that my kids were in a classroom not being challenged, beyond memorizing ASL hand signs for the alphabet in their first official school year, yet coming home to prepare dinner so we could turn around to return to the school to participate in a communal soup and cracker night felt time-consuming and not-so-meaningful when we could all join together in the kitchen on Saturday to make soup and crackers, minus the fanfare.

Our intent to homeschool wasn’t just about choosing an individualized education for our kids or giving them an education that felt more robust with the values we approved.

It wasn’t just determining which curriculum we liked, or what social network we would encourage for our family. Though it was all those things.

And though we didn’t have life figured, and still don’t, we categorically knew we were choosing an intentional life.  

This homeschool thing wasn’t hard because I didn’t know how to ‘teach’ someone (in fact, I did, I didn’t recognize at the time that mothering IS teaching.)

This homeschool thing wasn’t hard because I didn’t choose the right curriculum (curriculum choice has little impact on a life well-lived).

And this homeschool thing wasn’t even hard because family and friends weren’t supporting it.

Of course, I had high hopes for a charmed homeschool life (that’s why I titled my blog, Capturing the Charmed Life).

I was looking to replace a hard childhood — a tumultuous, always on-the-edge of my seat, emotionally dysregulated, nervous system overstimulated, confusing, insecure childhood—I was determined to replace it with an idyllic 1980s sitcom, circa Cosby Show, Family Ties, Growing Pains childhood. If the Huxtables can figure out family conflict in 22 minutes and then live happily ever after, I could too.

Turns out, homeschooling is no panacea for the broken-hearted. 

And it’s also not a panacea for those who had a predictable, occasionally annoying, disappointing, frustrating childhood.

(Where I wanted to send the kids on whatever yellow school bus passed by).

But when I did, I had a life-changing homeschool day.

• Was it kids fighting with each other?

I don’t recall. I’m not sure it’s relevant. Because it could have been any or all of those things. All these things were part of a typical frustrating homeschool day at that time.

I didn’t understand how to assert my needs, so I was spent. I didn’t know how to be vulnerable to share those needs anyway.

Underneath that layer of spent-ness, I had a self, a person, a young Teresa that never grew up to become the adult Teresa that needed acknowledgment, consistency, safety, and security.

And I didn’t know myself, nor did I invest time in becoming more me.

I was trying to do a whole lotta things for my kids and my husband, the things that I would have needed when I was younger.

I was doing a lot of the things for my kids that I needed for me, but I didn’t consciously know that’s why I was doing them.

At the time, I didn’t understand that a home education didn’t need to resemble a prestigious private school. Though I was trying to make one.

Perfection was the only option: perfection meant I did enough-–and if what I did was one smidge less than perfection, what I was doing was not enough.  

If I let myself do less than perfect, I acknowledged what I had already been told as a child (in no minced or hyperbolic words): you are nothing, you are worthless.

Now I couldn’t be reminding myself that this was true. So I didn’t. Perfection was the only option and must be maintained or else that imperfection would reveal that I was indeed nothing and worthless.

I remember that “hitting the wall” day, feeling exasperated before 9 am. Certainly, I remember yelling at the kids. I don’t remember the specifics. But I do remember I left the kids in the family room with our morning basket, and I excused myself angrily to my bedroom.

I texted my husband for help. He was too busy in emerg (a physician) to message me back.

So I texted my friend. She was a more seasoned mom and could listen to my real mom freak-out moments. Since she just finished watching a Ted Talk by a lady named Brene Brown and she found it impactful, she told me, “You should watch it right now.”

And I did and everything changed. (Well it was the beginning of changing everything).

• Learning to become more me.

I had a whole lotta things to learn.

I repeatedly have conversations with other homeschool moms with these challenges too; especially in the last five years, as I walk alongside them to support them to become the real them.

I support homeschool moms to shed what’s not working, so they can show up authentically, confidently, and purposefully in their homeschools & lives.

(And it’s an absolute pleasure to do it!)

Book a conversation with me here.

Introducing the Reimagine Your Homeschool Workbook! Reflect on the past year, assess what worked and what didn’t, and build the homeschool you truly want. Evaluate curriculum, routine, philosophy, and plan for the future. Get renewed inspiration and fresh ideas.

• 7 Ways to Live your Best Life: Self-Care for Homeschool Moms

I help overwhelmed homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.

The post Why I Homeschool, Unexpected Challenges & My Transformation appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.

