Episode 200: Finding Your Homeschool Style
For the Busy Mommas…
Links from This Episode
Are you a box-checker, an unschooler, the crafty one with tiny collected sticks everywhere—or are you saying, "I have no idea what my style is yet?
If you're wondering what kind of homeschooler you are—and if you're doing it right—this episode is for you.
Because here's the truth: you don't need to fit inside anyone else's box (especially if your toddler has already used it to build a fort).
We just want to let you know that this episode is like being fed from a fire hose...this is one you might have to listen to, take some notes, think and pray, and come back and listen again. So let's kick this off...
Popular Homeschool Methods (00:45)
Charlotte Mason: Nature walks, living books, gentle pace, short lessons.
Classical: Logic, Latin, memory work, Socratic questioning, it's academic led.
Unit Studies: One theme, all subjects. Great for all ages together.
Unschooling: Child-led, interest-based. Learning happens organically.
Traditional/School-at-home: Structured, textbook-based, familiar format, curriculum-in-a-box.
Montessori/Waldorf: Hands-on, sensory-rich, focused on development stages.
Pros & Cons (02:00)
Before you consider any of these methods, remember that God gave you each of your children for a reason, He made you their mom on purpose.
What each method offers…
Charlotte Mason
Pros:
Rich in beauty, literature, and nature
Short lessons, which means you're more likely to get focused attention and not burn out
Encourages habits and gentle discipline
Easy to adapt across ages & ranges
Emphasizes wonder and real-world connections
Cons:
Can feel too slow-paced for checklist-minded moms
Can require a little more parental reading/preview time
Nature studies and narrations can feel unfamiliar at first
It can be hard to measure “progress” in a traditional sense
Classical
Pros:
Strong academic foundation and critical thinking
Emphasis on memory and logic builds mental stamina
Structured, time-tested framework
Appeals to families who value rigor
Cons:
Demands a lot of memorization (especially in early years)
Can feel rigid & stressful in younger grades (for the child and the mom)
Latin and formal logic may overwhelm some kids
Not ideal for hands-on or highly active learners because it's heavy on reading and seat-time learning
Unit Studies
Pros:
Engaging, thematic learning for the whole family
Allows creative freedom and depth in topics
Great for hands-on and project-based learners
Simplifies planning when teaching multiple ages
Cons:
Requires upfront prep and organization
Hard to “track” academic progress across subjects
May miss foundational skills if not carefully balanced
Can be messy or time-consuming for some personalities
It can be expensive to gather all the supplies you want to if you want to do more hands-on learning
Unschooling
Pros:
Totally personalized to each child’s interests & needs
Really leans into the talent of the child
Builds independence, creativity, and self-direction
Freedom from rigid schedules and burnout
VERY flexible
Works well for neurodivergent or non-traditional learners & non-traditional moms as well
Cons:
Can feel “too loose” or unstructured for parents and sometimes kids
Difficult to plan or document learning for records
Some parents fear “gaps” or lack of academic rigor
Not a good fit for families who need (or are required because of laws to have) external accountability
Traditional / School-at-Home
Pros:
Familiar structure and clear expectations
Easy to follow a pre-built curriculum (great for beginners)
Often includes testing, grading, and pacing guides
Feels “safe” and checks all academic boxes
You learn A LOT from starting here about what works well and what doesn't, but you don't get attached to one particular style, so pivoting is easier
Cons:
Can lead to burnout, especially with multiple kids
Less flexibility or room for exploration
Because of its structure, it may not support different learning styles, especially if you're the type to need to finish every problem/page.
Feels like bringing school home rather than creating your homeschool
Montessori / Waldorf
Pros:
Child-centered & hands-on learning
Rooted in teaching respect, empathy, & social skills
Emphasizes rhythm, beauty, and development
Encourages creativity, life skills, and independence
Great for younger kids and sensory learners
Cons:
Materials can be expensive or hard to source (especially books – Out of print)
May feel “unstructured” for families craving checklists
Doesn’t always align with standard academic benchmarks
May be challenging with older kids or larger families
Money, Money, Money (16:30)
Charlotte Mason
Startup Cost: $100–$400+
Where the cost goes:Living books (can use library or thrifted)
Nature journals, art/music resources
Gentle curriculum guides (like Simply Charlotte Mason)
Optional: poetry, handicrafts, nature study materials
Tip: Budget-conscious families can go low-cost using public domain books and printable resources.
