Homeschool Life & Lessons | A Blog from a Mom Who’s Been There
Welcome to Homeschool Life & Lessons, a blog created by a veteran homeschool mom who has walked the full journey—from kindergarten through high school graduation. I’m Kristi, and I’m here to share real stories, practical tips, and heartfelt encouragement drawn from 17 years of homeschooling my three sons. Whether you’re just getting started or navigating the challenges of the middle and high school years, this blog is a place for support, perspective, and honest conversations. From curriculum choices and homeschool routines to dealing with burnout and celebrating milestones, my hope is that you’ll find wisdom, laughter, and connection here. You’re not doing this alone—pull up a chair and let’s walk this road together.
Leaving a Homeschool Legacy | What Will Our Children Remember?
I’ve spent many quiet mornings sipping coffee and flipping through old lesson plans, artwork, and well-loved books from past homeschool years. The handwriting has changed, the stories have grown deeper, and so have the children I once taught.
Now that all three of mine have graduated, I’ve been asking myself :
What will they actually remember from all of this?
Not the spelling lists or the math facts…
But the legacy.
When Strength Fails, Grace Sustains | My Health Journey Through Homeschooling and an Emergency Hysterectomy
I never imagined I’d be standing alone in my bathroom, shaking uncontrollably, phone in hand, calling 911 for myself—while also wrapping up a full homeschool year. But that’s where I found myself not long ago, hemorrhaging and scared… and still a homeschool mom determined to finish strong.
What followed was an emergency hysterectomy, 10 weeks of recovery, and one of the most physically and spiritually intense seasons of my life.
This is the story of how God’s grace met me in my weakness—and how the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling made it possible to continue on, even when my body was breaking down.
One Mom, Many Grades | 5 Grace-Filled Tips for Homeschooling Multiple Ages at Once
Homeschooling is a calling—and when you’re doing it with multiple kids in different grades at the same time, it can feel like a juggling act with no intermission. If you’ve ever had one child sounding out CVC words while another wrestles with fractions and a toddler tries to crawl across the kitchen table… you are not alone.
I’ve been there. I homeschooled three boys, each just a year apart in age. And yes, it was a challenge—but it was also an incredible blessing.
I learned a lot in those years—how to simplify, how to stretch, how to lead with grace, and how to trust God in the chaos. In the end, my middle-born son worked ahead of schedule, eventually completing the same curriculum as his older brother and graduating early.
If you're wondering how on earth to homeschool multiple ages, here are 5 warm, practical, and faith-filled tips that helped us thrive.
Pouring From an Empty Cup | Nurturing Your Soul as a Homeschool Mom
Homeschooling is a calling filled with purpose, but it can also be one of the most demanding roles a mother carries. Between teaching lessons, managing meals, keeping up with the home, and nurturing your children’s hearts—it's easy to overlook one very important person: you.
As Christian homeschool moms, we’re often so focused on pouring into our families that we forget the importance of refueling our own hearts. But here’s the truth: you can’t pour from an empty cup. When you neglect your own spiritual and physical health, burnout, resentment, and weariness creep in—and everything you’re trying to build starts to suffer.
Praying Through the Journey | The Importance of Prayer in Homeschooling
Homeschooling is more than just lesson plans, math worksheets, and reading lists—it’s a deeply personal, spiritual calling that requires wisdom, patience, and strength that only God can provide. As Christian homeschool moms, we often find ourselves juggling multiple roles—teacher, homemaker, nurturer, and discipler. And while there are countless curriculums and schedules to help us organize our days, there is one foundational habit that anchors it all: prayer.
Prayer is the heartbeat of a thriving homeschool. It invites God into the ordinary moments of learning, the overwhelming days of discouragement, and the beautiful victories of growth. Whether you’re homeschooling toddlers or teenagers, incorporating intentional prayer into your routine is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen your family, build your faith, and lead with grace.
Christian Homeschool Morning Basket Ideas
Homeschool mornings can easily set the tone for the entire day. Starting your homeschool day with a peaceful, Christ-centered morning basket creates a gentle rhythm that nurtures both hearts and minds. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschool mom or just starting your journey, a morning basket can transform your homeschool routine into a beautiful time of connection, discipleship, and learning.
In this post, we’ll explore Christian homeschool morning basket ideas to help you create a purposeful, grace-filled start to your day.
How to Prevent Burnout as a Homeschool Mom
Homeschooling is a beautiful calling — but it’s also demanding. Between teaching multiple subjects, managing your home, caring for your children, and meeting family needs, it’s easy for homeschool moms to feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and discouraged.
If you’re starting to feel like you’re running on empty, you’re not alone.
Homeschool mom burnout is real — but it’s also preventable.
The good news is: God never intended for you to homeschool in your own strength. With intentional rhythms, practical habits, and grace-filled perspective, you can prevent burnout and continue homeschooling with joy.
10 Ways to Build Rest Into Your Homeschool Day
Homeschooling offers so many beautiful freedoms — but with that freedom often comes the temptation to fill every moment with lessons, activities, and tasks. Over time, this can lead to burnout for both the parent and the child. The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice learning in order to prioritize rest. In fact, rest is a vital part of a healthy, thriving homeschool!
Let’s explore 10 practical ways you can intentionally build rest into your homeschool day and create a peaceful, sustainable rhythm for your family.
Balancing Homeschool and Motherhood with Grace
Homeschooling is a beautiful calling — but let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming at times. As homeschool moms, we’re not just teaching math and reading; we’re also managing households, preparing meals, nurturing hearts, and guiding spiritual growth — all while trying to care for ourselves in the process.
Balancing homeschool and motherhood with grace is not about achieving perfection. It’s about learning to lean on God, embrace flexibility, and create rhythms that nurture both your children’s education and your own well-being.
In this post, we’ll explore practical tips, encouraging truths, and faith-filled reminders to help you thrive in your dual role as a homeschool mom and mother.
3 Things I’d Do Differently in Our Homeschool Journey
The choices we make, and the experiences we face shape us into the people that we become. And yet, like many people, I often look back on certain seasons or moments in my life and wish I could change it somehow. Homeschooling is one of those seasons that I often reflect upon. I would NEVER change our decision to homeschool, given the chance. I would, however, do things a bit differently…..