Hey there! If we haven’t crossed path yet, I’m Erika, a mama of three AMAZING little boys – a 3rd grader, a kindergartner, and the clingiest (but cutest) one-year-old. It’s kinda hard to believe, but homeschooling was not on my radar, like, ever! But here we are, kicking off our third year of this wild adventure. OK, so let me tell ya, homeschooling has been a rollercoaster ride for us. We’ve had our fair share of growing pains (and believe me, they were real stingers). But hey, you live and learn, right? And now that we’ve been through the ups and downs, my hope is that I can lend a hand to another mama out there. So if at this moment you are feeling like you are going through some growing pains but still don’t quite know the remedy I hope that these 3 tips alleviate some of that pain, I know they were game changers for me!

1st Growing Pain: Less is More

One big lesson I learned is that less is more when it comes to buying curriculum. It’s so tempting to get all excited and hit that “Buy Now” button when you see other homeschooling moms raving about curriculums that were game changers for them. Especially when things are feeling stagnant or frustrating in your homeschool, you start to think the shiny NEW stuff will fix it all. Unfortunately, I’ve made that mistake a few times now- buying what seemed perfect, but it just didn’t work for us at the time. 

I remember when I first started homeschooling, in my search for a curriculum it did not take much before I got sucked into this endless comparison game. Every new thing seemed better and more fun, and I wanted to try everything! FOMO hit me hard (and still does) fearing my kids would fall behind if I didn’t have it all; or that our homeschool would be lacking the magic that other homeschooling families seemed to have. 

Trust me, mama, rushing into emotional purchases is a money trap you don’t wanna fall into. It leaves you with supplies gathering dust and the temptation to include everything in your homeschooling, leading to overwhelm and overspending. So take your time and get to know your day’s rhythm, your child’s attention span, and interests before splurging on anything. The guilt of spending money made me force it on my kiddos, and let me tell you, that didn’t end well (still sucks thinking about it). So save yourself the pain and tune into what your family truly needs. It might feel slow, but trust me, completing a small to-do list feels way better than drowning in overwhelm and trying to keep up. 

Something I started to do is keep a list of the curriculum I’m interested in and why. Then I give it a month or two, and review that list. It really scratches that itch of clicking “Buy Now.” If you try this you’ll be surprised how your priorities might shift months at a time and how much money you’ll save by being more intentional. So, take it easy, mama, and remember it’s okay to add things in later if they truly fit. No need to rush or fear missing out! Remember the BEST curriculum is the one you ACTUALLY use; not the one that emotionally or financially drains you. 

2nd Growing Pain: Accepting the season of Motherhood I was in

My 2nd growing pain has been quite the journey for me, and it’s all about embracing the season of motherhood I’m in, and rolling with life’s circumstances. I’m naturally a creative soul, so those fancy, hands-on curricula with all the bells and whistles totally speak to me. I want my kids to love learning, and I wanna connect with them through teaching in a fun way.

But here’s the thing – last year, I had this adorable little bundle of joy. And let me tell you, reality hit me hard! What I hoped for and what I could actually manage were two COMPLETELY different ball games. It kinda stung at first, ’cause I felt like I was falling short as a parent, not doing enough for my kiddos. But guess what? I learned that a mama that has rest is way better than an overwhelmed one.

That’s when I stumbled upon the concept of child-directed learning, or unschooling. Kids are naturally curious little beings, and when they come to you with their burning questions, it’s magical! So I decided to trust their natural curiosity and follow their lead. And let me tell you, it worked wonders! My older two boys soaked up knowledge like sponges, all while learning about what it requires to care for an infant and strengthening our family bonds. My oldest kiddo who was 7 at the time, said “He felt so lucky he could see his baby sibling grow, and spend every day with him.” When I heard those words out of him, I knew I was doing the right thing for our family. 

I won’t lie; it took some emotional wrestling and browsing through homeschooling forums to realize that the season I was going through was totally normal in the homeschooling community. & know I am in the season where I have some extra time, and can use curriculum that requires a little more planning, and I can blog (that’s the thing about seasons they come and go).  So here’s my message to you, mama: let go of that guilt and lean into what this season of motherhood is asking out of you and your family. Embrace it with a humble heart, for it won’t last forever, and you never know what precious gifts it may bring to you and your family.

3rd Growing Pain: Relying on my own strength

My 3rd growing pain came from trying to rely on my own strength and failing miserably. You see, when I initially chose homeschooling, it came from a place of peace. But my perfectionistic tendencies soon crept in and clouded that serenity. Unfortunately, like many I have been hardwired to “hustle for my worth,” seeking validation in achievements and others’ opinions. And when my husband and I decided to take charge of our children’s education, overwhelm hit me like a train of bricks!! How could I possibly meet all the demands of being my kids’ teacher, running the household, caring for myself (especially during pregnancy), continue my career, be a supportive wife, and juggle all my different roles?

Fast forward to the arrival of our third baby, and that fragile thread of strength I was clinging on to finally snapped. I couldn’t pretend to have it all together anymore, and it was EXTREMELY humbling to face my emotional and physical weaknesses, especially when my family needed me the most. But in my weakest moments, I discovered an incredible source of strength – God. I realized I didn’t have to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. Through surrender, I found comfort in releasing control to God and trusting in His plan and love for my family and I.

Resting in God’s goodness completely transformed my homeschooling journey. I finally let go of the burden of trying to be the perfect teacher for my kids and comparing myself to an unattainable standard. Instead, I learned to trust in His plan for our homeschool and embraced the fact that I am uniquely equipped to be the best teacher for my children. 

Focusing on the heart of homeschooling became my priority – nurturing a love for learning, fostering character development, and creating a nurturing environment for my children to thrive. I stopped trying to do it all on my own and started relying on God’s strength and guidance. Surrendering to His plan brought me a deep sense of peace and contentment, making the learning process with my kids truly enjoyable. With newfound flexibility, our homeschool became more joyful, relaxed, and purposeful. Trusting in God’s goodness not only transformed our homeschooling experience but also enriched our family life.

So, to all the incredible mamas out there feeling the pressure to do it all, hear this: you don’t have to be perfect. Embrace your weaknesses, for in them, you’ll find strength and the assurance of God’s love. Surrender your worries, and let God’s goodness carry you through this beautiful journey of motherhood. Trust in His plan, and you’ll discover a peace that transcends all struggles. This has probably been one of the biggest gifts I have received on this journey and I hope I can encourage you to seek God’s strength and love for you. 

If you yourself are a homeschooling parent, I would love to hear from you what your biggest growing pains have been on your homeschooling journey. Please comment below: