In this episode of The Ultimate Homeschool Community Podcast, I’m chatting with Shelley Mechette about something so many moms struggle with—the pressure to somehow balance it all.

Motherhood, homeschooling, work, relationships, personal goals, and everything in between can leave us constantly trying to keep all the plates spinning. But what if balance isn’t actually the goal?

Shelley encourages moms to throw the idea of the perfect balancing act out the window and instead focus on creating harmony—recognizing that different areas of our lives will need more of us in different seasons.

We talk about releasing unrealistic expectations, becoming intentional about what deserves our attention, and creating rhythms that allow us to experience more peace instead of constantly feeling pulled in every direction. If you’ve been trying to “do it all” and wondering why you still feel overwhelmed, this conversation is an invitation to stop chasing balance and start building a life that works together in harmony.

About The Ultimate Homeschool Community:

https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool

Listen and Subscribe on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/TjZy21hoMQA

What if resistance isn’t defiance—but information? In this episode, we explore why true educational success requires more than getting kids to comply, and how parents can create greater buy-in by giving children meaningful choices, understanding what may be behind their resistance, and building an educational ecosystem where they can thrive.

From homeschool and microschools to mentors, co-ops, community programs, and traditional schools, the goal isn’t finding the “perfect” model—it’s continually asking, “What does this child need to thrive right now?” 

About Deborah:

Free Resources: https://regen-lab-flow.base44.app/resources

About The Ultimate Homeschool Community:

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About Wylde Scott:

check out our first episode about imagination: https://youtu.be/QY05BkFDWeE?si=ZI2dYPWfac-bWkFM

About our Podcast Partner the Homeschool Counseling Network:

Kimberly Bennett, LPC, is a seasoned clinician (20+ years in professional counseling), a homeschool parent (8 years), a nonprofit leader, and the founder/CEO of the Homeschool Counseling Network, where she champions culturally responsive allied health, mental health, coaching, and consulting support for homeschooling families.

Homeschoolers' Mental Health Toolkit:

** Share and Subscribe so more families can find our resources** This is the third episode in the series of what is PDA. Tiffany and Kaitlin discussed the challenges of modern life, including technology overload and increased expectations, which have led to overwhelming perfectionism and difficulty coping with daily demands. They emphasized the importance of addressing personal reactions before trying to solve problems, using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as a framework. The conversation highlighted the distinction between mental health issues and reasonable responses to life's challenges, with Kaitlin suggesting that many behaviors labeled as problematic are actually reasonable responses to overwhelming circumstances.

About Kaitlin:

Kaitlin Wilder is a BCBA of 15 years with experience supporting “problem” behavior across a variety of ages and abilities in public and alternative education, home and community-based ABA therapy, school consulting, and ACT based life-coaching. After burning out as a public school SPED teacher and BCBA, she’s spent the past 5 years integrating ACT into daily life and ABA practice and ditch the force and control for stress reduction and well-being. She’s here to bring “modern day ABA” of ACT to help humans of all ages and abilities end their daily loops and stop fixing their “problems” so they can find meaning in their lives.

Podcast Partner: Homeschool Counseling Network 

Kimberly Bennett, LPC, is a seasoned clinician (20+ years in professional counseling), a homeschool parent (8 years), a nonprofit leader, and the founder/CEO of the Homeschool Counseling Network, where she champions culturally responsive allied health, mental health, coaching, and consulting support for homeschooling families. The Homeschool Counseling Network is a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to homeschool‑friendly care by training professionals in cultural responsiveness, ethics, and best practices, and supporting families through advocacy, resources, and community education. HCN equips providers with specialized training and offers families practical tools, guidance, and a vetted directory of professionals who understand the homeschool experience.

Website: www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com

Free Mental Health Resource: https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com/mental-health-toolkit

https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com/categories

About The Ultimate Homeschool Community: Grab our Freebies https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool

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Kaitlin and Tiffany discussed how avoidance and attachment patterns from childhood can influence behavior and emotional responses, particularly in parenting situations. They explored how technology, including food and environmental factors, contributes to behavioral issues like PDA, with Kaitlin emphasizing that many technological developments initially intended to help have unintended negative consequences. The number one skill is about using self-awareness as an intervention strategy to address these behavioral patterns.

About Kaitlin:

Kaitlin Wilder is a BCBA of 15 years with experience supporting “problem” behavior across a variety of ages and abilities in public and alternative education, home and community-based ABA therapy, school consulting, and ACT based life-coaching. After burning out as a public school SPED teacher and BCBA, she’s spent the past 5 years integrating ACT into daily life and ABA practice and ditch the force and control for stress reduction and well-being. She’s here to bring “modern day ABA” of ACT to help humans of all ages and abilities end their daily loops and stop fixing their “problems” so they can find meaning in their lives.

About The Ultimate Homeschool Community:

Tiffany and Kaitlin discussed PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidance) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) on their podcast. Kaitlin explained that PDA involves an overwhelming avoidance of demands to a debilitating level, distinguishing it from typical behavior. She emphasized that ACT can be used by behavior analysts to address cooperation challenges in modern society, where humans face difficulties balancing immediate and long-term gratification. The conversation briefly touched on historical comparisons between the 1900s and present day.

