Voice Notes from the Organized Homeschool

You might picture a former special education teacher running her homeschool by the clock. Rachel Zera’s kids play all morning and start lessons when they’re ready, and her oldest sometimes finishes two or three days of work in one sitting.In this episode, I chat with Rachel Zera, a former special education teacher with a master’s in autism spectrum disorder. She now homeschools her three kids in Mississippi while tutoring and running her own business, Peacefully Busy. Rachel shares why she wouldn’t send her kids somewhere she no longer wanted to work herself, the folder-and-clipboard system that keeps a flexible homeschool on track, and why rigor belongs right next to freedom.You’ll hear:* Why, after 13 years in special education, Rachel decided she wouldn’t send her kids into a school setting she no longer wanted to be in as a paid adult* The new-toy test: how watching your child figure out a new toy shows you how they learn best* Her weekly folder-and-clipboard system, which lets kids work ahead without anyone losing track of where they left off* The four things she weighs before recommending any curriculum, and why she dropped the first one she bought within three weeks* What rigor actually means at home, and why reciting facts isn’t the same as understanding them* Why lessons in her house start after lunch, and how a four-day week with “Friday Fun Day” keeps learning flexible✨ If you’ve ever wondered whether a flexible homeschool can also be a rigorous one, this conversation is for you.About Rachel Zera:Former special education teacher, I have a bachelors in elementary and special education, and a master in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Left the classroom after having my daughter and now I privately tutor and homeschool our 3 kiddos.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & meet Rachel00:37 – 13 years in special education across five states02:20 – Leaving the classroom after her daughter was born05:49 – Fighting red tape for her students08:03 – Why send kids where she didn’t want to be?09:59 – Every child learns at their own pace13:50 – Lessons after lunch & open-ended mornings15:45 – Four-day weeks & Friday Fun Day19:17 – Letting go of rigid routines21:27 – Peacefully Busy: from Play-Doh kits to homeschool mentorship23:28 – Pacing the year & the weekly folder system27:25 – Why one page at a time beats a thick workbook28:48 – A “mad scientist” with curriculum: what each kid uses31:57 – Teach how your child learns, not how you want to teach34:21 – The new-toy test for learning styles36:11 – Free quizzes for learning styles & curriculum fit40:04 – Four things to weigh before buying curriculum41:47 – The curriculum she dropped in three weeks45:28 – What rigor really means (and doesn’t)51:45 – Rachel’s advice: remember your why54:08 – Where to find RachelResources & Links Mentioned:* Connect with Rachel on Instagram: @peacefullybusy* Rachel’s website, with her learning-style quiz (in the Homeschool Hive) and curriculum-fit quiz (under the Support tab): link needed* My Father’s World: mfwbooks.com* Heggerty Primary Phonemic Awareness Curriculum: Heggerty* Handwriting Without Tears: Learning Without Tears* Math-U-See: mathusee.com* Dimensions Math: Singapore Math* Gather ‘Round Homeschool: gatherroundhomeschool.com* The Good and the Beautiful: goodandbeautiful.com* All About Reading: All About Learning Press* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com

Joy Golden never set foot in a public school until she was hired to work in one. Five years of teaching made her more certain of what she’d always believed: her own kids would learn at home.In this episode, I chat with Joy Golden, a former third grade public school teacher and homeschool mom of two little ones. She grew up unschooled, homeschooled, cyber schooled, and privately schooled. Joy talks about the classroom moments that made her decision to homeschool final, why she sees public education as flawed rather than broken, and how her iceberg framework shows everything hiding under a struggling writer’s page.You’ll hear:* The intruder drill with a carpet full of wide-eyed third graders that sent Joy home in tears, and the student she wished she could take on a picnic* Why Joy calls public education “flawed, not broken,” and what an overflowing sink has to do with it* How reading groups and grade-level bars teach kids who’s “smart,” and why that sense of “should” follows them into adulthood* What she’s keeping from early elementary classrooms: rhythm, soft starts, calendar time, and getting dressed for the job* Simple shifts for struggling writers: dictate first and copy later, pick one