A Homeschool Mom Podcast to Build Confidence & Clarity Navigate the real challenges of homeschooling with mindset strategies, perspective shifts, and practical support tailored for homeschool moms. In this podcast, we tackle the emotional and mental load of homeschooling—perfectionism, doubt, overwhelm, and all the human feels—so you can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently. Join Teresa Wiedrick, a seasoned homeschool mom and life coach, as she helps you shed what’s not working, set boundaries, manage stress, and cultivate a homeschool life that aligns with your values.Because when you get clear on your homeschool, you get clearer on who you are. And you can show up in your homeschool (& life) authentically, purposefully, and confidently.🔔 Subscribe now for new episodes!
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How to Stop Taking Your Child’s Behaviour Personally
Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • Duration 19:52
If you’re struggling as you learn how to stop taking your child’s behaviour personally, girlfriend, I get you! That feeling — that your child is doing something to you — is an easy one to fall into. Not just being difficult, but somehow, specifically, deliberately difficult, aimed at you. You’ve had the thought before, even if you didn’t say it out loud: why does he do this to me?
First of all, I want to admit, I have most definitely been there. But I want to offer you a different question to reframe that. Not because your frustration isn’t valid — it is — but because that first question keeps you stuck. It keeps you reacting instead of understanding. And once you swap it out, something in the whole relationship starts to shift.
In a recent coaching conversation, one of the moms I work with was working through exactly this. Her son has a hard time sitting still, gets bored fast, and constantly needs something new to stay engaged — and she’d been reading that as defiance. As him pushing back against her, specifically, was on purpose.
But that constant need for stimulation, that low tolerance for boredom, that instinct to keep moving toward the next interesting thing? That could also be reframed as a personality thing. That’s a recognizable Enneagram Type 7 pattern — a child whose core wiring orients toward possibility and away from anything that feels confining. He’s not doing it to her. He’s doing it because that’s how he’s built to move through the world.
That distinction changes everything about how you respond. A defiant child needs a consequence. A Type 7 child who’s drowning in boredom needs variety, movement, and a shorter runway between tasks. Same behavior. Completely different parenting response — and you can only get to the right one once you stop making it about you.
A Quick Note on ADHD
A quick caveat: trouble sitting still, low tolerance for boredom, always chasing the next stimulating thing — that can also be part of an ADHD profile, not just an Enneagram 7 pattern. The two aren’t mutually exclusive, and this isn’t a substitute for an evaluation, and it’s a separate conversation from learning how to stop taking your child’s behaviour personally — both can be true at once. The Enneagram points to motivation; ADHD is something more neurological. A child can be both — and understanding one doesn’t rule out the other. If this is showing up across settings, not just during school time, it may be worth a conversation with your pediatrician, who can guide you toward an evaluation if needed. And if ADHD is already part of your homeschool reality, you might also like How to Homeschool When Everyone Has ADHD (And You’re Exhausted).
One had spent years frustrated that her husband seemed to avoid conflict at almost any cost — going quiet in arguments, smoothing things over instead of hashing them out, seeming to just… ignoring the conflict instead of addressing it. And she read that as him not caring enough to address the unmet needs under the conflicts. Once she understood he was a Type 9, whose deepest instinct is toward peace and away from friction, she wasn’t excusing the pattern — but she stopped taking it personally. It wasn’t about her. It was his wiring, doing what it’s always done.
Enneagram coaches often see 9s and 8s pair up in marriage — and 8s aren’t afraid of conflict at all. So imagine how he was receiving her in those moments: not as someone smoothing things over peacefully, but as someone withholding, someone who wouldn’t engage. (If you want to see this dynamic from the other side, I loved this Enneagram 8 mom’s story of growth — it’s a great window into how an 8 experiences conflict, connection, and homeschooling.)
Kids, partners — the pattern is the same. The behaviour that used to feel like a verdict on you turns out to be almost entirely unrelated to you. It’s wiring. And wiring isn’t personal.
If you’re someone who tends to see things in black and white — this behaviour is good, another behaviour is bad — this shift can feel disorienting at first. It’s not that boundaries stop mattering or that behaviour stops having consequences. That is certainly not my goal here. However, it IS that you stop assigning motive where there isn’t one.
Your child avoiding boredom isn’t defiance — in fact, there’s a bounty to boredom when it’s handled well (I go deeper on that in how to deal with your kids’ homeschool boredom). Your partner avoiding conflict isn’t apathy. Once you can separate the behaviour from an imagined motive aimed at you, you’re free to respond to what’s actually happening instead of reacting to a story you’ve built around it.
And if it’s you who’s the bored one some days — bored of the routine, bored of the sameness, bored in a way that feels a little taboo to admit as a homeschool mom — that’s real too, and worth naming (here’s a whole post on being the bored homeschool mom).
You start responding instead of reacting. You start getting curious instead of assuming offense or hurt. Instead of why does he do this to me, you start asking:
What does this behaviour tell me about how he’s wired?
What does he actually need right now?
Is this about me at all, or is this simply him?
That question — is this about me, or is this just them— is one of the most useful tools I know for a homeschool mom learning how to stop taking her child’s behaviour personally. It doesn’t make the hard moments disappear. Your Type 7 son will still get bored mid-lesson. Your Type 9 husband will still go quiet when things get tense. But you’ll stop absorbing those moments as a referendum on you, and that alone changes how much of the day you carry home with you emotionally.
Where to Begin
You don’t need to become an Enneagram expert overnight to make this discussion valuable. Start small: the next time your child’s behaviour sends you into a spiral of why does he do this, pause and ask instead,is this wiring, or is this really about me?If you do that, you’ll find it’s the former — and that single shift in framing can be enough to bring you back to curiosity instead of hurt.
If this resonated, I’d love to help you think through it. Book a free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session and let’s find out what’s really driving the dynamics in your home — and how to stop carrying what was never yours to carry.
The Homeschool Mama Book Club 2026 is the one thing I wish someone had offered me in my early homeschool years.
1. Join the Book Club Newsletter — free, every Wednesday
Every Wednesday morning, a warm, thoughtful email lands in your inbox drawn from the books we’re exploring together. Reflections, journaling prompts, and practical takeaways — even if you haven’t read the book.
2. Join us live in the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective
Every Friday at 10am Pacific, a group of homeschool mamas gathers to talk about the things that actually matter — roundtable conversations, book club discussions, Writer’s Room sessions, actionable strategy sessions, and real talk about what it actually feels like to do this every day.
Come Talk Through How to Stop Taking Your Child’s Behaviour Personally With Us
This is exactly the kind of conversation we have, every single week, in the Homeschool Mama Book Club.
A place where you say the thing out loud — why does he do this to me — and a room full of women nod because they’ve thought it too. We read together, we talk it through in book club discussions, we bring our real questions to Writer’s Room sessions and strategy conversations, and in the middle of all that, you get tools to really support your homeschool mom life.
The women who show up every Friday will tell you it feels like a reset — a space where they’re actually seen, understood, and encouraged, without competition or judgment. If you’ve been carrying how to stop taking your child’s behaviour personally all on your own, this is where you bring it instead.
You’re Invited to the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 • Duration 25:31
Welcome to the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026 — a year of reading chosen entirely for you.
Can I ask you a question? Who is nurturing you?
It’s a question most homeschool moms never get asked. We pour everything into our children — our time, our creativity, our patience, our presence — and somewhere in all that nurturing, we forget that we are humans with needs too.
Who Is Nurturing You?
I’ve been there. I spent years showing up for everyone else and calling what was left of me enough. Occasional Wednesday nights at Starbucks with a latte and a journal were the thing that kept me going. I thought that was enough.
It wasn’t. It’s cliche, but it’s true: I was surviving, not thriving.
I craved time to read and write and learn for myself — not just enabling it for the kids. And when I began reading for me, I realized I could answer some of the challenges I was noticing in my homeschool family.
After nearly two decades homeschooling and six years coaching women who home educate, I’ve learned that books, and their authors, can be incredible resources for us as home educators.
I’ve also learned, from my own life, and the lives of other homeschool moms, we consistently DON’T put ourselves on our to-do lists. We leave our needs, our interests, our rabbit trails last on our lists. Our social lives can be abysmal (funny that onlookers are concerned that our kids aren’t socialized, when mom is driving them hither and yon, waiting in the parking lot while they meet new friends and do cool things).
That’s why the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026 exists. And that’s why I want to invite you into the 2026 lineup — twelve books, one per month, chosen entirely for the woman doing this work every single day.
