When Simple is Enough in Your Homeschool

EP235: As a new homeschool year begins, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the lessons, subjects, and plans we think we need to start right away. But what if “enough” looks much simpler than we imagine? In this episode, Jean shares why starting with self-care ~ and then layering in activities gradually ~ creates a calmer, steadier rhythm for both you and your children. Discover how to celebrate small wins, embrace simplicity, and begin your year with confidence and peace.🌿

Join the Inspired at Home community https://artofhomeschooling.com/inspiredathome 

Find the Show Notes here  https://artofhomeschooling.com/episode235/

Chapters

• 0:40 Why simple is enough
• 2:04 Why self-care should be number one on your to-do list
• 4:08 What self-care looks like
• 5:33 How to layer in your homeschooling activities
• 6:46 What "enough" looks like
• 8:46 An invitation for you

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:09

You're listening to the Art of Homeschooling podcast, where we help parents cultivate creativity and connection at home. I'm your host, jean Miller, and here on this podcast, you'll find stories and inspiration to bring you the confidence you need to make homeschooling work for your family. Let's begin. Hello there and welcome to the Art of Homeschooling podcast, and we're back after a little summer break, so happy to be connecting with you in this way. I'm Jean, and today we're diving into a theme that feels especially important at the start of a new homeschool year, when simple is enough. In fact, it's exactly what's needed.

Speaker 1: 1:09

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the things you could be doing in your homeschool, you are not alone. This time of year, it's easy to think that we need to launch into every activity, every lively art, every beautiful idea we've ever had or ever pinned on Pinterest all at once, all on the same day, right, day one. We're going to do it all, but here's the truth the best way to begin is often with a simple version of the plan and the most important tip start with your own self care. By the way, as we dive into this simplicity topic, I want to remind you that you can find the show notes for this episode at artofhomeschoolingcom slash, episode 235. All right, the most important tip start with your own self-care. That's right, self-care comes first. I know, I know Self-care can sound like just another thing to add to your list of to-dos, but here's the thing Homeschooling is a journey, right, it's a long game and we need fuel to sustain us. When we tend to our own well-being, we can show up calmer, clearer and more present for our children, and that changes everything.

Speaker 1: 2:43

Last week, on our Inspired at Home deep dive call, we talked about the idea of layering in whenever you're starting a new homeschooling year or getting back to lessons after any kind of break. I suggested to the community members on the call that they list five activities to think about layering in over the next few weeks. But then I said and I want all of you to write self-care in the number one spot Self-care doesn't have to be complicated. I like to create an acronym for myself so that I can remember to start my day by filling myself up first. This little series of self-care activities. It might be just a couple of things. Some years it's been longer, but it changes for me throughout the seasons and the years, and right now my acronym is M-E-W, which stands for me, exercise and water. Those are the three things I'm focusing on for myself right now, things I want to do at the beginning of each day or plan for that day. The first one is pick something just for me and then get in some movement and drink my water. Those are my three things.

Speaker 1: 4:05

Scaling back to basics here, as is often the case on these coaching calls, that conversation last week has really helped me as well. I always leave these calls feeling re-energized and capable, right along with the homeschooling parents who are on the call with me. So when Monday rolled around and I was feeling really low energy, instead of powering through my to-do list or beating myself up for feeling the way that I was, I picked up a novel that I'm reading just to sit and read for a little bit, and then wandered into the garden to harvest some tomatoes, eggplant and squash. It didn't look productive quote unquote on paper but afterward I felt lighter and more capable of handling everything else that was waiting for me. That's the power of giving yourself permission to pause and the power of self-care, of taking care of yourself first. So I invite you to reflect what's one small nourishing thing you can give yourself today. Think of it as one simple way you can tend your garden beds to create fertile soil for sowing the creative seeds you need for your homeschooling.

Speaker 1: 5:34

Now let's talk about layering in activities. Think of the homeschool year like planting a garden. You don't sow every single seed on the same day. You start with a few, you tend to them and then you add more over time. In homeschooling that might mean beginning with the core rhythm of your day, like meals, rest time and bedtime and one or two main activities. We call those anchor points throughout our day. Once that feels steady, you can layer in a main lesson, then skills practice, then handwork, time outdoors, read alouds, whatever else you want to add. In this way, you and your children can adjust gently, without overwhelm. It's not about rushing to fit it all in. It's about building a rhythm that feels nourishing and connecting. We call this layering in the activities, and you can do it gradually and with intention at the start of any new year or season.

Speaker 1: 6:47

Now here's a question that often comes up what does enough look like? So here's the most important part. Enough doesn't mean doing all the things. That is not the definition of enough. Enough can be one meaningful lesson, one shared story or one walk outdoors together. Enough might be a little handwork while you read aloud or 10 minutes of watercolor painting. Progress does not come from filling every minute of every hour of every day. It comes from consistency, presence and the connection you're building with your children. So I invite you to celebrate the small wins, because those small steps, repeated with love, become the foundation for your entire homeschool year. Think about the garden Tiny seeds tended with loving care grow into beauty and bounty and goodness. You can add more tomorrow or next week, once you sense your days are going smoothly and feel spacious. But right now, focus on planting the seeds.

Speaker 1: 8:09

As you begin a new homeschooling year, remember this Enough often looks simple. Start with self-care, layer in activities gradually and celebrate the small victories. You don't have to do it all at once. In fact, the magic often lives in the quiet, simple moments you might be tempted to overlook. And if you're looking for more support in making your homeschool year feel doable and meaningful, bring this idea of simplicity and layering in activities.

Speaker 1: 8:46

I'd love to invite you to join me inside the Inspired at Home community. Each month, we explore gentle practices and simple tools to help you create a homeschool rhythm that really works for your family. This month, we're focusing on creating the space for homeschooling, both the physical and the mental space, and in the month of September, we'll be reading and discussing the book Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne, which is the perfect way to begin the year with fresh clarity and inspiration. You can find all the details at artofhomeschoolingcom slash inspired at home. Thanks so much for joining me today. Remember your homeschooling doesn't have to be complicated to be enough. Keep it simple, take it one step at a time and, most of all, take care of yourself along the way. Until next time, take good care and happy homeschooling. That's all for today, my friend, but here's what I want you to remember Rather than perfection, let's focus on connection. Thanks so much for listening and I'll see you on the next episode of the Art of Homeschooling podcast.