goal per task, and stop piling writing on top of math* Her answers to the three doubts that hold parents back from homeschooling: qualification, socialization, and actually making it happen✨ Whether you’re a former teacher or have a reluctant writer at your kitchen table, this conversation is full of hard-won perspective and practical next steps.About Joy Golden:I am the Managing Partner of a small nonprofit— but that really just means I am a Stay-At-Home homeschool mom of 2. I have a diverse educational background (homeschool/unschool/truant & private school… it’s a long story). I left public education to be with my kids & I work from home as an educational strategist. I virtually support new PreK-4th grade homeschool families to get clarity & structure their home education program in a way that works for their individual lifestyle, children & goals. I also support families with struggling writers.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & meet Joy01:28 – Unschooled, homeschooled, cyber schooled & private schooled10:42 – Feeling “behind” as a kid & realizing she was smart in college14:28 – Why Joy homeschools & why she got her teaching degree19:17 – The intruder drill that stayed with her21:40 – When “everybody gets to learn” isn’t the reality23:46 – Kids with trauma & compliance disguised as support29:28 – Is there a fix? Flawed vs. broken & the overflowing sink39:34 – Joy’s homeschool now & the vision of always learning45:48 – What she’d borrow from classrooms: rhythm, soft starts & repetition48:55 – Getting dressed for the job & homeschooling with intention58:17 – Benchmarks, reading groups & the weight of “should”1:03:03 – Little geniuses & the kid who’d rather rebuild an engine1:06:08 – Growth mindset vs. a system built on grades1:15:13 – Why her third graders didn’t love writing & the writing iceberg1:17:49 – Dictate, then copy: help for a reluctant writer1:19:22 – Resistance isn’t laziness: pick one goal per task1:22:10 – Copy work, modeling & the “translation leaps”1:25:13 – Why writing during math makes kids shut down1:29:20 – Three doubts: qualification, socialization & making it happen1:36:58 – “Do less better,” where to find Joy & a listener offerResources & Links Mentioned:* Connect with Joy on Instagram: @thejoygolden* Joy’s free Writing Snapshot: link in her Instagram bio* Listener offer: the first five people to DM Joy on Instagram and mention this podcast get a free 40-minute Zoom writing consultation* When You Wonder, You’re Learning by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski: Hachette Book Group* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com

She spent a full year supporting homeschool families before she homeschooled her own kids. By the time she started, she had already built a network of tutors, classes, and resources.In this episode, I chat with Margie Figueroa, a former public school teacher and reading instructional coach in South Florida who now homeschools her 15-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son while running her own online tutoring and homeschool consulting business. Margie shares why she and her husband decided to homeschool after watching their kids lose their love of learning, how she framed the move differently for each child, and why she sees outsourcing as a further step in personalizing your child’s education.You’ll hear:* Why she and her husband decided to homeschool after watching schoolwork become a checkbox, with much of what their kids learned being how to take a test* How a year spent supporting other homeschool families, before homeschooling her own, built the network of resources she later used for her own kids, without her meaning to* The different case she made to each child: no more honor roll pressure for her high-achieving daughter, and freedom to move for her son with ADHD, who was above grade level but always in trouble for being himself* Why outsourcing isn’t failing, and why she handed writing to another tutor so her reluctant writer wouldn’t reject the subject just because Mom was teaching it* Her two-part filter for choosing who to outsource to, and why the best fit doesn’t always have a teaching degree* What Florida’s testing load looked like from both sides, as a teacher and as a mom, and why she’s not against assessments, just against building a whole education around them✨ Listen in if you’ve ever felt like outsourcing means you’re failing as a homeschool parent. Margie makes a strong case for letting go of that stigma.About Margie Figueroa:Margie is a former public school educator and instructional coach. She is now a homeschool mom of 2 and continues to work in education as a homeschool consultant and online tutor.