How do I prep myself as a homeschooling parent?

May 6

3 min read

Before I turn this blog into a full-fledged kids’ homeschool resource hub—with product ideas, book suggestions, and sample schedules—I needed to touch on something far more personal. Last week, we explored homeschooling myths and guiding principles that shape our journey. This week, I want to begin with a question I get asked all the time:

“How do you prep for all of this?”

“Where do you get the energy?”

“Did you do any certifications?”

Let me break it to you—no, I haven’t done any homeschooling certification. And no, I don’t have an endless reserve of magical energy that keeps me afloat. But do I prepare? Absolutely. I just approach it a little differently.

This post is a quick look into the mindset shifts and habits that help me navigate homeschooling without spiraling into overwhelm.

Be Flexible

I’m not rigid with my ideas—and that’s intentional. Flexibility has been my biggest strength. I've seen so many parents become resistant to feedback or new approaches, and honestly, that can be a roadblock. I’ve always been open to the idea of child-led, interest-based learning, even before I knew what “homeschooling” really meant. The terminology came later; the mindset came first.

Be Honest—with Your Child and Yourself

Whether or not you're homeschooling, honesty is a superpower in parenting. It’s what has helped me build trust with my child from day one. If I need to miss a play session because of a work call, I tell him. If I’m exhausted and need a power nap, I tell him that too. These aren’t dramatic family meetings—just quiet, honest moments. And guess what? He supports me. Because he feels included in this journey, not sidelined by it.

Actually Let Your Child Lead

“Child-led learning” sounds lovely on paper—but are we really letting our kids lead, or are we subtly steering them toward our own preferences?

In our home, while we do have a rough idea of weekly topics, I adapt things based on my child’s mood and energy levels. Some days we deep-dive into dinosaurs. Other days, it’s a free-form watercolor session. The results? Faster, happier, more focused learning. Let your child lead. Really.

Don’t Suppress Yourself

We all want to shield our children from life’s tough moments, but reality doesn’t work like that—and neither do we. I have bad days. I make mistakes. I lose my cool. Instead of hiding that, I let my child see the real me. And afterward, I talk to him about it.

He knows I’m not perfect—and I want him to know that’s okay. That’s what emotional safety looks like.

Read. Research. Repeat.

I’m not a homeschooling expert. Life is teaching me how to do this, one day at a time. The only way I stay informed is by reading. And no, not just Instagram carousels or WhatsApp forwards. I mean actual research. Thoughtful articles, books, expert interviews—the kind of deep reading that builds confidence and perspective.

Whenever I come across something new or insightful, I share it with my spouse. We talk about it, evaluate it, and decide what works for us. That’s our system. Not perfect—but intentional.

At the end of the day, all I want is to raise a happy, secure, and curious little human. And I genuinely enjoy being part of his learning journey. Not because I’m overly possessive or obsessed, but because I want to make the most of these early years—not just for him, but for me too.