A Gift for the Mama Who Keeps Coming Last
If you’ve been putting yourself last in your homeschool, I made something for you. It’s called the Permission Slip — 14 daily anchor practices for the homeschool mama who keeps coming last. It’s free and it’s yours. Grab it here:
You Are the Most Important Curriculum in Your Homeschool
How the Homeschool Mama Book Club 2026 Works
https://youtu.be/WX9ALm-uODU?si=j3xVN-WWRQWkyJWm
The 2026–2027 Homeschool Mama Book Club Lineup
☀️ Summer — Your Inner Life
🍂 Fall — The Philosophy of Learning
❄️ Winter — How Children & Adults Grow
🌸 Spring — The Creative & Writing Self
🎉 June 2027 — Celebration
What Moms Are Saying About the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026
Three Ways to Join the Homeschool Mama Book Club 2026
You Have Been Last Long Enough
Want to Go Deeper?
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The Real Cost Of Being The “Good Girl” Who Became The Good Mom
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 • Duration 42:11
If you’ve spent your life being the good girl — the one who kept the peace, said yes when you meant no, and made sure everyone around you was okay — this episode is for you. Cycle-breaking for homeschool moms is less about a dramatic declaration and more about the quiet, courageous work of dissolving the patterns that were never yours to carry in the first place. And today’s conversation goes right to the heart of that.
We go deep on how approval-seeking and over-responsibility quietly shape the entire atmosphere of your homeschool home — and why so many moms don’t see it until they’re completely depleted.
In this conversation, I sit down with Diane Sorensen, Boundaries and Empowerment Coach and host of the Chaos to Connection podcast, to talk about what it really costs to be the “good girl” who became the “good mom” — and what it looks like to finally find your way back to yourself.
Cycle-Breaking for Homeschool Moms: Why We Dissolve Patterns, Not Break Them
Cycle-breaking for homeschool moms doesn’t happen overnight — and it doesn’t happen by sheer willpower. It happens one honest moment, one new skill, one held boundary at a time.
The wake-up call that changed Diane’s life and work
The difference between breaking cycles and dissolving patterns
Why transformation is a slow accumulation of new skills, not a dramatic declaration
Boundaries as a self-trust practice — not a rule you enforce on others
Why the most compassionate women are also the most boundaried
Emotions as the missing link — and what it means to finally come home to yourself
“You are the common denominator” — and why that’s liberating, not shaming
Prefer to watch? This conversation is also on YouTube — sometimes seeing the faces behind the words makes all the difference.
https://youtu.be/2BpX39Bz9ro?si=QgdG8D_iHKP9VrT0
Connect with Diane Sorensen
Want to go deeper on people-pleasing as a homeschool mom? Start here.
This work doesn’t have to happen alone.
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What Is an Education Anyway? Your Answer Changes Your Homeschool
Monday, June 8, 2026 • Duration 26:25
What Is an Education Anyway — And Who Gets to Decide?
Forget every notion you have been told about what an education is.
I want to ask you something I ask every single woman I work with in coaching.
What do you believe an education is?
And the second question — the one that tends to stop people cold:
What did you believe an education was before you started homeschooling?
Most of us never actually chose our definition of education. We absorbed it. From school, from our parents, from the culture around us. And then we built an entire homeschool on top of it. And then we wondered why it felt so heavy.
And if you’re just starting out and wondering where to begin — I made something for exactly that. The 7-Day Confident Homeschool Roadmap is a free guide that walks you through your first year with clarity rather than overwhelm. Grab it below.
If you grew up in a conventional school system, your working definition probably sounds something like this:
Education is the successful delivery of academic content across subjects. Demonstrated through coverage, completion, and measurable progress.
Coverage. Completion. No gaps. Not falling behind. Making sure it’s enough.
Sound familiar?
https://youtu.be/1T8pINVSeXc
Do You Need a Teaching Degree to Define Your Child’s Education?
So Where Do You Find What You Need?
Self-Education: The Heart of What an Education Really Is
What Is an Education Anyway? Here’s What Charlotte Mason Said.
What Does Real Home Education Actually Look Like?
https://youtu.be/lkFJglpaoqs
What is an education anyway?
What Is an Education Anyway? Questions to Sit With This Week
Want to Go Deeper?
People also ask…
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5 Reasons Your Homeschool Child Won’t Do Work & How to Motivate Your Child
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 • Duration 30:16
When your homeschool child won’t do work, it’s rarely just about laziness—it often signals a deeper need for curiosity, connection, and meaningful engagement.
If you’re a homeschool mom, you’ve probably said or thought something like:
“My kids don’t really care about their lessons. They just want to get through it so they can get on their screens.” “I think my daughter only enjoys going to coop because of her friends, not any actual learning.” “He races through his work without engaging—he’s just checking boxes.” “There’s outright resistance now. I don’t know if it’s the work or if it’s me or if he’s just rebellious.”
These situations are very common, not unusual. And the question behind them is universal: how do you help your child become an independent learner who is genuinely curious and engaged—not someone who treats learning like a chore to avoid?
If this resonates with you, a great first step is my free Deschool Your Homeschool Checklist, which helps you step back from school-y thinking, reconnect with how your child naturally learns, and create space for curiosity, calm, and connection.
Many children resist because they’ve learned to associate “learning” with compliance or tedium. They may rush through assignments just to get them done or outright refuse work that doesn’t interest them.
Reason 2: When Your Homeschool Child Won’t Do Work—Check Your Own Motivation First
Reason 3: Your Homeschool Child Won’t Do Work Without Buy-In
Reason 4: Development May Be Why Your Homeschool Child Won’t Do Work
Reason 5: Repairing Past Learning Experiences
What You Can Do Right Now
https://youtu.be/wQJvUT9l6Iw?si=84wAK0MMhobxDovn
Mindset for the Middle-to-High School Transition
$12.99 Original price was: $12.99.$10.99Current price is: $10.99.
When Your Homeschool Child Won’t Do Work: Turning Resistance Into Curiosity
Further Resources You Might Enjoy
If You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
Book your Aligned Homeschool Reset Session
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Crush 1st-Year Homeschool Frustrations and Plan a Smooth Year 2
Saturday, May 30, 2026 • Duration 18:59
If your 1st-year homeschool frustrations have left you feeling overwhelmed, but you still want to try to make homeschooling work for your family, this is for you.
“I am a mom of 3, ages 13, 11, and 6. My older two are in public school but I homeschooled my youngest this past year because I didn’t think he was ready for public school kindergarten. We will be moving at which point, I will likely be homeschooling all three kids…
This past year was a disaster.
These are my 1st year homeschool frustrations: I definitely homeschooled out of fear and anxiety. Though I had a support teacher with an online homeschool, she was not the right fit and did not provide me the support I needed.
And I was trying my best to unschool, but felt lost without much of an experience with doing so.
I felt overwhelmed with other commitments, such as part-time work, volunteering, and homeschooling. Definitely had too much on my plate and lacked time to research what I could be doing with my son.
We tried things that the teacher recommended, but they failed.
I struggled even to help my son remember letters of the alphabet or numbers to 10. Then I realized there probably wasn’t enough repetition in applying them in different activities, but it was honestly challenging when I could not homeschool full-time.
I did not know how to set things up so he could do some learning on his own. Also, I did not know what to do when he just couldn’t remember things.
I’m done with these 1st year homeschool frustrations and need someone to guide me to plan homeschooling, which is why I’m here!
https://youtu.be/TMgP2KMy-Zs?si=4lbEC5H5iLLeOYKn
Invitation for 1st Year Homeschoolers…
1st-Year Homeschool Frustrations
More on the curriculum discussion here:
Consider using a Time Audit to clarify what matters most:
Consider incorporating child-inspired learning:
Read more about building community:
I totally get what you’re going through.
Steps to Solve Gia’s Problem:
https://youtu.be/cmyrvbQlU2Q?si=dIcN6SvIKF6o1SgF
Here’s how we can work together to overcome your 1st-year homeschool frustrations:
You’ll feel supported, so challenges are easier to handle.
A Meaningful Step-By-Step Guide To Plan Your Homeschool Year
$12.99 Original price was: $12.99.$10.99Current price is: $10.99.
People also ask:
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Encouragement for Homeschool Moms in the 1st Year
Saturday, May 30, 2026 • Duration 21:09
How have your first months of your homeschool life been? I want to hear all the deets.