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & meet Margie00:49 – From teacher to reading coach to business owner03:54 – Why they chose to homeschool05:06 – A year of prep before homeschooling her own kids05:59 – How she talked to her daughter about homeschooling07:24 – Freedom to move for her son10:01 – What she saw as a teacher and coach15:24 – A system problem, not a people problem16:26 – Their eclectic homeschool approach18:14 – Outsourcing writing for a reluctant writer19:05 – Novel studies and enjoying reading again20:25 – Science, geography, and staying active22:32 – Starting dual enrollment at 1528:28 – Homeschool mom, business owner, house manager29:10 – Building a homeschool network before day one32:08 – Why outsourcing isn’t failing34:14 – Trust and expertise: how she chooses39:33 – Florida’s testing load, by the numbers45:35 – The fish, the tree, and assessments50:16 – From “I have to” to “I get to”52:35 – Where to find MargieResources & Links Mentioned:* Connect with Margie on Instagram: @funshine_edu* Email Margie: [email protected]* Dimensions Math by Singapore Math: singaporemath.com* Florida Virtual School: flvs.net* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com

One December, Katie Doughty set aside math, language arts, writing, and everything else on the schedule for almost three weeks. Her kids came out of it with about 50 comfort kits for people experiencing homelessness, and Katie came out of it seeing learning differently.In this episode, I chat with Katie Doughty, a former first and second grade teacher in Seattle who is heading into her sixth year of homeschooling her two kids, ages 10 and 13. Katie shares how a temporary COVID plan turned into a way of life, why being a teacher meant more unlearning than people expect, and how her KIND method turns any topic, from dogs to civil rights, into a kid-friendly service project.You’ll hear:* Why “permission to pivot” is the most helpful thing she’s learned as a homeschool mom, and the shiny object trap she still has to watch for* The Yellowstone road trip moment when she realized homeschool could be so much bigger than school at home* How “planning from behind,” an idea from Brave Writer’s Julie Bogart, helped her see how much learning was hiding in a simple grocery run* The advice from one of her professors in teacher training that still shapes her homeschool: don’t do what your kids can do* Her KIND method (Know, Inquire, Noodle, Do), and how her dog-loving daughter ended up sewing tug toys for a local shelter* Why she thinks community service gets a bad rap, and how she’s working to flip that narrative for kids✨ If you’ve ever worried about falling behind when you set the curriculum aside, Katie’s stories will show you just how much learning happens when you do.About Katie Doughty:I am a former elementary teacher now homeschooling my two kids. I love writing books, creating service projects for kids, and learning through travel. When I’m not in mom-mode I’m playing in a steel drum band.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & meet Katie00:45 – From classroom teacher to COVID homeschooler03:31 – Bringing the classroom home to the basement05:23 – The Yellowstone trip that changed everything07:20 – Why former teachers have so much to unlearn08:16 – Permission to pivot (and the shiny object trap)14:27 – Planning from behind with Brave Writer15:48 – Setting aside the curriculum for a service project19:17 – Weaving learning into everyday family life21:28 – A typical week: classes, nature class, and Field Trip Fridays25:37 – The teacher rule she still uses at home29:00 – Secret Scrap: a classroom cleanup game at home29:58 – Why she brings community service into homeschool31:23 – The KIND method: Know, Inquire, Noodle, Do34:05 – Starting hard conversations with picture books37:07 – Why community service gets a bad rap37:32 – Her guides and the Soulcial Studies library39:31 – Doing it messy while building something of your own42:25 – Her biggest advice: you do you43:43 – Where to find KatieResources & Links Mentioned:* Connect with Katie on Instagram: @teamkindhumans* Katie’s website, KIND method guides, and email list: teamkindhumans.com* Kind Classroom: kindclassroom.com (Use code organized20 for 20% off anything in the Kind Classroom)* Listen to Katie’s podcast, Raising Kind Humans: Apple or Spotify* Brave Writer, founded by Julie Bogart* Babies of Homelessness* Homeward Pet Adoption Center* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com

