Dec 17 2024 33 mins
Every homeschool mom faces moments of doubt, frustration, and uncertainty– I’ve come to realize that these challenges are universal.
When I first wrote about my struggles in this homeschool life, I had no idea how many other moms were experiencing the same things. The responses I’ve received have been nothing short of eye-opening.
In this post, I’ll explore some of the biggest challenges we face as homeschool moms, from managing our feelings of “enoughness” and understanding our partners to navigating sibling bickering and being realistic with our kids and ourselves to overcoming imposter syndrome as home educating parents.
Hopefully, you’ll find valuable insights and encouragement from my work supporting homeschool moms, making your 2025 homeschool life a little lighter.
What 2024 Taught Me About Supporting Homeschool Moms
The Common Struggles Every Homeschool Mom Faces
They validated the experiences I had in my homeschool — every family and every homeschool mom is challenged by something. One mom shared with me that she has dog-eared almost every page in my book, which has sat on her nightstand for the last few years. She felt that I was a fly on her wall.
You have no idea how many times I’ve heard those words. It’s wild to write a book, vulnerably sharing the challenges in my own home, and then discover over the next five years that these struggles are common in most people’s homes.
Homeschooling Challenges Are Not Just for Homeschool Families
I wish I’d known when I was homeschooling that these challenges aren’t just in homeschool families’ homes. They’re in everyone’s homes.
- The struggle to listen to our kids and understand their needs.
- We struggle to manage our own emotions, understand them, and be compassionate toward ourselves as a mom.
- The struggle to understand and be understood by your partner.
- The struggle to balance homeschool, work, life, and tidying while honouring the present moment and still recognizing the end goal.
These are universal challenges that every parent and human faces.
Four Key Insights I Gained Greater Clarity On About the Homeschool Mom Experience
The Importance of Connection and Community
I wish I’d known earlier that homeschool families face these challenges too. It would have given me a sense of community and connection, making me feel like I wasn’t facing the struggles alone. To be fair, I had a close friend who shared authentically with me, and I was able to do the same with her. We cared about each other’s families, and we still do. Our families were at different stages, but we were able to cheer each other on.
This is what I see in the Confident Homeschool Mom Collective — a naturally growing community of women who support each other through the challenges and joys of homeschool life.
What Surprised Me Over the Last Year: Why Homeschool Moms Struggle to Take Breaks
Another thing I’ve heard from nearly every homeschool mom is that her partner encourages her to take a break — to leave home, do something she loves, or at the very least, go out for a cup of coffee. But many homeschool moms don’t feel able to because they don’t think their partner is up to the task.
Oh, how I remember feeling the same way! I likely didn’t say it out loud, and it wasn’t because my husband wasn’t capable.
If you were to visit our local ER with a child who had a broken limb or had been sick for weeks, you’d find that my husband is a baby magnet. He’s playful with toddlers, engaging them as if they’re on the same level. He’s even curious about their thoughts, asking them how old they think he is. He’s also incredibly respectful of a teenager’s need for autonomy. He’s just really good with kids.
It was because he didn’t do things my way. The right way.
So this is what I hear from homeschool moms on repeat…
One way I identified my husband wasn’t doing it the “right way” was that he didn’t want to do things by the book. He wanted deep conversations. He was totally down for conversations with the 8 year old about the gold standard, Canadian party politics, and the pros and cons of bitcoin, and precious metals. He wasn’t going to read from the Story of the World, or recite Mary Oliver, or practice water colour with the kids.
Who knew that so many homeschool dads are actually advocating for more responsibility at home? If there’s one thing you take away from this podcast, it should be this: Your husband wants you to take a break!
Now, how do you overcome the inertia of thinking, “He won’t do it like I do”?
But here’s the thing: If you’re anything like me, you’ve been parenting in a way that feels like the “only” right way. We often struggle to let go because we believe our parenting style is the best one for our kids. But in reality, your partner’s parenting style brings valuable diversity to your children’s lives.
It helps them see the world from more than one perspective.
Sometimes, it’s to our kids’ benefit to step back and allow our partners to build unique relationships with them.
What Also Surprised Me: My Struggle With Sibling Bickering
Another thing I’ve learned about the homeschool mom experience: I tend to avoid talking about the one thing that challenged me most in my homeschool family life. It’s not surprising, right? I didn’t enjoy it, so I avoid discussing it. However, I’ve realized this might not serve you well.
So, what was it? Want to take a guess? It’s sibling bickering, complaining, and fighting.
One question I asked a homeschool mom recently: how much fighting, complaining, and bickering do you expect your kids to engage? Scale of 1-10?
Overcoming Feelings of Inadequacy
Homeschool moms often struggle with feelings of inadequacy or “not enoughness”.
These feelings of “not enoughness” are often rooted in past educational experiences, societal pressures, or childhood expectations.