If you and I were hanging out in our Zoom room, I’d ask you, what’s working for you, what’s not, what’s working for your kids, what’s not, and have you had any unexpected challenges along the way? I want to hear all about it.
Then I would help you unpack your feelings, your thoughts, and your experiences, and I’d want to give you a little encouragement, just like I offer encouragement for homeschool moms every day.
Five questions to help assess your 1st homeschool year:
Question #1:
Reflecting on these past few months, how did you overcome challenges that made you doubt your abilities as a homeschooling parent?
Question #2:
Describe a moment when you adapted your teaching approach to better suit your child’s needs or interests. How did this flexibility impact your homeschooling experience?
Question #3:
In what ways did connecting with other homeschooling parents or communities help you navigate uncertainties or difficult moments throughout the year?
Question #4:
Share an instance where you and your child delved into a new subject or learning experience together. How did this mutual exploration enhance your bond and understanding of each other?
Question #5:
Reflecting on your routines and schedules, how did you prioritize breaks and self-care for yourself and your child?
https://youtu.be/TMgP2KMy-Zs?si=4lbEC5H5iLLeOYKn
I’ve got encouragement for homeschool moms in their 1st year:
You did it! You managed to make it through the first four or five months of your homeschool year! Woot woot, I celebrate with you!
Let’s chat about your routine:
One of the advantages of homeschooling is the flexibility it offers.
Homeschooling is an opportunity for both you and your child to learn and grow.
Not coincidentally: these two things will make your homeschool life so much easier: let your kids follow their curiosities and interests too.
The curriculum you have or the resources you own right now are good enough.
https://youtu.be/zSfJRd6QkDs?si=WKLPwVBQZ9aLYUQe
What’s your plan for when someone asks you about the S question?
Are you thinking you haven’t quite cracked this homeschool nut because every day isn’t working as you’d like?
Recognize that your kiddo’s learning preferences might be conflicting with yours.
Celebrate your child’s milestones and successes,
Don’t forget to take breaks for both you and your child.
Assess your expectations.
Seek Professional Guidance or Outside Help
Trust the Process: Homeschooling is a journey that evolves.
So I raise my glass to you first-year homeschool mama! You completed your first few months of homeschooling!
https://youtu.be/MrnIayGuYJo?si=VRvDyxYWIqp7h81c
If you’re a new homeschooler, I have a podcast season (& other resources) dedicated to you.
The New Homeschooler’s Quick Guide: 9 Mistakes to Avoid for a Stress-Free First Year
$9.99 Original price was: $9.99.$7.99Current price is: $7.99.
If You Want More Encouragement for Homeschool Moms:
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Transitioning into Homeschool High School: What We’re Really Talking About
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 • Duration 20:25
Let’s be honest about something. Transitioning into homeschool high school is one of those seasons that hits differently — no matter how many years you’ve been at this. There’s excitement, yes — but there’s also a swirl of fear, uncertainty, and something that can only be described as guilt. Like you should already know what you’re doing, except you don’t.
I want to talk about that guilt. Because it’s running the show for a lot of us — and most of us don’t even realize it.
A mama in our Confident Homeschool Mom Collective recently said something that I’ve heard others say in various versions:
“Viv is starting 7th grade and I feel like we’re already behind. Not really — I don’t. But man, some friends’ kids are beginning 9th grade and they’ll be done with all their math and English requirements by the end of sophomore year. I don’t know that Vivi will have that kind of journey, and I think I’m feeling guilt about that. Like it’s almost expected that homeschool kids should be ahead of the curve.”
Does that sound familiar?
That pressure — to be ahead, to have it mapped out, to produce a teen who is somehow both fully prepared and still a kid — is one of the defining emotional experiences of homeschool high school. And it’s almost entirely rooted in a story that has nothing to do with who your child actually is.
She also said this: “I want next year to be fun. And I also want her to be prepared… for what? For whatever she decides she wants to do.”
That tension — between fun and prepared, between freedom and readiness — is the real conversation we need to be having.
What Preparation Looks Like When Transitioning into Homeschool High School
My own kids didn’t follow a conventional high school path. They weren’t racing through credits or front-loading requirements to impress admissions offices. But they were ahead in every way that mattered — in self-knowledge, in resilience, in the ability to figure things out.
The Individuation Nobody Warns You About
Related Reading:
If You’re Transitioning into Homeschool High School and Feeling Unsure
The Question Every Mom Asks When Transitioning into Homeschool High School
A Resource for This Season
Mindset Shifts for Homeschool Moms: Thriving Through the High School Years
$12.99 Original price was: $12.99.$10.99Current price is: $10.99.
Final food for thought: you can’t teach the same way to each child.
Here are a few ideas…
Ready for a more personalized conversation?
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Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning BC: What Really Matters
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 • Duration 26:05
What This Decision Is Really About
If you’ve decided to homeschool in British Columbia, you’ve already made the hard decision. But there’s a second decision waiting right behind it — and it stops a lot of families cold. Registered homeschooling vs online learning in BC — which is right for your family?
After two decades of homeschooling in BC and six years of coaching families through this exact moment, here’s what I know: this decision isn’t actually about finding the right school or the right system. It’s about who you are as a family. It’s about the values you’re being called toward in this season of your life, the child standing right in front of you, and how much ownership you’re ready to take over the education you’ve already decided to give them.
The government language matters — and I’ll give it to you plainly. The practical differences between the two paths matter — and I’ll walk you through them clearly. But neither one will tell you what you actually need to know. Only you can determine that. And the good news is, you already know more than you think you do.
In British Columbia, the government draws a firm line between these two options — and it matters that you understand it.
If you enroll in online learning, you are not considered a homeschooler by the BC government. You are an online learner. Your child’s education is authorized by the Ministry of Education, delivered through an online school, and overseen by an assigned teacher or learning consultant. You follow BC curriculum as defined by the online school, work toward learning outcomes, and may have report cards, check-ins, and grade-level expectations depending on which school you choose.
What Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning in BC Actually Looks Like Day to Day
My Registered Homeschooling Story in BC — The White Couch Moment
What I was really looking for was freedom from other people’s goals and expectations for my family.
That clarity served us. But it didn’t protect us from the learning curve.
That’s what I want you to hear: the path you choose today is not your forever answer.
The Path You Choose Today Is Not Your Forever Answer
Choosing Between Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning in BC — Who Are You as a Family?
Are you moving toward something, or away from something?
How comfortable are you being the primary architect of your child’s education?
Does your child need a transcript, credits, or a Dogwood?
What is the emotional atmosphere in your home?
Do you genuinely enjoy spending time with your kids?
The One Thing I Know for Certain About Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning in BC
Ready to Stop Researching and Start Deciding?
Why This Conversation Is Different from Any Facebook Thread
A graduated homeschool parent can tell you what worked for their family. I can help you figure out what will work for yours.
Frequently Asked Questions: Registered Homeschooling vs Online Learning in BC
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Homeschool Year End Review: Celebrating your Success & Growth
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 • Duration 21:06
Every year I finish the homeschool year kinda lackluster. And you know what? I’m good with that. I recognize it for what it is: a season. That’s exactly why I do a Homeschool Year End Review — and why I think every homeschool mom should too.
Because, seriously, what are the chances I’m gonna love every dang minute of this homeschool thing?
And when else would I feel homeschool fatigue? At the end of the homeschool year! (Oh, and February, cause ya know: slump month…Oh, and usually about year two or three of our homeschool journey when I need to have a giant shift from “how I thought homeschool would be” to “how homeschool actually is”…Anywho, I digress…)
In this post, you’ll discover my approach to the Homeschool Year-End Review — and how it sets you up to actually enjoy your summer instead of dreading September.
If we do a homeschool year end review now, I don’t have to return to it in July. I can sit by my watering hole of choice and not think about homeschool planning.
By the end of May, I usually close the homeschool room door and don’t return till early July.
I let stuff sit. The books get closed. The planner gets closed. And we just shift into a season of being outdoors.
And you know what? We all need it after that point. A chance to recollect our ideas about last year, check what worked, check what didn’t, and springboard into the new year with ideas that did work and new ideas I want to include.
If you’re there and want to springboard — join me at the Homeschool Year End Review.