Everyone assumed homeschooling would come easy to a teacher with ten years in the classroom. Jennifer Doddington says it was harder than teaching — because first she had to learn how to stop being a teacher.In this episode, I chat with Jennifer Doddington, a former public school teacher of ten years with a gifted endorsement, now heading into her fifth year homeschooling her three children. Jennifer walks through the two situations that made her and her husband stop and reconsider — a middle son whose IEP services kept slipping through the cracks, and an oldest son who had quietly carried years of bullying — and the deschooling year that followed. She also shares what teaching gifted students taught her about depth over volume, why she now curates curriculum instead of following one, and how she answers parents who say they aren’t qualified enough to teach their own kids.You’ll hear:* Why becoming a homeschool mom was harder than teaching — and the one thing she didn’t know how to do, which was stop being a teacher* The two breaking points: going to administration two or three times a week to fight for her son’s IEP services, and discovering her third grader had been hiding years of bullying* Why gifted learners don’t need more worksheets — and what project-based learning looked like when her class built a plan for living on Mars* The question she stopped asking (”How do I teach my children?”) and the one she started asking instead* Why she calls herself a curriculum curator rather than a curriculum follower, including the subject she outsourced to a tutor* Her honest answer on whether former teachers have an advantage — she says they have more to unlearn than anyone✨ Listen in if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re qualified enough to homeschool — Jennifer has a clear answer, and it has nothing to do with a teaching degree.About Jennifer Doddington:Hi! I’m Jennifer, a former classroom teacher turned homeschool mom of three. After spending years inside the traditional education system, God began changing my heart and showing me that learning could look very different than what I had always believed. Homeschooling wasn’t just a change in schooling for our family, it was a journey of unlearning fear, performance, and the idea that every child has to fit the same mold.Today, our homeschool is faith-centered, flexible, and built around curiosity, real-life learning, and each child’s individual strengths. We spend time outdoors, learn through experiences, and believe education is about raising whole people, not just checking boxes.I’d especially love to talk about making the transition from classroom teacher to homeschool mom because I know how difficult it can be to let go of the “school at home” mindset. I’d also love to encourage parents who feel like they aren’t qualified enough, helping them see that they don’t have to recreate public school in their living room to give their children an incredible education. My heart is to help families homeschool with confidence, freedom, and faith.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & meet Jennifer00:32 – Ten years in the classroom02:09 – The gifted endorsement disappointment08:58 – Advocating for her son’s IEP services10:34 – Discovering the bullying12:20 – A different question about childhood14:40 – What gifted learners actually need15:57 – Project-based learning and the Mars unit23:16 – Why it was harder than teaching, and what she had to unlearn25:25 – The question that changed everything25:54 – Deschooling their first year28:09 – A nervous first year, then confidence30:31 – Advice for teachers who want to homeschool37:07 – How their homeschool has evolved39:14 – Curating curriculum instead of following one42:38 – Enrichment classes and the hiking group46:58 – Advice for parents who aren’t teachers50:41 – Do former teachers have an advantage?53:21 – Rethinking socialization1:04:00 – The freedom that brings her joy1:06:45 – Where to connect with JenniferResources & Links Mentioned:* Connect with Jennifer on Instagram: @Free to Teach Them* Jennifer’s Substack (faith, homeschooling, and raising lifelong learners): @Free to Teach Them * Rooted and Called: Growing in Faith While Raising Lifelong Learners, book by Jennifer Doddington* CrunchLabs / Mark Rober Build Boxes: crunchlabs.com* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com

