This new homeschool year has already been one of the most unpredictable and “crazy” ones for our family. The stakes are changing. My son is 12 years old, and while he’s technically in 8th grade, he’s also working through pieces of high school curriculum. That means I’m now carefully keeping stronger records, deciding what deserves high school credit, and making sure not to overload or pad his transcripts. It’s a balancing act pushing forward without rushing him.
August has always been our “soft start” month, but this year I pushed the official count to September. That gave us room to breathe, explore, and transition into our rhythm. We kicked off with interest-led history, coding, and continuing Algebra 1. Later in the month, Honors Biology came into the mix, along with Outschool classes in law, history, literature, and science. We tried new extracurriculars like archery, swimming, community service, and golf, while also carving out time for field trips and family connection.
But here’s what I’ve learned: none of that works unless we prioritize self-care, mental healthy and relationships. That’s what holds everything together.
Hidden Stressors Our Kids Carry
When we think of stress, we often picture adults juggling bills, jobs, and family responsibilities. But our pre-teens and teens carry their own burdens many of which stay hidden. For some, it’s the pressure of transitioning into harder academics. For others, it’s navigating friendships, body changes, or the social expectations that come with growing up.
For Black and Brown children, there can be added stressors cultural identity, navigating stereotypes, and feeling unseen in certain environments. And while every child faces challenges, these unique pressures should not be ignored. At the same time, all children no matter their background need safe spaces where they can breathe, be heard, and just be kids.
Helping Pre-Teens and Teens Handle Stress
One of the best things I did this year was sit down with my son and ask him directly what was stressing him out. Kids don’t always volunteer this information, but once they feel safe, they’ll open up. Together, we made some adjustments:
- Clear timelines. All assignments are due by Friday at 3 p.m. No hovering every day. No nagging. Just a rhythm he can depend on.
- Weekly check-ins. Every Sunday, we spend 30 minutes going over the week ahead. If something looks heavy, we adjust.
- Looping lessons. Instead of forcing every subject every day, we loop them for variety and less overwhelm.
- End-of-day check-ins. These became one of the highlights of our homeschool. A chance to reflect, connect, and reset.
For personal self-care, my son asked for more downtime in the evenings. We turned his room into a sanctuary gamer theme, collectibles, cozy lights, and even a mini fridge stocked with healthy snacks. He loves his essential oils diffuser, tea lights, and a space where he feels in control. These small changes have given him peace and independence.
Setting Boundaries as a Family
Another big shift we made this year was around screen time and boundaries for all of us, not just my son. Together, we created a homeschool agreement that spelled out expectations for the whole family. Because we wrote it as a family, we’re all holding each other accountable.
And let me tell you, my son is serious about keeping me on track. If I slip, he’ll shut my laptop and remind me that my phone belongs upstairs in my bedroom. I’ve also turned off my social media notifications so I can stay present. Dad has his boundaries too we agreed as a family to respect our homeschool time during the day.
On my side, I rearranged my online teaching schedule to match what works best for us. I also made sure my classes never overlap with his online classes. That way, he knows he’s the priority, and I’m modeling what it looks like to set healthy boundaries.
Self-Care for Mom
As moms, we carry so much—planning, teaching, homemaking, and guiding. But pouring from an empty cup is not sustainable. For me, self-care isn’t optional; it’s survival.
Here’s what that looks like in my day-to-day:
- Morning tea and quiet reflection. Before the house wakes up, I sip tea, read my Quran, and center myself.
- Nightly brain dump. I write everything down before bed so my mind can rest.
- Pampering routines. My new shower routine feels indulgent, but it’s also grounding.
- Fresh air breaks. When the weather cools, I plan to spend more time on the porch with tea in hand.
- Reading for joy. Not just audiobooks while multitasking, but truly reading, laughing, and enjoying stories.
- Creative outlets. Journaling, scrapbooking, and planning bring me peace and creativity.
- Music Playlist. I created a “Mental Reset” playlist on Amazon Music, so everyone in my house knows when they hear me ask Alexa to play it…..Mom needs some space.
- Declare 1 hour of mom time daily!!!!!
Self-care doesn’t need to be extravagant it just needs to be intentional. Even one small change can bring more harmony into the home.
Level Up & Legacy Talks
One of the best new traditions we started is our Level Up & Legacy Talks. During this time, we read books like Letters to a Young Brother by Hill Harper, talk about culture, mindset, and growing up, and check in with each other. My son calls it his favorite part of the week. These talks are helping him build confidence, identity, and vision for his future. We a few books we are going to rotate through, but we are starting with this one and will move on to a new one soon.
And this year, we’re including Dad more too. When he’s available, he joins our homeschool day for Socratic conversations. It’s been powerful for all of us.
Why This Year Feels Different
We’re still sticking with a few Oak Meadow Grade 8 its we are wrapping up, but we’ve added in their Personal Finance and Geography courses. Last year, my son loved Oak Meadow Civics, and this year we’re wrapping up what we didn’t finish. Balancing 8th grade with some high school-level work feels new and intense.
Homeschool Kids Aren’t Social?
I wish whoever started this rumor would go somewhere and have several seats. My kid is beyond socialized he keeps my planner filled with all his activities and events. He may not be “scheduled” in the traditional sense, but I’ll say this I actually have to send his dad a monthly itinerary just to keep track of everything!
For this upcoming year alone, he’s been invited to join Junior Beta and a formal Debate Team. Our homeschool co-op will be packed with fun and adventures, and come November, he’ll officially be part of the Teen Collective he’s counting down the days! He’s also joining the Homeschool Honor Society and has received formal mentorship invitations from both Georgia Tech and UGA.
On top of that, we’ve got two big trips planned in October and December, and in January we may be heading to Rome, Italy, to present at the same conference we spoke at earlier this year.
That’s why self-care for both of us has become a top priority. Stay tuned for our full 2025–2026 Homeschool Curriculum line-up; we’ve got a few surprises in store!!
The Power of Meal Planning
Another form of self-care? Meal planning. It may not sound glamorous, but freeing up that mental energy makes a big difference. Our simple routine looks like this:
- Monday – Leftovers
- Tuesday – Tacos
- Wednesday – Leftovers
- Thursday – Light (salads, sandwiches)
- Friday – Pizza Night
- Saturday – Leftovers or Light
- Sunday – Big dinner (enough for Monday too)
This routine saves me time, energy, and stress. Even if you only meal prep every other week, it can bring breathing room into your homeschool.
Nobody’s Perfect—And That’s Okay
Homeschooling isn’t about perfection. It’s about finding what works for your family, making small adjustments, and showing up with love. We’re all trying to do what’s best for our kids. Some days will be smooth. Some will be messy. And that’s okay.
A Closing Word for Fellow Moms
This year has already been full of lessons, but the biggest one is this: prioritize your relationships and your well-being just as much as the academics. Because when our kids feel supported and we feel centered, the learning flows more naturally.
To all the homeschool moms reading this I invite you to pause, reflect, and think about what small changes could bring more harmony to your homeschool. Maybe it’s a nightly check-in, a personal self-care ritual, or a simple meal plan. Whatever it is, embrace it. Our families don’t need perfection; they need presence. Here’s to a school year filled with growth, connection, and peace.
Little Learner and Mom 