Join the Homeschool Year End Review
Real Planning for Real Homeschool Moms: Why the Year-End Review Works
Three Things Your Homeschool Year-End Review Should Cover
1. Is your homeschool plan still working for this season?
2. Where is your time really going — and does it match what matters?
3. How does homeschool mom life actually feel — and can it feel better?
What We’ll Explore in the Homeschool Year-End Review Together
What to Expect at the Homeschool Mom Year-End Review
What You’ll Leave With After the Homeschool Year End Review
Kind Words
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Before we get to the books, I want to say something I come back to again and again in my coaching work with homeschool moms:
You are the most important curriculum in your homeschool.
Not the books you choose for your kids. Not the actual curriculum you pull out each morning. And not the co-op or the field trips or the Charlotte Mason inspired nature study either.
You.
The way you show up. The way you regulate. Even the curiosity you model. The grace you extend — to your kids and to yourself. That is what your children are absorbing every single day.
So investing in yourself isn’t something you do when you finally have time. It’s the most important work you can do for your homeschool. And a good book — and a community of women to think about it with — is one of the most accessible ways to begin.
One book a month. Twelve months. Four quarterly themes that build on each other — so the reading isn’t just a list but a year-long conversation with yourself.
When you’re listening to yourself, able to hear two thoughts in a row (because you know that is hard to do with kids afoot), and willing to unpack the challenges in your homeschool mom life, you’ll move toward enjoying the charms of your homeschool family life.
And here’s the part I want you to hear clearly: you don’t have to read the book to show up.
I know, crazy, right? A book club where you don’t HAVE to read. Of course, you’ll be more deeply benefited if you do. But I know I wouldn’t have been able to read a book a month in my busiest homeschool years and I’m certainly not expecting it of anyone else.
Come for the conversation, come for the community, and come because for one Friday morning a month someone is asking what you think and what you need.
Every month in the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective we gather for four Friday sessions built around each book:
Roundtable Chat — the big question the book is really asking
Book Club Discussion — diving into the ideas together
Writer’s Room — putting pen to paper on what surfaced for you
Actionable Strategies — taking what you learned and building it into your real homeschool life
June, July, August
We start by turning inward. Before we can talk about education philosophy or creative practice we need to know ourselves a little better first.
June — Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown Do you actually know what you’re feeling — or are you just reacting to it? Brown maps 87 emotions and gives you the vocabulary to finally understand what’s happening inside you — and why it matters for every relationship in your home.
July — The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile Why do you parent and teach the way you do? This warm, witty introduction to the Enneagram helps you understand your core motivations, your stress responses, and the invisible rules you’ve been living by without even knowing it.
And when you join the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective (where the Homeschool Mama Book Club lives, you’ll have access to a workshop on how the Enneagram works in your homeschool family.)
August — The Life That’s Waiting by Brianna Wiest What would your life look like if you stopped forcing it and started living it? Wiest’s newest collection of essays is for the mom who has been pushing herself toward a life that doesn’t quite fit — and is finally ready to choose differently.
Why do we homeschool? What do we actually believe about how children learn? Fall is when we go back to the roots.
September — Free to Learn by Peter Gray Do you actually trust your child to learn — or are you still operating from a school mindset you never examined? Gray makes the research-backed case that children are biologically wired to learn through self-directed play. Even if you’re not unschooling this book will crack something open in you.
October — How Children Learn by John Holt The foundational text of natural learning that reminds you why you chose this life — and gives you permission to trust your child’s curiosity more than any curriculum. We’ll be joined by Pat Farenga, the man who kept Holt’s legacy alive, for a virtual visit.
November — Learning How to Learn by Barbara Oakley How does your brain actually learn — and are you teaching your kids in a way that works with their neurology or against it? Oakley draws on the world’s most popular online course to explain focused attention, diffuse thinking, and why rest is not the enemy of progress.
Winter is the practical quarter. We get into the how — and we use the quieter season to spice things up and capture a new vision for our homeschools.
December — Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levinson What would it look like to bring more beauty and intentionality into your everyday homeschool life? This is the clearest, most accessible introduction to Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of living books, narration, and nature study. Cozy and grounding for a December read.
January — Mindset by Carol Dweck New year, new mindset — literally. Are you modeling a growth mindset for your kids or are you secretly still stuck in a fixed one? Dweck’s framework is something every homeschool mama needs to sit with — especially in how we talk about failure and effort with ourselves and our children.
February — The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud & Ned Johnson What happens when you give your child more control over their own life — and why does that feel so scary? This neuroscience-backed book validates what many homeschool families already sense intuitively and gives you the research to trust it.
This is my favourite quarter of the Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026.
March, April, May
Spring closes the year in creativity and honest self-reflection. When a mama feels energized and fueled in her own life she is more energized and fueled for her kids.
March — Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg What if writing isn’t about being a writer — what if it’s about finally hearing yourself think? Goldberg treats writing as a spiritual practice not a performance and this book will change how you think about your own voice even if you’ve never considered yourself a writer.
April — The Book of Alchemy by Suleika Jaouad What would happen if you kept a journal — not to record your days but to understand them? Jaouad’s gorgeous memoir in essays and journaling prompts gathered from a hundred writers and artists is the perfect companion for building a practice that actually sticks.
May — Please Look into the Mirror by Michaela Angemeer What am I still carrying from my own mother — and what do I want to put down before I pass it to my kids? This Canadian poet’s collection of prose and poetry about the mother wound, inner child healing, and cycle breaking is a courageous and fitting close to a year of honest self-reflection.
The group votes. We revisit a favourite, celebrate the year, or dream up the next list together. That meeting is a party.
“Before joining the Collective I often felt alone in my homeschooling journey, constantly second-guessing my choices and comparing myself to others. But after becoming part of this group I’ve experienced unwavering support and genuine connection like never before. Now every Friday feels like a reset — a space where I’m truly seen, understood, and encouraged. There’s no competition, no judgment — just compassionate women who have my back.” — Michelle, Collective member
“It is the only thing I have successfully and consistently time-blocked. I love the real-time interaction with other mamas working on so many similar things in themselves, their home, and their families.” — Sarah, Collective member & homeschool mama of 4
“I have really appreciated the book club this year. And I’ve read some familiar authors and topics but there are also titles and topics I haven’t considered and I’ve really benefitted from these. I love that if we don’t read the books it’s totally okay. Sometimes it’s nice to scope out the book at the meetup and read it later if it sounds interesting.” — Whitney, homeschool mama of 4
The Homeschool Mom Book Club 2026 is the one thing I wish someone had offered me in my early homeschool years.
1. Start with the Permission Slip — free If you’ve been last on your own list for too long, this is where to begin. The Permission Slip is a free checklist of 14 daily anchor practices for the homeschool mama who keeps coming last. Not a to-do list. A daily reminder that you are allowed to matter in your own life.
2. Join the Book Club Newsletter — free, every Wednesday Every Wednesday morning a warm thoughtful email lands in your inbox drawn from the books we’re exploring together. Reflections, journaling prompts, and practical takeaways — even if you haven’t read the book. Even if you never plan to.
3. Join us live in the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective Every Friday at 10am Pacific a group of homeschool mamas gathers to talk about the things that actually matter. Roundtable conversations. Book club discussions. Writer’s Room sessions. Actionable strategy sessions. Real talk about what it actually feels like to do this every day.
Listen. You didn’t choose this life because it was easy. You chose it because something in you knew it mattered. And that something — that instinct, that conviction, that stubborn love — is still in you.
You’re still here and still showing up.
That deserves more than survival. It deserves a good book, a supportive community, and someone who asks how you’re really doing.
The Homeschool Mama Book Club 2026 is that place. Come find us. 🧡
The Aligned Homeschool Reset Session is a free 30-minute call where we look at what’s really underneath the overwhelm — and what it might look like to start trusting yourself again.
I help homeschool moms release pressure, edit expectations, and make small, intentional shifts that lead to a more confident and connected homeschool life.
That definition is exhausting. And it’s not even working in schools.
Teachers leave many pages of their curriculum undone at the end of every year. There are interruptions. Substitute teachers. Sick days. Stops and starts. There is no perfectly covered, hundred-percent-completed, no-gaps education happening in a classroom either.
And the very academic kids who were force-fed information and tested weekly? How much of that actually stuck? How much of it translated into a purposeful, meaningful life?
It is not possible to create a perfectly covered education. Not in a school. Not in your homeschool. The sooner you stop measuring yourself against that standard, the sooner you can build something that actually works.
If this is landing for you and you want to hear me unpack it further — I’m also diving into this on my YouTube channel. Same episode, same conversation. Watch it here →
And if you question whether you have the intelligence to answer that question — don’t be in self-doubt. Of course you do.