Every summer, before her kids open a single book, Keisha spends weeks planning lessons she won’t teach for months — because once the school year starts, there’s no time to plan as she goes.In this episode, I chat with Keisha, a full-time high school teacher in Brooklyn, NY and homeschooling mom of two — a rising 5th grader and a rising 9th grader. Keisha shares how a rough first grade year led her to pull her son out and never look back, how she runs two completely different homeschool systems for two completely different kids while working full-time, and why her years in a public school classroom have made her less worried about tackling high school at home, not more. We also get into the AI chaos she’s navigating with her own students, and the two apps she built from scratch to make her own homeschool life easier.You’ll hear:* Why a routine worksheet meltdown told her everything she needed to know about pulling her son out of school* Her “spicy soapbox” on why the 45-minute bell schedule kills curiosity — and turns learning into a transaction for grades* The AI chaos she’s fighting in her own classroom, including one worksheet answer that gave a student away instantly* The two homeschool apps she built from scratch — including a record keeper that only tracks the “glows,” never the “grows”* How she runs two completely different systems just to keep a 5th grader and a 9th grader on track while working full time* Why her family’s approach to screen time isn’t about limits — it’s about whether her kids are creating or just consuming✨ If you’ve ever wondered whether you can really homeschool while working full-time, Keisha’s systems (and her sense of humor about all of it) are proof that it’s possible.About Keisha:I’m a full time high school teacher. I also homeschool my 2 kids ( rising 5th grader and rising 9th grader). I lost my husband 7 years ago so we’ve been adjusting ever since. I started homeschooling my youngest first but always knew I’d homeschool for at least middle school. Homeschooling in Brooklyn, NY is definitely an adventure.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & meet Keisha00:45 – Meet Keisha: full-time teacher, homeschool mom, and sole provider02:48 – Why she always planned to homeschool — and how lockdown changed the timeline08:45 – The worksheet moment that led her to pull her son from first grade12:53 – A day in the life: teaching full-time while homeschooling two kids16:24 – Her “spicy soapbox” on school, curiosity, and grades26:03 – How teaching and homeschooling do (and don’t) influence each other35:29 – Her planning system: paper, chunks, and an erasable pen43:49 – Balance, boundaries, and the phone-case trick that keeps work at work49:12 – Meal planning on autopilot: pizza Tuesdays and fend-for-yourself Fridays58:37 – The Homeschool Toolbox: the apps she built for record-keeping and transcripts1:06:54 – Technology in the classroom vs. technology at home1:20:14 – Homeschooling — and finding community — in Brooklyn1:27:41 – What’s bringing her joy right now1:31:30 – Where to find KeishaResources & Links Mentioned:* Connect with Keisha on Instagram: A Tale of Changes* Homeschool Toolbox (Record Keeper, Transcript Generator & Course Description Builder): toolbox.ataleofchanges.com* Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto: Amazon* The Good and the Beautiful (math & language arts curriculum): goodandbeautiful.com* Oak Meadow (curriculum): oakmeadow.com* Writing & Rhetoric (Classical Academic Press): classicalacademicpress.com* Lightning Literature & Composition (Hewitt Homeschooling): hewitthomeschooling.com* Brave Writer: bravewriter.com* Gobble (meal kit service): gobble.com* Feast & Fettle (prepared meal delivery): feastandfettle.com* iFLY Indoor Skydiving (field trip for her daughter’s physics unit): iflyworld.com* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com

Morgan Farr wasn’t diagnosed with autism until she was already deep into motherhood — and it reshaped how she built her entire homeschool.In this episode, I chat with Morgan Farr, an Army wife of thirteen years, homeschool mom of four, and founder of Dog-Eared Press, currently stationed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Morgan shares the backwards-planning philosophy her homeschooled husband’s family passed down to her, the honest story of homeschooling four kids under five with zero support during COVID, and the rotation-based systems that keep her family on track through constant military moves. She also opens up about her adult autism diagnosis and shares why she still makes room for her own passions — from working dog advocacy to two side businesses, alongside a full homeschool day.You’ll hear:* Why “playing the video back” — the backwards-planning philosophy Morgan learned from her second-generation homeschool in-laws — shapes how she’s guiding her son toward becoming a librarian* The honest story of homeschooling four kids, five and under, during COVID with her husband in residency and zero support — and how her adult autism diagnosis reshaped how she mothers* Her go-to military-move hack: naming your homeschool and labeling your moving boxes with it* Inside her