Ever feel like “life” is just too much to keep homeschooling going? This one’s for you.

I sat down with Karissa Martin, a mom of four, seasoned homeschooler, and expert juggler who, this year alone, faced one family crisis after another: illness, caretaking, and more than a few emotional curveballs. But you know what? Not only did her family make it through, but they actually experienced more growth than they have in years.

We talk about the sandwich generation (yes, it even counts with grandparents), trying to keep homeschool afloat while at the hospital, late-night co-op assignments, and what it really looks like to let your vision and community hold you up when you can’t do it on your own.

Karissa pulls back the curtain on how she hit burnout, learned to finally ask for help, and found a “village” when she needed it most. She also reveals how, even with all the chaos, her kids’ education didn’t just survive…it thrived.

We don’t sugarcoat the messy parts, but you’ll come away with real encouragement, practical ideas for finding your footing in a tough season, and a hefty dose of hope.

• How Karissa homeschooled during crisis and family caretaking (without losing her mind)
• The do-the-next-thing approach to planning that kept her from feeling behind
• Why she now plans her whole homeschool year—spoiler: this saved her bacon
• How asking for help (even when it’s hard) changes everything
• Life lessons her kids learned from supporting extended family
• Why “behind” is almost always in your head
• The reality of burnout—and Karissa’s steps for climbing out
• The surprising ways community can show up, even when you think you don’t have a village

• Put Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot
• HSBT Podcast Free Community

Want more help with planning your year, surviving the messy seasons, and connecting with a community that actually gets it? Come join us in our free group!

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt41

Are you in a season where homeschooling just feels… well, impossible? Juggling toddlers, moving houses, job changes—or maybe even facing heart surgery for your baby? Deep breath—friend, this episode is proof you really can keep going, even in the crazy!

Today I’m joined by my friend, marketing pro, and veteran homeschool mom Tracey Matney. Tracey’s not only teaching her 8-year-old son (since Pre-K!)—she’s also wrangling a busy toddler after a wild couple of years filled with moving, house fires, a not-quite-soon-enough home build, having a newborn in a borrowed back-house, and that earth-shaking moment when her baby needed open heart surgery at just four months old.

If you’ve ever thought, “How am I supposed to homeschool through THIS?”—Tracey’s story will encourage you and give you a good reality check on what truly matters. (Spoiler: Perfectionism is out, “the main things” are in.)

• The only subjects that really matter during a crisis season (and what to ditch)
• How to build resilience—even when chaos reigns at home (hint: Bible, breakfast, and deep breaths)
• The power of homeschool community and leaning on others when you simply can’t do it all
• Practical ways to pivot your plans, release perfection, and keep going—even when you want to quit
• How Autopilot planning (and a clear homeschool vision) transforms your confidence and sanity—not just your lesson lists
• Why letting your kids see you grow is its own kind of homeschool win

• Put Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot
• Beast Academy math (for independent/gifted math)
• IEW Fix It Grammar
• Story of the World (history)
• Tracey’s Instagram
• Free Homeschool Community

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to

Are you ready to break out of “school-at-home” thinking and finally build a homeschool rhythm that fits YOUR real life—not just the one in the curriculum guide?

This week, I invited our two resident schedule-geeks—Laney Homan and Dawn Garrett—into the studio for a lively, practical (and very honest) roundtable on all things homeschool schedules.

We’re tackling the myth that there’s only one “right” way to schedule your homeschool, sharing why nobody here gets up for a 7am school bus…and giving you permission to let go of what doesn’t work for your unique family.

We walk through six of the most popular scheduling types (yep, there’s math, but not the scary kind), spill the biggest scheduling mistakes we’ve made, and show you what flexibility really looks like through every messy season.

No pressure. Just lots of ideas, permission to pivot, and some hilarious overscheduling confessions from yours truly.

If you secretly geek out over planners—or if you just wish someone would tell you WHY you can never stick to the schedule the public school uses—this is your episode.

Grab your coffee, open your planner (or don’t), and join us for a real talk that just might make your next homeschool season your smoothest yet.

• The most common homeschool schedule types and why families choose them
• How to start with intention (not just “fall into” inconsistent routines)
• Why your schedule can (and should) change as your family grows and life shifts
• How to adapt for outside classes, big family needs, and real-life curveballs
• The difference between loop and block scheduling (and which one to use if you always skip science!)
• How to use “magic number” scheduling for ultimate flexibility—and what to avoid
• Permission to experiment, change things up, or even go back to traditional if that’s what works

• Put Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot
• Loop Schedule Video
• Homeschool Better Together Community

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt39.

Mentioned in this episode:

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Get the Independent Student Planner Bundle FREE when you purchase Put Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot by June 27. Go to pambarnhill.com/autopilot today!

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