Your first year of homeschooling isn’t about perfection — it’s about pivoting with purpose.

In this episode, I talk with Tiffany Smith (@rooted.inlearning), a Florida homeschooling mom of two who made the transition from corporate life to full-time motherhood and homeschooling. Tiffany shares what her first year really looked like — the lessons, the pivots, the planning tweaks, and the wins that gave her confidence going into year two.

You’ll hear:

* Why kindergarten didn’t work for her daughter and how she trusted her intuition

* What the “learning year” looked like in real life

* How she handled curriculum gaps and changes with confidence

* The systems she uses for planning, organization, and self-care

* How she balances part-time work while homeschooling two little ones

* The joy she’s found in a slower pace, intentional learning, and strong community

✨ A grounding, encouraging listen for homeschool moms at any stage — especially those navigating their first year.

About Tiffany:

Hi, I’m Tiffany! I’m a 32-year-old wife and homeschooling girl mom living our best Florida life — from beach days to biking, hiking, exploring the springs, and a little Disney. Our homeschool is Christ-centered, with a strong emphasis on quality education. We take an eclectic, year-round approach, blending hands-on activities, unit studies, and plenty of real-world learning. Every day is an opportunity to grow, discover, and enjoy the journey together!

⏱ Chapters

00:00 – Meet Tiffany: Florida mom of two, adventurer, and new homeschooler

02:00 – Why she knew kindergarten wasn’t the right fit

06:00 – Trusting her gut and bringing her daughter home

10:00 – Leaving corporate work: fears, peace, and new beginnings

14:00 – The “learning year” and what it taught her

18:00 – The myth of socialization & finding real community

24:00 – Curriculum pivots: what worked and what didn’t

32:00 – Planning rhythm: weekly structure, pacing, and balance

39:00 – Homeschool + part-time work: what this looks like

47:00 – Self-care, faith, and protecting your peace

54:00 – Favorite resources + curriculum she loves

1:06:00 – Encouragement for new homeschool moms: pivot with purpose

1:13:00 – Where to connect with Tiffany

🔗 Resources & Links

Tiffany’s Favorites & Mentions:

* The Good and the Beautiful (Language Arts & History)

* Abeka (Math)

* All About Reading

* Horizon (Spelling)

* BJU Press (Science)

* LIFEPAC (Bible Curriculum)

* CrunchLabs (STEM subscription)

* The Well Ordered Homeschool Planner

🔗 Social Media

* Connect with Tiffany on Tiktok and Instagram

* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool

* Listen & subscribe: 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