rotation-based daily rhythm and how her Excel spreadsheet keeps four kids’ non-negotiables straight* Why she runs school year-round and schools through hotel stays mid-PCS instead of waiting for a “normal” start* Her advice to homeschool the kids you have — and why she still protects time for her own passions, like working dog advocacy, outside of “homeschool mom”✨ Whether you’re a military family or just craving more structure, Morgan’s systems — and her permission to let go of the ones that don’t work — are worth the listen.About Morgan Farr:Morgan Farr is a homeschooling mother of four, educator, and writer who is passionate about helping families engage with history, literature, and civic life in meaningful ways. As the founder of Dog-Eared Press, she creates practical, literature-rich learning resources designed for real homeschool families. When she isn’t homeschooling, Morgan works in the fields of working dog history, service animal advocacy, and canine welfare through her writing, design, and educational outreach. A military spouse of thirteen years and a Master of Education candidate, Morgan brings structure, curiosity, and a love of lifelong learning to everything she does.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & meet Morgan00:29 – Meet the Farr family & why they homeschool03:28 – “Play the video back”: backwards planning from her in-laws06:27 – Treating homeschool like a full-time job10:15 – Morgan’s background before homeschooling11:51 – Pro tip: naming your homeschool boxes for military moves12:26 – Becoming a mom of four in five years & her autism diagnosis14:19 – Homeschooling four littles during COVID with zero support17:01 – Morning and music rotations explained24:43 – A full day in the Farr homeschool, start to finish31:01 – Homeschooling through military moves & PCS33:07 – Reinventing your homeschool community every two years36:20 – Homeschool the kids you have, not the highlight reel38:21 – Curriculum choices: Saxon, IEW, Sabbath Mood Homeschool, and more41:18 – Unit studies and how Dog-Eared Press was born46:53 – Running two businesses: Dog-Eared Press & Canine Advancement Group47:54 – Grad school, boundaries, and protecting family time53:09 – Planning with spreadsheets: non-negotiables first57:20 – What’s bringing Morgan joy right now58:49 – Final advice: homeschool your kids, and don’t lose yourselfResources & Links Mentioned:* Connect with Morgan on Instagram: @morgandfarrauthor * Dog-Eared Press (homeschool unit studies) on Instagram: @yourdogearedpress | Shop: dog-eared-press.myshopify.com * Canine Advancement Group on Instagram: @canineadvancementgroup * Military Working Dog Heritage Museum (where Morgan volunteers): @mwdheritagemuseum * National Service Animals Monument: https://nationalserviceanimalsmemorial.org* Sabbath Mood Homeschool (science curriculum): sabbathmoodhomeschool.com * Little School of Smiths (American Girl history units): littleschoolofsmiths.com * Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW): iew.com * Saxon Math: christianbook.com/page/homeschool/math/saxon-math * Learning Without Tears (Handwriting/Keyboarding Without Tears): learningwithouttears.com * Brave Writer: bravewriter.com* Miacademy: miacademy.co * Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper: Simon & Schuster* History Smashers: The American Revolution by Kate Messner: Penguin Random HouseConnect with Erica Harrell | The Organized Homeschool* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool * Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com

After six years of homeschooling four kids, why did Stacey Al Hassani decide her son needed to go back to a traditional classroom?In this episode, I chat with Stacey Al Hassani, a British expat and homeschool mom of three in Dubai, six years into a homeschool journey that started almost by accident during COVID. Stacey opens up about the honest story behind her eldest son’s return to traditional school, why she switched her family from a rigid British curriculum to a more flexible American one, and how she’s learned to outsource what doesn’t play to her strengths — from math and Arabic tutors to a writing curriculum she credits with transforming her kids’ work. She also shares the years-long mental shift it took to stop measuring her homeschool against the traditional system, and what socialization really looks like for a homeschooling family living abroad.You’ll hear:● Why Stacey’s eldest son ultimately went back to traditional school — and the signs that told her and her husband it was time● The homeschool philosophy that means she’ll make a change the moment something stops working academically, socially, or mentally● Why she