This is your child.
Does it seem daunting? It likely does. But it doesn’t have to.
I’ve stopped counting the number of times I’ve been asked if I’m a certified teacher.
Nope. I’m not.
Does being a certified teacher enable me to educate my children better at home?
Nope. It doesn’t.
In fact, statistically, being a certified teacher has no bearing on a child’s home education. Teachers have classroom management skills. They know standardized learning materials. They have years of experience that homeschooling parents might not have in the beginning — and I am not denying those skills for a moment.
But it doesn’t mean I’m not more motivated to learn how to engage my children’s education than someone else.
When I asked a kindergarten teacher about Grade 2 math, she didn’t know what to say. When I asked a high school English teacher how to approach a history discussion with an elementary-aged child, she was stumped too. Turns out, teachers don’t have the full breadth of knowledge either. And I’m certainly not claiming to either.
Why do we think we need to?
Google doesn’t have it all. Neither does YouTube. But both are pretty helpful. And when they aren’t, there are always books. Lots and lots and LOTS of books. You just need to know where to find the information. A little research and it’s findable.
When I was in junior high, we bought our first computer: a Tandy EX 1000. The only computer training we had was a Logo program that did next to nothing for me. I attempted to wield x’s and o’s. I’m pretty sure they meant something, but I didn’t understand.
Some thirty years later, anyone who wants to know how to use a computer knows. Anyone who wants to know how to Google, YouTube, Facebook, Tweet — they figured it out. Why?
Because they found out, by themselves. Tada.
The human mind is capable of figuring things out because it wants to.
Why do we assume kids need everything taught to them? We assume something needs to be done to them.
Before anyone sat them down and formally taught them anything, they had already learned animals, language, and how to navigate relationships. In their first year. Their second. Their fifth — long before they ever walked through a kindergarten door. Kids want to learn. It’s simply what they do.
And that is exactly what Charlotte Mason was pointing to.
“Self-education is the only possible education; the rest is mere veneer laid on the surface of a child’s nature.” — Charlotte Mason
I have returned to this quote more times than I can count. Because it points to something we already know intuitively. We keep forgetting it when we sit down at the kitchen table and default to the curriculum, the workbooks, the boxes of books, the online programs everyone else is using.
Your job is not to pour information into a vessel. Your job is to raise up the child right in front of you.
So what does that actually look like in a real homeschool? Here’s one mom’s answer.
A mom I worked with had been homeschooling for six years, three kids, and had done a lot of the external work — curriculum, systems, showing up every day. And then she went deeper and found her own answer to the question of what an education really is:
“Education is a process of exposure to knowledge while learning involves personal processing and growth. Character traits like discernment, self-confidence, and self-management are important outcomes that continue developing long beyond formal education years.”
She also said something that stopped me:
“Even if no one was watching or assessing my approach, I would maintain similar objectives and methods.”
She has found her own answer — not borrowed from the school system, not borrowed from a curriculum company. Entirely hers. And that is what I want for you. For me, the answer starts in the same place it always has — in wanting to engage my child, teach them when necessary, and capture their little hearts. I am most definitely motivated to do that. And so are you. That’s why you’re here.
Want to keep going? This conversation continues on my Rethinking Education YouTube channel. Find it here →
As you move through your week, gently ask yourself:
What definition of education am I actually operating from right now?
Did I choose it — or did I absorb it?
Where might I be able to trust what is already working in my child?
If no one was watching or assessing my homeschool, would I do anything differently?
You don’t need to answer all of it today. Just noticing is already meaningful work.
If this post resonated, the podcast episode What Is an Education Anyway? goes much further — including the five shifts I see happen when a homeschool mom finally loosens the grip of a definition that was never really hers, and what it looks like when peace replaces pressure in a real homeschool home. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
When you’re ready to take the next step, here are three ways I can help:
And if you’re ready for a real reset — book your free Aligned Homeschool Reset session. This is where we get clear on what’s actually going on in your homeschool and your life — and you walk away with a whole lot more peace than you arrived with.
Teresa Wiedrick is a certified life coach and graduated homeschool mom who supports homeschool moms in building a life — not just a lesson plan. Her work focuses inward, because most homeschool overwhelm has nothing to do with curriculum.
I help homeschool moms trust themselves, edit expectations, and make intentional choices that create a more confident, connected, and present homeschool life.
To be fair, we adults do that too. When someone says, “Hey, you know what would make tax season easier and more satisfying? Take a course on filing your taxes.”
Interesting, you think, and clever, that’s exactly what I should do! (No, you don’t think that. You think, naw, thanks, I’ll do what I have to do until next tax season.) Can I hear an amen? ps don’t respond if you actually enjoy doing taxes, ha–it won’t serve my point;)
And isn’t that what we all want? This homeschool lifestyle isn’t just equipping our kids to do live a purposeful life, it’s offering us that opportunity too! (And I encourage you to take it!)
Model learning and persistence in ways your child can observe. Show them you’re engaged by joining a book club, starting your own business, or simply signing up for a class at the local community college.
Many homeschool moms implement schedules or expectations without including their kids in the process. Without buy-in, structure becomes a battle.
Duckworth calls this “wise parenting”—demanding and supportive at the same time. High expectations and warmth foster engagement, grit, and independence.
What you can do:
Invite your children into creating the schedule and deciding how work is done.
Ask: What time of day works best? Which subjects energize you? Which feel draining?
Let them have voice and choice—engagement increases when they co-create their learning plan.
Some children struggle with attention, sensory processing, or social learning differences. Others are naturally extroverted or highly active, making sitting still for traditional lessons difficult.
What you can do:
Observe and adapt: maybe shorter, hands-on sessions work better, or learning outdoors is more effective.
A child who’s been burned out by school, shamed, or pressured to perform may resist homeschooling simply because it reminds them of those experiences. Resistance can sometimes look like rebellion—but it’s often about relationship and trust.
The relationships we have with our caregivers and our educators directly impact our capacity for learning. I have stories from my own childhood, and I’m confident you do too, that reveal this truth:
when we feel shamed, our brain doesn’t want to learn, it wants to hide.
when we feel pressured, our brain likes to turn off or panic.
when we are overwhelmed or tired, we just need rest.
“No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship.” — Dr. James P. Comer, Yale professor and child psychiatrist
Check in with yourself. Are you motivated, present, and energized? Kids pick up on your energy.
Talk with your kids. Not “here’s the schedule, follow it”—but “what’s working, what’s not, how can we do this together?”
Notice the context. Resistance often points to developmental, relational, or environmental factors worth exploring.
That shift from middle school into high school can feel like a mountain: ➡ Am I preparing them “enough”? ➡ Are we already behind? ➡ What if my child doesn’t follow the same accelerated path as others?
These are the real worries homeschool moms carry—and you don’t have to carry them alone.
That’s why I created Mindset for the Homeschool High School Transition—a practical, encouraging resource to help you:
✨ Release comparison and guilt. ✨ Find clarity around YOUR child’s unique journey. ✨ Build confidence in your ability to guide your teen through high school on their terms.
This isn’t about fitting into a mold—it’s about creating a personalized homeschool high school path that works for your family.
If this sounds familiar, know this: when your homeschool child won’t do work, it’s rarely a reflection of failure. Often, it’s a signal that they—and the family system—need more curiosity, engagement, and connection.
When you pause, observe, and involve your children in shaping their learning—and when you check in with your own motivation—you can turn resistance into curiosity, engagement, and collaboration. Whether it’s through small shifts in approach, creating structure with buy-in, or getting support in untangling relational or developmental challenges, there’s a path forward.
For more guidance and inspiration, check out these posts and tools:
Rebuilding motivation, creating a homeschool life that feels purposeful and enlivening, and addressing deeper layers isn’t always simple when you’re doing it alone.
If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and build a homeschool that works for your real life, book a free Aligned Homeschool Reset Session. We’ll create a personalized plan that meets your family where you are right now.
I help homeschool moms release pressure, edit expectations, and make small, intentional shifts that lead to a more confident and connected homeschool life.
I also realized that my own learning style preference is class learning. So this experience was just too overwhelming.
I had a curriculum for only math and language arts. They were helpful, but depending on the day, a lesson that was supposed to take 15-30 minutes would get drawn out quite a bit when my son lost focus or got tired and needed a break.