About Kaitlin:

Kaitlin Wilder is a BCBA of 15 years with experience supporting “problem” behavior across a variety of ages and abilities in public and alternative education, home and community-based ABA therapy, school consulting, and ACT based life-coaching. After burning out as a public school SPED teacher and BCBA, she’s spent the past 5 years integrating ACT into daily life and ABA practice and ditch the force and control for stress reduction and well-being. She’s here to bring “modern day ABA” of ACT to help humans of all ages and abilities end their daily loops and stop fixing their “problems” so they can find meaning in their lives.

Podcast Partner:

**Subscribe and Share so more families can find our resources**

Tiffany interviewed Brad "Wylde Scott" about the importance of imagination in homeschool education. Brad, a children's author with over 20 years of experience, discussed how traditional school curriculums have moved away from fostering imagination and creativity, particularly during crucial developmental years from age 5 to 10 when the brain is pruning connections and becoming more focused on efficiency. He emphasized that parents should make imagination and creativity 60-70% of their homeschool curriculum rather than just an afterthought, and shared specific techniques including daily prompting, structured play with missions, project-based learning, and forcing silent time for deep thinking. Brad also addressed concerns about AI in education, arguing that rather than avoiding technology, parents should carefully curate device usage while providing alternative engaging activities like reading and hands-on projects. The conversation covered practical applications of these concepts, including how to implement them in project-based learning and the importance of building confidence through repeated success experiences.

About Wylde Scott:

Wylde Scott — A World of Imagination

Literacy Non-Profit | The Imagination Project

About The Ultimate Homeschool Community plus FREE Resources!

https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool

About our Podcast Partner The Homeschool Counseling Network:

**Subscribe and Share so more families can find our resources** Tiffany and Kimberly discussed the mass exodus of educators from public schools and the growing homeschool movement. Kimberly shared data on teacher turnover, especially in Texas, and explained how this systemic issue is impacting students, particularly those with special needs. They talked about the increasing demand for service providers in the homeschool community and the role of the Homeschool Counseling Network in connecting families with trained professionals. Tiffany and Kimberly also discussed school choice programs, funding, and the challenges and opportunities these changes bring for both families and educators. The conversation included personal reflections on their experiences in education and homeschooling, as well as the importance of supporting families and providers during this transition. 

Resources and Links:

Free Masterclass:

https://stan.store/UltimateHomeschool/p/educator-exit-plan-masterclass

Podcasts about ESA Funds:

https://youtu.be/O-Sz2sbF_Qc

https://youtu.be/vpKSmdw9OzA

https://youtu.be/2Qmtx5dMuTs

HCN FREE Homeschoolers' Mental Health Toolkit: https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com/mental-health-toolkit

HCN Preferred Provider Directory: https://www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com/categories

Our Podcast Partner: Kimberly Bennett, LPC, is a seasoned clinician (20+ years in professional counseling), a homeschool parent (8 years), a nonprofit leader, and the founder/CEO of the Homeschool Counseling Network, where she champions culturally responsive allied health, mental health, coaching, and consulting support for homeschooling families. The Homeschool Counseling Network is a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to homeschool‑friendly care by training professionals in cultural responsiveness, ethics, and best practices, and supporting families through advocacy, resources, and community education. HCN equips providers with specialized training and offers families practical tools, guidance, and a vetted directory of professionals who understand the homeschool experience.

Website: www.homeschoolcounselingnetwork.com

about The Ultimate Homeschool Community:

https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool

The podcast episode featured Tiffany interviewing Deborah from Regenerate Education Lab about project-based learning and creating optimal learning environments. Deborah shared her background in alternative education and her current work developing a nature-based, project-based school at Foothill Frolic Farm. She explained the importance of flexibility, real-world tools, and student interests in education, using the analogy of a charcuterie board to represent diverse learning elements. The conversation highlighted the benefits of combining project-based learning with outdoor education, citing reduced stress and increased engagement. Deborah provided practical advice for parents on creating outdoor learning spaces in their own backyards, suggesting elements like a mud kitchen, digging area, and water station. She also discussed her upcoming platform for designing and documenting project-based learning experiences. The discussion emphasized the goal of fostering lifelong learners who are curious and capable of finding their own answers.

About Deborah:

Deborah DeLisle is the founder of Regenerate Education Lab, where she helps families, educators, and schools create optimal learning environments that inspire curiosity, capability, and a lifelong love of learning. With more than 25 years of experience between public education, alternative education, nature-based learning, homeschooling support, and microschool and teacher tool development, Deborah believes that meaningful learning happens when children engage with the real world through authentic experiences, relationships, and purposeful work. She is currently helping launch Foothill Frolic Farm & Forest School in Kingsport, Tennessee, while also coaching homeschooling families and developing innovative tools that make project-based learning and educational documentation more accessible for educators. Leading a movement she calls: Regenerate Education, her passion is helping adults rethink what education can be—not by adding more curriculum, but by intentionally designing environments where children naturally become curious, confident, capable, and deeply connected to both their communities and the natural world.

Free Resources: https://regen-lab-flow.base44.app/resources

About The Ultimate Homeschool Community: https://linktr.ee/ultimatehomeschool