The Motherhood Process
Welcome to The Motherhood Process—the podcast for moms who are ready to trade stress and anxiety for peace and purpose. I’m your host, Autumn Akins, and if you're juggling the challenges of motherhood, struggling with your identity, or feeling overwhelmed by daily life, this show is for you. Each episode offers practical strategies for building intentional routines, shifting your mindset, and finding alignment in motherhood so you can thrive, not just survive. As a boy mom navigating pregnancy and the everyday chaos of parenting, I’ll share personal experiences and proven techniques that have helped me reclaim peace and productivity.
Have you ever asked yourself questions like: “How do I shift my mindset from perfectionism to progress?” “What can I do to feel more fulfilled in my role as a mother?” “How do I find my identity outside of being a mom?” or even “What strategies can I use to create intentional routines that work for my family?”
If this sounds like you, then join me on this journey to discover how you can live a full life in motherhood that you truly love. From tackling stress to building a purposeful, joy-filled life, you’ll walk away from each episode with tools to create more balance and fulfillment. Subscribe for weekly insights on motherhood, productivity, mindset, and more—and don’t forget to follow me on social media and sign up for my newsletter for even more support.
Tune in and start thriving in motherhood today!
Visit autumnakins.com for show notes and additional helpful resources. And be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show so you never miss a single episode!
The Motherhood Process
17: When the Homeschool Steam Fades: Finding Your Spark Again
If you're a homeschool mom feeling the burnout and hitting a wall a few months into the year, you are not alone. Autumn gets real about this common struggle, sharing her own experience navigating this phase while managing a growing family and a major shift in her family's daily rhythms.
This isn't an episode about powering through; it's about giving yourself permission to be human and recalibrate. Autumn offers practical strategies and heart-centered advice to help you refocus, including the non-negotiable importance of self-care, a powerful exercise to reconnect with your original "why" for homeschooling, and tips for simplifying your schedule and letting go of the comparison game. This conversation is an encouraging reminder that a loss of steam is not a failure, but an invitation to step back and ensure you're showing up with intention, not perfection.
What You’ll Hear:
- The personal rhythm shifts in the host's home that led to her own inconsistency and increased childcare burden.
- Why the excitement and novelty of the school year eventually wears off and gives way to exhaustion.
- The crucial importance of checking in with yourself physically and mentally, including water intake, meals, and the game-changing power of a morning routine.
- The clarity you gain by revisiting your why for homeschooling—the values and goals that guided your original decision.
- Practical ways to audit and simplify a too-full homeschool schedule by incorporating structured flexibility and eliminating unnecessary commitments.
- How to combat the feelings of isolation and let go of comparison to the "perfect" homeschool families you see on social media.
Key Takeaways:
- Self-Care is Non-Negotiable: Your homeschool will never thrive if you are not taking care of yourself, because you simply cannot pour from an empty cup.
- Recalibrate, Don't Quit: Losing steam is not a sign of failure; it is an invitation to step back and recalibrate your approach, not to give up on this meaningful path.
- Be the Expert: Give yourself permission to adapt your curriculum. A good teacher doesn't follow a textbook cover-to-cover, and neither should you—pick and choose what is right for your children.
- Connect Intentionally: Actively seek connection by joining homeschool groups or meetups to combat isolation.
- Focus on Intention: You are already winning when you show up with intention, not perfection.
Resources:
https://autumnakins.com/reclaim
Connect with Me:
Let’s continue the conversation! Follow me on Instagram at @whatautumndoes for more tips, encouragement, and personal reflections on motherhood.
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Next week, we’re diving into creating intentional routines that simplify life and bring more peace to your home. Don’t miss it!