💎 This Week's Instagram Picks

1. She’s building a business without missing a single moment with her kids. A mama chasing both purpose and presence — and showing it’s truly possible.(link)

2. Her daughter choosing the floor over a desk is more than just comfort—it’s about freedom, autonomy, and movement. A sweet throwback that shows how joyful learning can be when kids lead the way. (link)

3. Public schools weren’t built to teach real life skills. They were designed to create obedient workers, not independent thinkers. (link)

4. She’s reminding homeschool moms to stop stressing over timelines. Her kids grew at their own pace and became curious, kind, and confident because of it. (link)

🛠️ Tools & Resources

Beethoven Who? Family Fun with Music:
Introduce fun activities and composer studies using YouTube and online resources. Ideal for introducing classical music to kids in a relaxed, family-friendly format.
Type: PDF/online/CD-ROM – Ages: All Ages – Info: Faith-based – Cost: Paid (From $20)

Global Student Network:
Offers a wide range of online homeschool courses in core and elective subjects. Includes faith-based options for students from kindergarten to high school.
Type: Courses – Ages: All Ages – Info: Faith-based – Cost: Free

100+ (Easy and Fun) Creative Nature Walks:
100+ guided eBook nature walk activities that teach science, observation, and ecology. Great for hands-on, outdoor learning with minimal prep.
Type: E-Book – Ages: All Ages – Info: Secular – Cost: $14–$20

Spanish Academy:
Provides personalized Spanish lessons (individual or pairs) via Skype with native Guatemalan teachers. They tailor the curriculum to each student's level.
Type: Online/Skype – Ages: Elementary (Grades 1–5) – Info: Secular – Cost: Paid ($189–$381)

Arts Empowering Life:
Free online lectures and concerts focused on music, performance, and sound design. Designed to inspire creativity and deepen appreciation for the arts.
Type: Videos – Ages: All Ages – Info: Secular – Cost: Free

That 3 AM panic

You know the feeling. It's midnight (or 2 AM, or 5 AM – because anxiety doesn't keep regular hours), and suddenly you're wide awake thinking: What if I'm ruining my kids?

Maybe it started with seeing another homeschool mom's perfectly organised learning space on Instagram. Or your neighbour mentioned their kid is already reading chapter books while yours is still sounding out "cat." Or you realised you haven't touched science in three weeks and now you're convinced your child will never get into college.

I see you, friend. And I need you to know something: that knot in your stomach isn't protecting your kids from anything.

It's just making you miserable.

The thing nobody tells you about homeschool worry

Here's what I wish someone had whispered in my ear during those early days when I was googling "am I failing my kids" at ungodly hours: most of our worry isn't even real.

A study published in the Journal of School Choice found that homeschooling mothers report significantly higher stress levels than other parents – not because homeschooling is inherently harder, but because we carry this crushing weight of feeling like our children's entire future depends on us getting everything exactly right.

But here's the plot twist: it doesn't.

Your kids aren't going to be scarred for life because they learned multiplication a year later than their peers. They're not doomed to flip burgers forever because you skipped a week of grammar lessons to deal with life. And they definitely don't need Pinterest-perfect art projects to have a rich education.

What's really happening in your brain

When that familiar anxiety starts creeping in, try this: actually say out loud, "Oh, hello anxiety. I see you're telling me stories again."

I know it sounds ridiculous. But naming it for what it is – just anxiety, not reality – takes away so much of its power.

Most of our homeschool worry falls into these categories:

• The comparison trap (why doesn't our school look like theirs?)

• The "not enough" spiral (we should be doing more, learning more, being more)

• The crystal ball syndrome (what if this decision ruins their future?)

• The control fantasy (thinking we can somehow manage their entire learning experience)

Here's the truth that changed everything for me: their education belongs to them, not me. I'm the guide, the facilitator, the person who provides opportunities. But I can't force learning to happen, and trying to control every outcome is exhausting for everyone.

A simple reality check that works

When worry strikes, ask yourself: "Is this a real problem I can solve right now, or is this anxiety trying to convince me I can predict and control the future?"

Nine times out of ten, it's the second one.

Your eight-year-old who hates writing? Totally normal. Your teenager who's "behind" in math? Join the club – most adults can't do algebra either, and they're doing just fine. Your child who would rather build with LEGOs than do worksheets? They might be a future engineer.

Here's what actually helps

Instead of lying awake making mental lists of everything you're doing wrong, try this:

Give them ownership. Create simple checklists they can manage themselves. Let them mark off their own work. You'll be amazed how much lighter you feel when you're not carrying everyone's to-do list in your head.

Hug more, stress less. When anxiety hits, go hug your kid. Ask how they're feeling about school. Most of the time, they're happier than you think.

Remember what's working. Keep a simple list on your phone of good moments – when they got excited about a book, solved a problem on their own, or asked a thoughtful question. Anxiety has selective memory, but you don't have to.

When it's more than just worry

Sometimes the anxiety runs deeper. Maybe you're feeling isolated, burned out, or dealing with financial stress that makes every curriculum decision feel life-or-death important.

That's not weakness – that's being human in a challenging situation.

If you're struggling with more than daily worry, please reach out. Find a local homeschool support group, connect with other families online, or talk to a counselor. Taking care of your mental health isn't selfish – it's essential for your whole family.

Your turn

I want to hear from you: what's one worry that's been camping out in your brain lately? Hit reply and tell me – sometimes just naming our fears out loud (or in an email) helps them lose their grip on us.

And here's my challenge for this week: the next time anxiety starts its familiar story, ask yourself, "What would I tell my best friend if she was worried about this exact same thing?" Then give yourself that same grace.

You're doing better than you think, mama. Your kids are learning more than you realise. And that perfectly imperfect education you're providing? It's probably exactly what they need.

P.S. – Those craft projects held together with duct tape and hope? Those are the ones they'll remember fondly when they're adults. Perfect Pinterest projects are forgotten. Love-filled chaos sticks around forever.