Before I can offer my children an education rich in atmosphere, discipline, and life, I have to begin with myself. As a homeschooling mom drawn to Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, I’ve come to see that the tone of our home, the habits we form, and the ideas we engage with start in my own heart and mind. In this post, I share how I’m preparing for the new school year—not by finalizing curriculum first, but by shaping the environment within me. From prayer and habit-building to reading widely and pursuing my own education, here’s how I’m learning that homeschooling begins with me.

As a homeschooling mom, I’m learning to walk the line between nurturing my children’s curiosity and resisting the urge to rush into formal lessons. While I once prioritized early reading milestones, I’ve come to see the value in slowing down—focusing also on play, nature, and everyday learning. This post explores how this homeschooling mom is navigating polarizing views and research on when children should begin formal lessons, while still fostering a love for reading as readiness and interest emerge.

At first, play didn’t come easily. The girls begged for TV, claimed boredom, and looked to me for direction. But the less I intervened, the more they problem-solved, communicated, and created on their own. I had to unlearn my impulse to structure every moment—because real learning was already happening. From building stronger structures to sketching observations and mastering train track connections, they were growing through play. Doing less didn’t mean disengaging; it meant observing more, guiding gently, and trusting the process.

Modern parenting often feels like a carpenter’s task—carefully shaping a child into a specific outcome. But what if we approached it like a gardener instead - according to Alison Gopnik? Creating an environment for curiosity, exploration, and play to flourish? Gopnik’s insights challenged me to step back, observe more, and trust my children’s natural learning process. Whether through watching, listening, or imaginative play, they are constantly growing—and so am I.

Research is crucial to me, but so is efficiency—especially when balancing homeschooling with a full-time job and family life. While platforms like Google, YouTube, and Pinterest provided inspiration, they didn’t offer the structured starting point I needed. That’s where generative AI, specifically the free version of ChatGPT, became invaluable.

I use AI as a tool—not a replacement for books, experience, or expert advice—but as a way to streamline research and refine my approach. Here are 3 key prompts helped start our homeschooling journey