Episode Title: When You Don’t Know What’s Next: Preparing Your High Schooler for the Next Season

Host: Lisa Nehring
Brought to you by: CTC Math — the stress-free, self-paced homeschool math program for every learner.

What happens when your high schooler doesn’t know what’s next—and honestly, neither do you? In this episode, Lisa Nehring shares heartfelt wisdom drawn from her own experience of transition: selling her family home after 22 years and entering a new season of life. Just as a home must be prepared before it’s ready for new owners, our teens can prepare for their future—even when the destination isn’t clear yet.

Lisa helps parents shift from being “taskmasters” to “project managers,” guiding the big picture of high school with intention and peace. She breaks down four key skill areas every teen needs before graduation—academic foundations, digital fluency, financial and career readiness, and social-emotional intelligence—along with four types of transcripts that align with their goals: trades and tech, college prep, honors/dual degree, and entrepreneurship.

This episode will help you stop stressing about predicting the future and start preparing your teen to be ready when opportunity comes.

• You don’t need to know what’s next to start preparing for it.

• Shift from being a taskmaster (focused on daily assignments) to a project manager (focused on the big picture).

• The four categories of preparation:

  1. Core Academic Foundations — communication, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration.

  2. Tech & Digital Skills — AI tools, coding, digital literacy, and research.

  3. Financial & Career Readiness — budgeting, entrepreneurship, professionalism.

  4. Social & Emotional Intelligence — leadership, resilience, and cultural literacy.

• Three main pathways (plus one bonus!): trades and tech, college prep, dual degree, and entrepreneurship.

• Preparation over prediction is the key to confident homeschooling through high school.

• 🧮 CTC Math – Try it Free

• 📄 Taming the Transcript — a parent-friendly guide to building a professional homeschool transcript.

• 🏫 Homeschool High School Transcript Template — fillable, professional, and easy to use.

Even if your teen doesn’t have all the answers about their future, you can still prepare them for success. Take one small step at a time. High school doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—it’s truly not that hard.

What if finding a few like-minded families near you were as easy as dropping a pin on a map? In this episode, Lisa chats with Morgan Bergstrom—former corporate recruiter, mom of three (soon four!), and creator of BaseCampEd, a free app that helps homeschool and alt-ed families connect locally. Morgan shares her family’s journey from full-time daycare to kindergarten at home, the moment the “mini co-op” idea clicked, and why connection—not perfection—keeps families thriving. We talk hybrid options, micro-schools, nature schools, and why you don’t have to go “all in” on day one. If you’re homeschool-curious (or already homeschooling and craving real-life community), this one’s for you.

• Morgan’s pivot from 12 years in corporate recruiting to entrepreneurship

• The origin story of BaseCampEd (and why it’ll always be free for parents)

• Moving every 2–3 years: building community fast in a new city

• Hybrid/alt-ed options: co-ops, micro-schools, nature & farm schools, STEM programs

• How to “test drive” homeschooling without going all-in

• Socialization myths vs. real connection

• Why homeschooling pairs naturally with entrepreneurship

• You don’t need 100 people—just a few good families you connect with.

• Try before you leap: add a small reading/math kit after dinner or on weekends.

• Use tools (like BaseCampEd) to find local groups, events, and alt-ed resources.

• Give your kids the gift of time: true literacy & critical thinking don’t require 6 hours at a table.

• “I wanted a Zillow for homeschoolers: pull up a map, click the dots, read profiles, and connect.” —Morgan

• “You don’t have to be ‘all in’ on day one. Start small and see how your child resonates.” —Morgan

• “Homeschooling opens doors to alternative work and entrepreneurship.” —Lisa

• BaseCampEd – Free app to connect with local homeschool & alt-ed families

• True North Academy – Live and self-paced classes for K–12

• It’s Not That Hard to Homeschool Podcast – More episodes with Lisa

Episode Summary:
Is traditional school no longer the right fit for your family? In this episode of It’s Not That Hard to Homeschool, Lisa Nehring breaks down the ever-expanding list of educational alternatives—homeschooling, microschools, university-model schools, co-ops, online academies, dual enrollment, and dual degree programs. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming, but Lisa gives you a step-by-step framework to clarify your goals, assess your child’s needs, and confidently select the best path forward.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The pros and cons of microschools, hybrid schools, and co-ops

• What dual enrollment really means (and why it varies by state)

• How online academies differ in quality and approach

• Why dual degree programs may be the most cost-effective option for motivated teens

• Four practical steps to evaluate and choose the right educational path for your family

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• CTC Math – Free Trial (sponsor)

• True North Academy – Online classes, dual enrollment, and dual degree options

• Browse curriculum reviews and homeschool resources at NotThatHardtoHomeschool.com

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