In this episode, I chat with Kelsey Schaffer, a former preschool and elementary school teacher turned homeschooling mom of two. From lesson planning with a baby on her hip to unlearning the need for perfection, Kelsey shares her honest journey of building a homeschool that’s rooted in faith, play, and flexibility.

You’ll hear:

* Why she left the traditional classroom and chose homeschooling for her kids

* How she plans preschool lessons that are simple, fun, and flexible

* What “unlearning” looks like for a teacher-turned-homeschool-mom

* How she organizes her homeschool in a small space using baskets and systems

* Her advice for balancing homeschool and motherhood during the baby years

✨ Listen in and be encouraged that real learning—and real joy—happen in the messy middle.

About Kelsey:

Hi, I’m Kelsey! I’m a former early childhood teacher turned homeschool mom, currently living in Florida with my husband and two young boys (3 years and 5 months). As a military spouse, home can change — but homeschooling gives us the freedom and consistency I always wanted for my family. After teaching preschool through 3rd grade, I saw both the joys and the struggles within the public school system. Now, I’m passionate about creating playful, meaningful learning experiences at home during these early years.

⏱ Chapters

00:00 – Meet Kelsey: teacher turned homeschool mom of two

02:00 – Why she left the school system and chose homeschooling

06:00 – What a typical homeschool day looks like with a 3-year-old

09:00 – The “moon lesson” and how she builds themed activities

12:00 – How she plans her week and uses Pinterest + TPT for inspiration

15:00 – Unlearning the teacher mindset and giving herself grace

20:00 – Organizing homeschool in a small space

26:00 – Building community through church and library storytime

32:00 – Kelsey’s favorite resource: Teachers Pay Teachers

35:00 – Bringing faith into daily lessons and conversations

39:00 – Play, learning styles, and keeping it simple

45:00 – Learning from “failures” and letting go of pressure

52:00 – Balancing homeschooling with a baby at home

58:00 – Encouragement for new moms + finding time for yourself

🔗 Resources & Links

* Connect with Kelsey on Instagram and Pinterest

* Check out Kelsey’s TPT store: Kitchen Table Learners Shop

* Devotional mentioned: How Great is Our God by Louie Giglio

* Homeschool coach mentioned: Christina Carpenter on TikTok and Instagram

* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool

* Subscribe on Apple | Spotify | Substack

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com