I’m totally lucky to get to balance a job I love with hands-on homeschooling, which I also love, but hitting that balance isn’t always easy, and I’m learning to be okay with that.

When traditional school is right for one kid and homeschooling works best for another, back-to-school season can look really different. There’s plenty of room for all the options in a happy homeschool life, Carrie discovered.

Studying literature is a lot like being a detective — you’re looking for clues, hints, and details that reveal a bigger story. That’s why a high school detective fiction unit can be a great addition to your homeschool plan — and, bonus, reading detective stories is also a lot of fun. These are some of Suzanne’s favorites.

Learning together has become our family culture, and I imagine our shared education will extend far beyond their graduation. I look forward to the lessons they have in store for me. There’s so much to see from the passenger seat.

Instead of trying to be an authority who has all the answers, I get to learn with my kids and be surprised alongside them. In the process, I get to show my kids what learning looks like, in all its messy glory.

Self-care is an essential part of the homeschool equation for secular homeschool moms, and you’re going to have to be deliberate about fitting it into your days.