Ideally, I would have a simple, non-time-intensive curriculum that covered all the basics, leaving time to reinforce learning through daily living. I would also appreciate help to know how to teach the unschooling way.”
The Problem: First-year homeschool moms often feel overwhelmed and unsupported due to a lack of clear guidance, effective curriculum, and time management strategies. This leads to frustration, anxiety, and a sense of failure in their home education efforts.
They often share with me that they are challenged by these things…
1. They need clear, step-by-step guidance, especially when they prefer structured learning environments and aren’t familiar with how children learn and child development concepts.
2. Moms want a comprehensive, simple, and non-time-intensive curriculum that covers all the basic subjects and allows for reinforcement through daily living.
1st-year homeschool frustrations can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. That’s why I created the Confident Homeschool 101 group coaching program.
The Goal: To address these challenges by providing first-year homeschool moms with personalized planning, a comprehensive and easy-to-implement curriculum, effective time management strategies, guidance on unschooling, and a supportive community to help them thrive in their homeschool journey.
Build Confidence: Get clear, step-by-step guidance tailored to your family’s needs.
Gain Clarity: Create a clear, step-by-step action plan, so she can feel clear and certain about what to do next.
Create an Action Plan: “Balance” homeschooling with other commitments and set up independent learning activities.
Handle Tough Moments: Manage challenging times with your kids.
Confidently Answer FAQs: Feel secure in your homeschooling decisions.
Prevent Burnout: Set a strong foundation to keep you and your kids motivated.
Create a Supportive Routine: Develop a routine that supports individualized learning.
Curriculum Clarity: Understand how and when to use curriculum.
Create a Supportive Community: Not feel isolated without the right kind of support from a community or a knowledgeable mentor.
Initial Consultation:
We’ll start with a no-obligation conversation to clarify your homeschool and life goals and identify your challenges and expectations.
Goal Setting & Planning:
We’ll dive into your specific goals and priorities.
Together, we’ll create an individualized A.C.T.I.O.N. plan tailored to your needs.
Perspective Shifts & Strategy Implementation:
We’ll have 8-week online group coaching sessions, an opportunity to deep dive into your homeschool & life challenges to address and explore new strategies.
You’ll track progress with gentle accountability and support.
Cheerleading, Clarifying & Challenging:
You’ll get ongoing support through weekly email interactions to address specific scenarios and questions.
Let’s chat about how we can make your homeschooling journey a more positive and fulfilling adventure.
If you don’t address your homeschool challenges, you risk increased overwhelm, burnout, missed learning opportunities for your children, and a decline in your confidence, making the journey even more difficult.
Imagine homeschooling with confidence and ease.
You’re guiding your kids through fun and engaging learning opportunities & activities that spark their curiosity. Your routine flows smoothly, balancing learning with family time.
As your children thrive, you celebrate their little successes together, creating joyful moments that strengthen your bond.
With this family climate, your days feel like open books for beautiful memories to be written, and you know you’re building a great foundation for your family’s future.
Are you feeling overwhelmed and done with 1st-year homeschool frustrations — trying to make homeschooling work for your family? It’s time to change that.
Teresa, your Homeschool Life Coach
ps I’ve made room on my schedule to talk to homeschool moms considering the Confident Homeschool 101 group coaching program. To schedule a time, click on this link.
“Let’s face it. Homeschooling is hard. And amazing. There is elation and devastation – all in an average day. Teresa comes alongside to help you navigate your relationship with your homeschooling. Not to fix you, but to sufficiently assist you in detaching your identity from the activity so that the activity is elevated to new heights. Why homeschool coaching? Teresa helps you poke through your assumptions and inner narrative to help you parent and educate gently – not only for your children but for yourself. She matches your pace to co-create sustaining practices for life and the long haul.”
Diane, Graduated homeschool mom of 3
Planning your homeschool year doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or like you’re missing something important. You want to be intentional, not rigid; but also confident, not second-guessing.
The Confident Homeschool Reset Session is a free 30-minute call where we look at what’s actually going on in your homeschool — not just the surface stuff, but the real things underneath that keep you second-guessing yourself.
I help homeschool moms release pressure, edit expectations, and make small, intentional shifts that lead to a more confident and connected homeschool life.
Do you have one that’s working for you? (There isn’t one right way to homeschool and you won’t find one right routine either.)
But you start somewhere, so you create a simple routine that includes the most important things.
(If you’re keenly aware that your routine ISN’T working for you, consider joining the Patreon Homeschool Mama Support Group and we’ll craft and clarify your routine for the upcoming year.)
But many homeschool parents don’t embrace this freedom as much as we could: you can tailor your curriculum to your child’s needs and interests. (If you’re struggling to do it, then you’re right on track. Because it’s atypical to have it all figured that first year, or any year, just saying…)
Assume you’re getting a second chance at your education and then explore new subjects together. NOTE: When you follow your curiosities and your interests, you’ll learn so much!
They’ll learn so much too.
(In last week’s Support Group workshop we were talking about learning styles, and how that’s a myth. Ya know, learning styles (auditory, visual, kinesthetic, etc); when in fact, we have preferences but we learn when…before I tell you what the research declares, I want to know what you think (write it down or send your thoughts on socials)….we learn when something matters to us.
Ummm, jackpot! We have the opportunity to offer that to our kids, wouldn’t you say?
You have the right ones. Or at least, I’ll cut to the chase: there isn’t one right curriculum, someone else doesn’t have the perfect curriculum, and whatever you have is good enough.
A curriculum doesn’t create an education…raising a child to feel like they are living a meaningful life and have the ability to follow their curiosities is a beautiful education.
Then it’s going just as expected: homeschooling has its ups and downs. There may be days when things don’t go as planned. There may be many possible unexpected experiences.
You might discover your child has a learning challenge.
You might discover a dynamic in your family life is pushing your buttons with regularity.
You might discover that your kiddo doesn’t want to wake up as early as you to begin the day.
Or they are up before you!
Or any number of possibilities: you fill in the blank…
These are your opportunities to slow down, assess what’s going on, and learn how you can grow into who you need to be in your family or learn how to be flexible with your schedule.
As Michelle shared in the Patreon group last week, her kiddo is a “friend learner”–he likes to learn alongside others. I know I’ve had that kiddo: she’s still that kiddo in her first year of college. And I have a kiddo that would rather do it independently. She’s also still that kiddo in university.
Every child is unique, so pay attention to how your child learns best. Adapt your approaches to match their learning preferences.
no matter how small.
Positive reinforcement can be a great motivator, but certainly, everyone wants to be seen, heard, and acknowledged. And above anyone else, your kids want to hear that from you!
Your well-being is essential for a satisfying homeschool life. Make time for yourself and ensure you have a support system in place.
Homeschooling doesn’t have to look like traditional schooling and it doesn’t have to look like anyone you follow on social media, not how I did it, or another prominent influencer, and it doesn’t have to look like anything you’ve ever seen.
You’re raising your kids, and you’re facilitating it as their unique homeschool parent.
So that means the formula for YOUR homeschool life is going to look a whole lot different than other homeschool families.
You do you, girlfriend: embrace you. (Then notice your expectations ease into realistic expectations: it’ll happen when you embrace the reality of your kids and yourself.)
If you ever feel overwhelmed or if your child faces specific challenges, don’t hesitate to consult with educational professionals or special needs experts (ps I’ll be having a conversation with Diane Geerlinks Educational Therapy tomorrow about strategies and therapeutic solutions to encourage kids that experience ADHD: their challenges, how to help them overcome any challenges, or at least plan for them, and also how to engage their social well-being).
Take a look back in your camera roll from when you first birthed that baby (this is, of course, assuming your kiddo isn’t older than five because I don’t know how much space you have in your phone, but 5 years of photos would make my phone implode; I’m presently uploading 20,000 photos from the last six months, oh boy, but I digress…)…The point of me sharing this is that you need to Trust the Process: Homeschooling is a journey that evolves.
You evolve, your kids evolve, your approach evolves, everything evolves. It’s a thing. We grow.
So lean into not knowing everything, assume you’ll never get it perfectly, and upload those old photos to DropBox because you’ve got more memories to record!
That’s the best encouragement for homeschool moms I can offer — trust that you’re growing right alongside your kids.
Here’s to remembering every moment (or grab those phones) and here’s to evolving together on this beautiful homeschooling adventure!
“The New Homeschooler’s Quick Guide: 9 Mistakes to Avoid for a Stress-Free First Year” will help you confidently begin your homeschooling journey! This Quick Guide, crafted by an experienced homeschool parent, is your roadmap to a successful start.