Here’s how I see John Holt & Pat Farenga can inform your homeschool…

“Homeschooling isn’t just another instruction delivery system; it shows us alternative ways to teach and learn, and to participate in family and community life; ways to find work or get into higher education without jumping through the standardized hoops of mass-market schooling; ways to use school rather than have school use you”–Pat Farenga

When we first begin our homeschool journey, we don’t realize that it’s not just about a delivery system for knowledge bits, but rather a way, a lifestyle, and living a life purposefully.

“The most important factor in the development of a child is the relationship between him and his parents.”–John Holt

We realize very quickly into our homeschool journey that the learning opportunities, the curriculum choices, the routines, the planners, and even the discussion on homeschool socialization, aren’t the most important element of our homeschool family lives: it’s the relationships within our homes.

“Children learn from anything and everything they see. They learn wherever they are, not just in special learning places.”–John Holt

Though I designed a homeschool room because it seemed like the responsible thing to do at the time, I discovered that kids learn in the mini-van, the park, at the grocery store, and even in the doctor’s office when we visit.

Kids learn everywhere.

Because it’s what they were born to do.

“Learning is not the product of teaching. Learning is the product of the activity of learners.”–John Holt

Because we’re so saturated in a school-based culture, we assume that what the school tells us is true: we can’t learn unless we have a teacher, we can’t learn unless we have a book and a writing utensil and instruction.

It just ain’t so. Kids learn because they are meant to.

Learning is what happens when you get out of your kids way.

“The child is curious. He wants to make sense out of things, find out how things work, gain competence and control over himself and his environment, and do what he can see other people doing.”–John Holt

Our homeschool kids might do what they’re told if their resistance and disinterest are met with consequences, but it won’t internally motivate them.

I believe true motivation comes from within, and our homeschool mother role lies in creating an environment that nurtures curiosity, independence, and a genuine desire to explore.

“We learn to do something by doing it. There is no other way.”–John Holt

Married to a medical doctor, I’ve heard the story again and again: in medical school, med students were educated with this belief: see one, do one, teach one.

If you want to learn how to sew up a wound, you have to watch someone sew up a wound. Then when you had another opportunity to be in the presence of another patient’s wound, you asked if you could do it. Then the next time you had another chance, you taught someone else how to do it.

Therefore, you learn because you do.

“We have to trust the child as a learner, as someone who wants to learn, who is curious, who wants to get on in the world, who wants to find out.”–John Holt

I believe there’s very little impetus for individuated existence in our hyper-dependent systems thinking. In other words, we’re told to follow along, fall in line, and do what everyone else is doing.

Turns out, we each weren’t placed on the planet for the same reasons: we’re here for different reasons. And our kids were meant to be here for unique reasons too.

Just as John Holt writes, we have to trust each child to follow their learning paths, so they can maintain their curiosity and go out into the world to do meaningful things for their lives.

By leaning into child-led learning, we can enable our kids to take ownership of their education and lives, fostering a deep sense of curiosity and autonomy toward their learning.

Breaking free from the constraints of traditional schooling is liberating.

Deschooling our homeschools involves letting go of preconceived notions about education and embracing a more flexible and holistic approach. We can create an environment that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning.

You’ll see the zoom link in the Homeschool Mama Support Group on the morning of the Book Club.

Your favourite local bookshop presently.

(Or on my Homeschool Mama Book Club Book Shop).

On Amazon, unless you live where I live, then it’s at my local bookstore too.

PS my book is called Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Nurturing the Nurturer.

Yes, the nominal Book Club purchase enables the Zoom group platform.

(Oh, and it costs you time. You’ll have to find a quiet hour and a half away from your kids and responsibilities to spend time on YOU!)

Why, yes I do! But FYI, it’s always expanding. 

You can find the Homeschool Reading List here.

If you’d like a book list for Homeschool Mama’s Personal Growth Reading List, you can find that here.

I also have a Homeschool Mama’s Relationships Reading List.

Usually about an hour.

Absolutely! I’ll share my insights from the book and how they apply to our homeschools.

If you have thoughts, insights, or questions, we will all benefit from the discussion.

You are most welcome to join our monthly Support Chats, and group coaching, or connect with me one-on-one for coaching.

I offer one-on-one coaching sessions.

Do you want to address your challenges around overwhelm, big emotions, boundaries, deschooling, and anything that might keep you from showing up on purpose in your homeschool (& life)?

• 9 Common Mistakes That Can Make Your 1st Homeschool Year Stressful (& How to Avoid Them)

I help overwhelmed homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.

Call to Adventure by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3470-call-to-adventure
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The post John Holt & Pat Farenga Teach Homeschoolers How to Learn appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.