outsources math and Arabic to tutors 100% — and reframes the cost as saving, not spending● How switching from a rigid British curriculum to a flexible American one changed what learning looked like for her family● The writing curriculum she’s used for three years and credits with transforming her kids’ writing and confidence● What socialization actually looks like when you’re homeschooling far from extended family, in “swings and roundabouts”✨ If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s okay to homeschool one child and send another to school, Stacey’s story is proof there’s no single right way to do it.About Stacey Al Hassani:Homeschool mom of 6 years. Started with 4 children, now with 3 as my eldest went back to school for his GCSEs. I’ve tried many approaches and I evaluate regularly what is working and what’s not and share advice for those just starting out or feeling overwhelmed. Based in Dubai, I document our homeschool journey on Instagram (@homeschool_with_stacey), from curriculum decisions to the honest, messy moments in between.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & meet Stacey00:24 – Six years homeschooling: from an accidental COVID start to three kids at home02:36 – Moving to Dubai, closing her beauty and slim spa, and becoming a stay-at-home mom04:17 – What a typical homeschool day looks like07:56 – Why she outsources math and Arabic to tutors09:21 – Her curriculum staples: IEW, Story of the World, and an eclectic approach10:30 – Planning her homeschool year around her tutor “anchors”13:36 – Splitting subjects by child vs. grouping her younger two15:14 – Switching from the British curriculum to American20:36 – Why her eldest son went back to traditional school25:15 – What socialization looks like homeschooling abroad31:52 – The resource she’s loving right now: IEW’s impact on her kids’ writing33:24 – Finding contentment and gratitude after six years35:31 – Her best advice for new homeschoolers and finding your “why”38:14 – Where to find Stacey and final thoughtsResources & Links Mentioned:● Connect with Stacey on Instagram: @homeschool_with_stacey ● IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing), including their Essay Voyage level: iew.com ● Story of the World (history curriculum): Well-Trained Mind Press ● Brightways Global Academy (American umbrella school): brightwayslearning.org ● Outschool: outschool.com ● Preply (tutor marketplace): preply.com ● Michael Clay Thompson grammar curriculum: Royal Fireworks Press ● Clonlara School (an example of an American umbrella school families in Dubai use): clonlara.org● Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool ● Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com

By June every year, Laura Morgan has already mapped out all 40 weeks of her homeschool year — science, history, and art, planned before summer even starts.In this episode, I chat with Laura Morgan, a former high school social studies teacher and homeschool mom of three in eastern North Carolina, now eight years into homeschooling. Laura walks through the planning system she built to homeschool full-time while teaching virtual school for years, and the custom planner it grew into. She also opens up about giving herself permission to scrap a plan that isn’t working, and shares how her daughters’ jewelry business and one child’s learning differences have shaped her homeschool along the way.You’ll hear:* How Laura maps her entire 40-week homeschool year every May and June* What it took to teach virtual school full-time while homeschooling her own three kids for eight years* Why she gives herself full permission to scrap a lesson plan that isn’t working* How her daughters turned a one-day entrepreneur project into a three-year jewelry business* How catching a learning struggle early — something a classroom might have missed — changed how she homeschools* The Morgan family’s three-word mantra that matters more than any subject on the schedule✨ If you’ve ever wanted a system for staying ahead instead of scrambling to catch up, Laura’s May-and-June planning method might change how you approach next year.About Laura Morgan:I’m a former high school civics and history teacher turned homeschool mom of three. After nearly 15 years in education and 8 years homeschooling, I’ve found the routines and simple systems that make my homeschool and mom life feel more organized, joyful, and sustainable. Our family mantra is simple: be kind, include others, do your best, and be a good human—anything after that is gravy.