The Confident Homeschool Reset Session is a free 30-minute call where we look at what’s actually going on in your homeschool — not just the surface stuff, but the real things underneath that keep you second-guessing yourself.
I help homeschool moms release pressure, edit expectations, and make small, intentional shifts that lead to a more confident and connected homeschool life.
The credits came as a byproduct of engagement, not the other way around.
One of my daughters was genuinely lit up during her high school years. Between AP courses, mentorships, part-time jobs, extracurriculars, and dual enrollment, she accumulated more credits than her transcript could hold. But here’s what I want you to notice: she was lit up. The structure served her curiosity — not the other way around.
Another mom in our community, Sarita, told us her high schooler had started rolling her eyes at anything that felt childish. “She wants more freedom,” Sarita said. “And honestly, I see that she’s ready for it.”
So Sarita made some shifts. She gave her daughter control over her mornings — explore interests first, structured academics in the afternoon. She started building a transcript, not because college was a firm plan, but because she wanted the option to exist.
“Even if you aren’t interested in college right now, I want to know that we’re ready if you change your mind.”
It comes up a lot when moms talk about transitioning into homeschool high school: their teens are pulling away from family activities, finding younger siblings annoying, wanting more time alone, more say over their lives.
And the moms often wonder — did I do something wrong?
You didn’t.
This is individuation. It’s the developmental work of becoming a distinct self, separate from family, capable of navigating the world independently, it’s supposed to happen, and it’s healthy. And in homeschool families, where proximity is high and togetherness is built into the structure, it can feel particularly sharp when it arrives.
Your teen doesn’t want to join family game night anymore. She’s not ungrateful. She’s becoming herself.
Give her room to do that — even when it’s uncomfortable.
If you’re asking yourself any of these questions right now:
How do I make space for my teen’s growing independence without losing our connection?
What if she’s not “ahead” the way other kids seem to be?
How do I prepare her for life without making everything about college?
Am I doing enough?
Please know this: you don’t have to figure it all out before school starts. You don’t have to have the perfect plan. You just have to stay curious, stay connected, and trust that you know your child better than any curriculum guide or comparison chart ever could.
During this season, we pepper our teens with questions — what do you want to study, what career interests you, what do you see yourself doing at 25?
And these kids — who are 14, 15, 16 years old — are supposed to have answers.
Most adults are still figuring it out too — revising, pivoting, discovering — so instead of asking your teen to have it all mapped out, try a smaller question: what’s her next right step, and what feels alive in her right now?
And then the question I really want to sit with you on:
Are you living a purposeful life yourself?
Because your teen is watching — not for perfection, but for permission. She needs to see that it’s possible to live intentionally, to follow your own path, to figure things out as you go. One of my daughters once said to me: “I’m really glad you’ve been able to do life on your own terms, because I feel more comfortable doing it on my own terms.”
That’s what we’re really building here. Not just educated teenagers. Intentional humans. And in the process, we’re raising ourselves too.
I created the Mindset Shifts for Homeschool Moms: Thriving Through the High School Years journaling workbook specifically for moms in this transition — the ones who are doing the inner work alongside the planning work.
It’s practical, it’s honest, and it’s full of questions that help you get clear on what actually matters for your family in this season.
Every child is different — your goal is to tailor the education, not replicate someone else’s. Here are some real-life examples to help you think it through:
If you have a kiddo, heading into middle school years, I’d like to hear what you were doing for them differently this year?
The Aligned Homeschool Reset Session is a free 30-minute call where we look at what’s actually going on in your homeschool — not just the surface stuff, but the real things underneath that keep you second-guessing yourself.
I help homeschool moms release pressure, edit expectations, and make small, intentional shifts that lead to a more confident and connected homeschool life.
If you register as a homeschooler under Section 12/13 of the BC School Act, you are fully responsible for your child’s education. No required curriculum. No mandatory testing. And no Dogwood diploma is received upon high school completion. You register by September 30th — or any time you pull your child from school — with a public or independent school of your choice. And that’s essentially it. The government steps back entirely.
One path keeps the government close. The other lets you close the door. (Having said that, there may be reasons you choose to travel one path versus another. I address those reasons in the upcoming BC Homeschool Clarity Session.)
Here’s where the registered homeschooling vs online learning in BC decision gets practical.
Online learning gives you structure, a built-in support person, and in some cases funding. If you’re someone who wants a framework to lean on — especially in year one — that might be genuinely useful. The variation between online schools is significant, though. Some are flexible and relationship-based. Others feel much closer to a traditional school environment. Research the specific school, not just the category.
That’s exhilarating for some families and terrifying for others, and both responses are completely reasonable.
What I’ve noticed across two decades is this: most families start more structured than they’ll eventually be. The families who begin with online learning often find, a few years in, that the structure sometimes becomes constraining rather than supportive. (But not always). And the families who begin with registered homeschooling often spend year one to four recreating school at home before they relax into something that actually fits.
Both are normal. Both are part of the process. Neither choice need be permanent.
When I started homeschooling, I had a vision. Three little girls in white dresses, slamming screen doors, running in from the garden, reading Anne of Green Gables on a white Ikea couch while we sipped afternoon tea. You know — utopia.
The white couch lasted about a season. (A white couch in any family home is always an unwise choice.)
But let me back up, because the vision didn’t start with a couch. It started with a book.
We were living in Alberta at the time. My two oldest girls were in private school. I had no particular complaints — I genuinely loved my daughter’s kindergarten teacher — but something was quietly unsettled in me. I picked up a book called The Homeschool Option: How Do I Know If It’s Right for Me? and something shifted. Within the week, we decided to homeschool our family. She was naming things I didn’t know I was already thinking.
At almost exactly the same time, my husband was wrestling with his own version of that same question — about his life, his work, his sense of ownership and intention. Both of us, in the same week, arriving at the same place from different directions.
That convergence felt like something worth listening to.
So before we even moved to the interior of BC, I had already decided. I registered our oldest two — the ones who were school age at the time — as homeschoolers. We landed in BC already committed to the registered path, already clear that we weren’t interested in someone else’s curriculum or someone else’s timeline or someone else’s definition of what an educated child looked like.
My family shifted from structured homeschooling to unschooling to eclectic homeschooling over our first few years. I registered as a homeschooler and never looked back — but what that looked like changed constantly. Two of my daughters eventually entered public high school for grade 10, with no testing required and no difficulty adjusting. Another graduated without a Dogwood and went straight into college.
The decision I made at the beginning — registered homeschooling, full stop — stayed constant. But everything inside that decision evolved as my kids grew and as I grew.
It’s your next right step. And if you choose it purposefully — because it fits who your family actually is, not because you stumbled into it or someone scared you into it — you’ll have something solid to stand on when it gets hard.
And it will get hard. That’s not a warning. That’s just the truth of any meaningful thing.
“The path you choose today is not your forever answer. It’s your next right step.”
If anything in that story resonates — the quiet unsettledness, the search for something that fits your family rather than someone else’s template, the desire to lead your own life on your own terms — you’re already thinking the right thoughts.
This is the framework I use with every family I coach through this decision — and it matters more than any comparison chart.
Both are valid starting points. But knowing which one you are helps you stay grounded when it gets hard. Families who are running toward freedom, connection, and a different pace of life tend to settle into homeschooling more naturally. Families who are primarily running away from a bad school situation sometimes find that the relief wears off and the uncertainty rushes in. Neither is fatal — but it’s worth knowing.
Not forever — just right now. If the answer is “not very,” online learning gives you a scaffold to lean on while you build confidence. If the answer is “I’d love that,” registered homeschooling gives you the room to do it.
If your child is heading into high school with university or trades in mind, this plays into this discussion too. Online learning makes that path more straightforward. Registered homeschoolers can absolutely pursue post-secondary — my own kids did — but it requires more intentional planning.
A note here: if your child is nowhere near high school, take this particular concern off your plate entirely. You have plenty of time to get to know your kid, plenty of time to help them find their direction, and plenty of time to figure out the transcript question when it’s actually relevant. Don’t let a high school concern drive a decision you’re making for a seven-year-old or even your eleven-year-old.
This is the question most families have never been asked. Not “is your home perfect” — none of ours are — but are you willing to look at it honestly and tend to it? Homeschooling magnifies whatever is already present in your family dynamics. The families who thrive are the ones who are willing to pay attention to this.