This sense of inadequacy affects how we engage learning opportunities but also our relationships with our children, partners, and ourselves. To overcome this, we need to explore why we’re feeling those feelings, because it’s not just about comparing our homeschool on Instagram–and then learn to shift “I’m not enough” mental scripts into “I am enough as I am, I am on a personal growth journey, I will never be perfect, and my kids are blessed to have me, right now.”
By practicing self-compassion, setting realistic expectations, and seeking support, we can create an environment where both moms and kids feel valued and capable.
Four Things I Already Knew About the Homeschool Mom
Struggling with Confidence in Her Academic Abilities
Homeschool moms often wrestle with the belief that they are capable of teaching their children. This struggle can impact their confidence in their academic abilities, leading them to sometimes become defensive about their homeschooling choices. Whether it’s opting for online programs or leaning into unschooling, this defensiveness often stems from a place of self-doubt and the pressure to ensure their children are receiving the best education possible.
If you were confident, how would that influence how you chose learning opportunities, addressed science experiments, or learning haiku or relearning math concepts?
And if you were confident, would you be less defensive when someone questioned your homeschool choice?
Intentionality in Education
Homeschool moms are deeply intentional about their educational approach, enabling holistic development, preparing their kids to be resilient, emotionally intelligent, socially aware and engaging, and insightful, thoughtful kids.
Challenges in Connecting with Their Partner
Another common struggle I’ve seen is the disconnect that homeschool moms often feel with their partners. Whether it’s disagreements about parenting approaches, homeschooling methods, or simply differing values in how the family should operate, these moments can cause tension. Finding common ground between partners can be a huge challenge, and it can sometimes feel isolating when their visions for the family’s future don’t align.
External Stressors Impacting Family Life
Life’s external pressures—like chronic illness, the death of a loved one, or job loss—can profoundly affect a homeschool family.
Homeschool moms often carry the heavy weight of these struggles, juggling their emotional challenges alongside the educational and emotional needs of their children. They strive to push through, yet overlook their need to pause, heal, and make a necessary shift in perspective and approach.
Shed What’s Not Working So You Can Embrace a More Fulfilling Homeschool Journey
As I’ve supported homeschool moms over the years, I’ve learned that shedding what’s not working is key to enjoying our homeschool lives more. We are not alone in our struggles—whether it’s managing emotions, navigating relationships with our partners, or handling sibling bickering, these moments of doubt and frustration are universal. But they don’t define us.
This is not a linear path of perfection, but a dynamic, sometimes challenging process of continuous learning and adaptation.
By shifting our mindset from “I’m not enough” to “I am enough as I am,” and embracing self-compassion and support, we can create a family environment where both moms and kids feel valued and capable. You’ve got this, and I’m here to support you every step of the way!
This time of year always felt like a whirlwind for me, with Christmas planning taking center stage.
But then, like clockwork, when Christmas arrived, the world slowed down. The holiday hustle gave way to a rare, peaceful pause—my quietest week of the year.
Does that resonate with you too?
I’d stay cozy in my pajamas (or my fresh new yoga pants—thanks, Santa!) and dive into reflection and planning. For years, I used tools like Sarah Susanka’s The Not So Big Life to look back at what worked, let go of what didn’t, and dream big for the coming year.
This reflective downtime has always been a gift—a chance to ensure my homeschool aligns with my family’s values, goals, and needs. It’s how I transitioned from questioning if I was doing enough to confidently creating a homeschool rhythm that felt fulfilling.
Now, I want to share that clarity and excitement with you.
Imagine stepping into 2025 without the burnout or self-doubt, but instead with a clear vision for your homeschool. Let’s make it happen!
Join me for the free 5-Day Vision Challenge for Homeschool Moms, where we’ll reflect, dream, and create actionable plans to:
- Infuse purpose and intentionality into your homeschool days.
- Align your daily activities with your bigger-picture vision.
- Address your unique challenges and the individual needs of your children.
- And, most importantly, celebrate YOU—the amazing homeschool mama shaping your family’s story.
This challenge is packed with insights and strategies delivered straight to your inbox. It’s your perfect companion for planning and dreaming in this quiet, reflective season.
Click here to join the Homeschool Mama Vision Challenge and re-envision your 2025 homeschool!
Here’s to a year full of inspiration, joy, and freedom in your homeschool journey. 
2025 Homeschool Mom Vision Planner
Start your homeschool year with clarity and confidence using the 2025 Homeschool Mom Vision Planner. This thoughtfully designed planner includes reflective prompts, practical tools, and space to align your homeschooling journey with your personal growth and family goals. Plan with purpose and create a year filled with joy and intention!
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Teresa Wiedrick
I help overwhelmed homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.
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The post What 2024 Taught Me About Supporting Homeschool Moms appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.