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & meet Laura00:27 – 15 years in education, 8 years homeschooling, and three kids01:34 – Why they chose homeschool over public school02:32 – The homeschool “drop-off line” joke (and the real reasons they stayed)04:36 – Their eclectic homeschool style: classical, unit studies, and Charlotte Mason06:31 – A typical homeschool day, then and now10:29 – Juggling full-time virtual teaching and homeschooling13:32 – How Laura plans her entire school year in May and June17:07 – Creating her own planner (and why she started selling it)21:40 – Curriculum choices, the supply list system, and how the planner works30:50 – Giving herself permission to scrap a plan that isn’t working34:21 – Homeschooling multiple kids and toddlers39:00 – Family subjects and her 3-year history rotation43:48 – Teaching history with primary sources and diverse perspectives46:46 – Classical Conversations: what she loves and doesn’t50:45 – Her personal support system and homeschool community51:24 – Her daughters’ jewelry business, The Morgan Made57:38 – Old worries vs. now, and catching a learning difference early58:10 – What’s bringing her joy this summer1:06:53 – Three pieces of advice and the Morgan family mantra1:10:55 – Where to find Laura and her plannerResources & Links Mentioned:* Connect with Laura on Instagram* Grab Laura’s homeschool planner (and shop her daughters’ jewelry, The Morgan Made) on Etsy — use code ORGANIZED20 for 20% off the planner* Shop Laura’s Amazon storefront* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com

How does a homeschool mom go from downloading someone else’s planner to building nine of her own apps in a single week?In this episode, I chat with Amber Sanders, the creator behind Playful Homeschool Mom and a homeschool mom of two — a six-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. Amber shares how the pressure to have every day perfectly planned pushed her from over-preparing straight into “winging it,” until she taught herself to build her own AI-powered homeschool apps instead. She walks me through how those tools turned into a full planning business for other families, plus the toddler survival kit she built for the chaotic in-between moments.You’ll hear:* How Amber went from feeling like she had to have it all figured out to finding her own sustainable rhythm* The moment that told her, unmistakably, her daughter was ready for handwriting practice (hint: it involved her walls)* How her Interest-Based Learning app turns any obsession — unicorns included — into a full day of math, science, reading, and art* What’s actually inside one of her custom homeschool plans for other families, down to the personal note she leaves each mom* Her “Homeschool Toddler Survival Kit” for the moments a toddler chooses chaos* Her honest advice for brand-new homeschool moms about grace, trust, and stepping off the comparison train✨ If you’ve ever felt like homeschooling means having it all figured out, Amber’s story is the permission slip to slow down and build what actually works for your family.About Amber Sanders:Hi, I’m Amber, the homeschool mom behind Playful Homeschool Mom. I homeschool my daughter while raising a busy toddler, and I’ve learned that meaningful learning doesn’t have to happen sitting all day.Our homeschool is built around play, real life experiences, nature, books, travel, and following my child’s interests. I love helping new homeschool moms feel confident, simplify the planning process, and create a homeschool that actually fits their family instead of trying to recreate traditional school at home.When I’m not homeschooling, I’m creating resources and custom homeschool plans to help other families build a learning life they love.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & meet Amber00:27 – Meet Amber and her family01:03 – Their “official” kindergarten year of homeschool03:06 – How she and her husband decided to homeschool08:12 – The social media pressure to have it all figured out09:24 – Building her own homeschool systems with AI12:45 – How her homeschool apps got started13:58 – Behind the scenes of the Interest-Based Learning app17:20 – Turning her apps into a homeschool planning business19:27 – What’s inside a custom homeschool plan23:51 – Staying organized and making time for herself25:56 – The Homeschool Toddler Survival Kit29:53 – Her best advice for new homeschool moms31:19 – Where to find AmberResources & Links Mentioned:* Connect with Amber Sanders on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Threads.* Visit her website at Playful Homeschool Mom* Follow me on Instagram: @theorganizedhomeschool* Subscribe to the Voice Notes from The Organized Homeschool podcast on Apple, Spotify, or Substack This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theorganizedhomeschool.substack.com