Even imperfectly. Even on hard days. This isn’t a trick question — it’s the most honest predictor of whether this lifestyle will be sustainable for you.
These aren’t abstract questions. They’re the ones that actually shift something when you sit with them honestly. Here’s what one BC homeschool mom said after working through exactly this kind of conversation:
The families who thrive in homeschooling — regardless of which side of the registered homeschooling vs online learning in BC decision they land on — are the ones doing it purposefully. Not reactively. Not because someone scared them into it or shamed them out of conventional school. But because they looked at the child in front of them, asked honest questions, and made a decision that fit their actual family.
That’s what this decision is really about.
Here’s what I know after two decades of homeschooling and six years of coaching: every parent has one singular goal — to raise up their particular child for their particular purpose in life. You care the most about your child. You see your child most clearly. And you are the most invested person in the room, and you always will be.
You also carry a set of values that are uniquely yours — a sense of what you’re being called toward right now, in this season of your family’s life. Whether registered homeschooling or a specific online school aligns with those values is something only you can determine. Every online school has its own culture, its own intentions, its own feel. Every family does too—the fit matters.
I have no skin in the game when it comes to your choice. I’m not here to talk you into a particular path. My only intention is to help you find your own clarity — because you already know your family better than anyone.
Sometimes you need the right conversation to hear what you already know.
That’s what the session is for.
Every two to three weeks, I open a Friday afternoon for a small group of BC families at exactly this crossroads. Six to eight families. One hour. Real conversation with someone who has been doing this in BC for two decades.
There are plenty of homeschool parents who could have this chat with you. What’s different is this: for the last six years, I’ve been working as a certified life coach, specifically with homeschool families — coaching and walking alongside women through every family dynamic imaginable inside the four walls of a home. I’ve been supporting women to untangle the overwhelm and find their footing, to stop second-guessing themselves and start leading their families with intention, to navigate the hard relational dynamics that homeschooling surfaces — the conflict, the burnout, the loneliness, the self-doubt — and come out the other side clearer and more confident than when they started.
You don’t have to spend hours down a rabbit hole of Facebook threads and government websites to get clarity.
Can I switch from online learning to registered homeschooling in BC?
Yes. Neither decision is permanent. Families switch between the two paths regularly as their needs change. You can register as a homeschooler at any point in the school year.
Do registered homeschoolers in BC get funding?
Not typically. Registered homeschoolers under Section 12/13 of the BC School Act do not receive government funding. Online learners may have access to funding depending on the school — verify directly with the school you’re considering as amounts and eligibility change.
Does a registered homeschooler in BC need to follow the BC curriculum?
No. Registered homeschoolers are not required to follow the BC curriculum, complete mandatory testing, or work toward a Dogwood diploma. You are required to provide an educational program that enables your child to become literate and develop their individual potential contributing to their greater world.
Can a registered homeschooler in BC enter public school?
Yes — at any time, with no testing or pre-admission requirements.
What is the deadline to register as a homeschooler in BC?
September 30th if you know ahead of time. However, you can pull your child from school and register at any point throughout the year.
Is there a homeschool life coach in BC who works specifically with homeschool families?
Yes. Teresa Wiedrick is a certified life coach and homeschool mentor based in the Kootenays, BC. She homeschooled in BC for nearly two decades and has been coaching homeschool families for six years. She works with BC families navigating the registered homeschooling vs online learning decision and supports homeschool moms through their first year and beyond. You can learn more about her here.
How do I start homeschooling in BC?
Starting homeschooling in BC begins with one decision: registered homeschooling or online learning. Once you’re clear on that, the practical steps follow quickly. For a full walkthrough of how to get started — including the legalities, what to expect in your first year, and how to build confidence before you begin — read Start Homeschooling in British Columbia: How to Decide.
What do I need to know before I start homeschooling in BC?
Before you start homeschooling in BC, it helps to understand the two paths available to you — registered homeschooling and online learning — and what each one actually requires of you. It also helps to know that most families start more structured than they’ll eventually be, that the decision isn’t permanent, and that you are more ready than you think. For a deeper look at what to expect, visit Start Homeschooling in British Columbia: How to Decide
The Aligned Homeschool Reset Session is a free 30-minute call where we look at what’s actually going on in your homeschool — not just the surface stuff, but the real things underneath that keep you second-guessing yourself.
I help homeschool moms release pressure, edit expectations, and make small, intentional shifts that lead to a more confident and connected homeschool life.
Even in my most traditional homeschool years, I’ve always wrapped things up by the end of May. Typically at the beginning of June, I’d bring the kids outside to sit, draw, read some poetry, write some poetry, narrate a Shakespeare play, learn Latin names for native plants, learn the name of cloud formations, and identify animal scat. (AKA harnessing my inner Charlotte Mason — although I don’t think she ever mentions animal scat, ha.)
It’s also the time of year I assessed my past homeschool year and used that as a brainstorming tool to imagine my upcoming homeschool year. It was fresh on my mind!
That’s why I created a Year End Review for you — a group coaching opportunity. If you want to do your homeschool and your life on purpose, you need regular breaks from the same-ole same-ole to check how it’s working for you and your kids. (Or if it’s not.)
Over the years I’ve learned that a meaningful year-end review isn’t just about curriculum or schedules. It goes deeper. Here are the three areas that matter most.
This is the question most of us are afraid to ask honestly — because what if the answer is no?
A plan that fit beautifully two years ago can quietly become the thing that’s exhausting you today. Not because you failed. Because your season changed. Your kids grew. Your family shifted. Life happened.
And if this year didn’t go the way you hoped — that gap between your vision and your reality deserves to be acknowledged. Maybe even grieved a little. Because when we skip that step and jump straight to “okay, new plan!” we carry the weight of disappointment straight into next year.
The first part of a good year-end review is giving yourself permission to look honestly at what happened, release the expectations that were never realistic, and ask: what actually fits our life right now?
Here’s a question I love to sit with during my Homeschool Year-End Review: Is how I’m spending my time actually aligned with what I say I value?
Because most of us are busy. Very busy. But busy doing what, exactly?
When we slow down and look at where our time is actually going, we often discover a gap between our values and our daily reality. A time-and-values check-in isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. Once you can see where your energy is going, you can make intentional choices about where it goes next year.
This one is the one we skip most often. Because we’re so used to asking how our kids are doing that we forget to ask the same about ourselves.
How are you doing?
Not your homeschool. Not your curriculum. The question isn’t about your kids’ progress. It’s about you.
Are you enjoying this? Does homeschool feel like something flowing from you — or something running over you? Because when a homeschool mom is depleted and disconnected, the whole family feels it. And no curriculum swap in the world will fix that.
This part of the Homeschool Year End Review is about reconnecting with yourself — with who you are beyond the role of homeschool mom, and what it would look like to actually enjoy the life you’ve built.
Rethink your homeschool plan for 2026/2027 — and release what no longer fits your season
Audit how your time and energy are really being used
Reconnect with how homeschool mom life feels — and how to make it better
Design a personalized Burnout Prevention Plan
Explore child-inspired learning approaches
Create a Y.O.U. Plan — one that includes your identity and wellness, not just your kids’ education
You’ll work directly in two tools during the session — the Wellness Journal for Homeschool Mamas and the Homeschool Mama Vision Planner — so you leave with them already full of your own clarity. Not blank pages to figure out later.
Bring your journal and a pen. Come without the kids. You’ll receive personal coaching feedback during and after the session.
Clarity & confidence about your 2026/2027 homeschool year
An updated home education plan that fits this season
A personalized Burnout Prevention Plan
Personal wellness practices that fit your real life
A Y.O.U. Plan — because your identity matters too
The Wellness Journal for Homeschool Mamas
The Homeschool Mama Vision Planner
“Before the Year-End Review session with Teresa, I felt overwhelmed and exhausted — even thinking about planning next year filled me with dread. After just that one conversation, I walked away feeling confident, hopeful, and clear. Teresa’s kindness, understanding, and gentle guidance saved me so much indecision and stress. If you’re a homeschool mom feeling stretched thin or unsure where to begin — this is the support you didn’t know you needed.” — Jen, homeschool mom of 3
The Aligned Homeschool Reset Session is a free 30-minute call where we look at what’s actually going on in your homeschool — not just the surface stuff, but the real things underneath that keep you second-guessing yourself.
I help homeschool moms release pressure, edit expectations, and make small, intentional shifts that lead to a more confident and connected homeschool life.
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