Hey mama — I have something I want to share with you.
Last week, I included a simple, no-pressure poll in my email, just a quiet check-in to see how moms are really feeling right now.
Here’s what stood out to me:
Over 54% of you said you’re at or past your capacity.
That’s more than half.
And mamas… that’s not nothing.
Even if that isn’t where you are personally, I’d be surprised if it isn’t someone you love. A homeschool friend. Someone smiling on the outside while feeling stretched thin underneath.
There’s a line in Lord of the Rings that’s stayed with me for years. In Bilbo's old age, while he toys with the ring, he says he feels like “not enough butter spread over too much bread.”
That description fit my life perfectly for a long time.
Sometimes that stretched-thin feeling comes because no one ever taught us how to return to steady and calm. Sometimes it’s simply because life has asked too much, for too long.
And as homeschool moms, that pressure can compound quietly.
Add in the highlight reels on Instagram — the polished mornings, the happy faces, the sense that everyone else is holding it together — and it becomes easy to believe, “It must just be me.”
But look at the numbers.
Clearly, you are not alone.
And I want to pause here to acknowledge something important.
If you recognized yourself as being at or past capacity that awareness matters. Naming it takes honesty and courage.
Behind the shiny smiles and social media veneer, it’s a big deal to step out and say, “I’m at capacity… or past it.”
That kind of awareness is not failure. It’s a meaningful step forward, even before anything changes.
You don’t have to fix anything today. Noticing is enough for now.
A Companion for This Season
If this season feels familiar, I want to quietly mention my book, Overwhelmed: A Homeschool Mom’s Rescue Plan for Peaceful Routines.
I wrote it during a time when I deeply loved homeschooling — and still felt stretched thin, reactive, and discouraged by how hard the days felt. Not because I was failing, but because I was carrying more than my system could hold.
The book isn’t a quick fix or a checklist. It doesn’t rush you toward change.
It offers understanding — language for why homeschool can feel so heavy in certain seasons, how emotional load builds quietly, and why so many capable, loving moms end up doubting themselves.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why does this feel so much harder than I expected?” That story lives there.
No urgency. Just an open door, if and when you want it.
Come Meet with Me In-Person
If you’re craving connection beyond your own four walls, there are also a few in-person events coming up that I love recommending — spaces to explore ideas, ask questions, and remember you’re not doing this alone.
✨ NEON Kidz Education Expo at the Keizer Event Center
📅 February 28, 2026 Keizer, OR
This is a fantastic one-day expo for families who want to explore homeschool and alternative education options in a relaxed, welcoming environment. You’ll find curriculum vendors, local resources, and conversations that help you feel more confident about your next steps — whether you’re brand new or a seasoned homeschooler looking to refresh.
✨ Portland Homeschool & Alternative Education Fair at Rose City Park United Methodist Church
📅 March 7, 2026 📍 Portland, OR
This fair is a great option if you’re in the Portland area and want to see a wide range of educational philosophies and resources all in one place. It’s especially helpful if you’re in a season of re-evaluating what’s working (and what’s not) and want exposure to new ideas without pressure.
✨ Teach the Children Homeschool Convention
📅 DELAYED 📍 Richland, WA
Unfortunately, this conference currently delayed on the date, but WASHINGTON STATE moms, have no fear, the WHO is bringing back their conference on July 18th, 2026. I'll have more details soon.
our favorites books
Full of Life: Exploring Earth’s Biodiversity
AGES 6–14 YEARS OLD
This book lived open on my kitchen counter for nearly a week.
Not because I assigned it — but because the kids kept picking it up. Slow flipping through a few pages at a time. One would notice a photo, another would read a caption out loud, someone else would ask a question… and then they’d wander off and come back later.
It explores Earth’s biodiversity in a way that feels alive — not dry facts, but real wonder about how plants and animals adapt, survive, and thrive.
For moms: it supports science in a very natural, low-effort way. For kids: it invites curiosity in those ordinary, in-between moments.
Building a Beak by Becca McMurdie
AGES 5–12 YEARS OLD
This book led us down one of those rabbit trails that homeschooling does best.
It explores how different birds’ beaks are designed for specific purposes — feeding, survival, and adaptation — in a way that’s hands-on and engaging. What made it extra fun for us was pairing it with a Discovery+ episode where a beak is 3D printed for a toucan at Vantara.
Seeing biology, engineering, and compassion come together made the learning stick.
For moms: a perfect example of how books + media can deepen understanding without extra prep. For kids: it makes science feel real, modern, and connected to the world.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki AGES 10+
This one surprised me.
My 11-year-old has been reading Rich Dad Poor Dad, and recently told me he’s learning how to make money work for him instead of always trading his time for money.
That stopped me in my tracks.
That principle alone is something I really wish I had been exposed to when I was younger. We’re reading it slowly, talking through ideas together, and letting it spark conversations rather than trying to turn it into a lesson.
For moms: it opens the door to money conversations many of us didn’t grow up having. For kids: it introduces big-picture thinking about work, money, and choices.
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The weekly email designed to help you reclaim your time, create meaningful connections, and build a homeschool that’s as unique as your family. Join 6K+ homeschool moms who treat this newsletter as their trusted guide to confident and joyful homeschooling. Disclaimer: This newsletter may bring unexpected breakthroughs, peaceful homeschool days, and that “finally, I’m doing enough” feeling.