Classical
Startup Cost: $300–$1000+
Where the cost goes:Core curriculum (like Classical Conversations, Memoria Press, MODG, or Catholic Schoolhouse)
Latin/logic books and memory aids
Timeline cards, history cycles, group memberships
Optional: co-op/classical program enrollment fees (including the cost of your time, because most of these require parent teaching or involvement)
Tip: Costs rise fast if joining a program like Classical Conversations, but the benefit is that if you want to reuse those materials year after year, it's an upfront investment, but then you have them.
Unit Studies
Startup Cost: $50–$300+
Where the cost goes:Topic-based guides (Gather 'Round, KONOS, etc.)
Hands-on supplies (crafts, science kits, books, sensory materials)
Library or streaming subs for documentaries/videos
Optional: digital bundles or DIY unit plans
Tip: Very flexible—can be nearly free if you DIY, use the library, and get things second-hand.
Unschooling
Startup Cost: $0 – and beyond
Where the cost goes:Books, games, supplies based on kids’ interests
Pivoting interests (and this can be costly)
Field trips, memberships (museums, zoo)
Subscriptions (Curiosity Stream, Kiwi Crate, Outschool, Crunch Labs, Wild + Free)
Optional: journal or planner to document learning
Tip: Low cost, but requires thoughtful investment in experiences, as well as thoughtful investment in what makes your kid tick (aka being a student of your child).
Traditional / School-at-Home
Startup Cost: $400–$1200+
Where the cost goes:Full boxed curriculum (Abeka, BJU, Sonlight, Seton, etc.)
Teacher’s guides, workbooks, testing materials
Grade-level bundles per child
Umbrella school fees
Optional: school supplies, online learning platforms, & supplemental materials
Tip: Higher cost upfront, but gives structure many new homeschoolers crave, and the upfront investment can be passed down child after child if you're willing to use the workbooks in a non-consumable fashion (aka make copies, use notebooks, etc.)
Montessori / Waldorf
Startup Cost: $200–$800+
Where the cost goes:Montessori materials (moveable alphabet, sensory toys, trays, wood manipulatives)
Waldorf items (main lesson books, beeswax crayons, rhythm charts)
Nature-based or seasonal curriculum
Optional: e-courses for parent training or philosophy, because this is more than just a curriculum; it's like a way of life.
Tip: DIY versions & second-hand sets help cut costs, but authentic materials can be pricey.
Most typically used for ages 3-6 and sometimes up to 8
Mix & Match (26:25)
The 4 P’s: Personalities, Priorities, Pace, & Peace
Every family is going to have different personalities & priorities
Those will dictate your pace and what you're cultivating in your home
Getting in alignment with what pace you need and homeschooling for your whys is what will bring that peace (even after hard days...it's the knowing today sucked, but I'm doing the right thing)
There's a real beauty to a hybrid method (hello, morning basket with a sprinkle of unschooling).
It takes time to figure out what a hybrid looks like for your family...but that does NOT = a waste of time.
Learning about yourself, your kids, and your family + academic learning
You don’t have to marry one style forever.
What works this year… will more than likely shift next year or kid to kid.
WE are learning how to pivot with grace (especially in toddler seasons, newborn seasons, or teen seasons).
Calling yourself to awareness of where you're meeting a pain point again and again with a certain child, learning style, or curriculum.
Swapping mid-year (terrifying at first...scared your kids will be behind)
In 10 years, my kids have never been "behind"
YOUR Way (33:00)
Encouragement to Embrace YOUR Way
You were chosen to mother and homeschool these exact children.
Homeschooling doesn’t need to look a certain way to be meaningful.
Permission to not finish the curriculum.
Queen of chaos
NO teacher finishes a book
The REAL Goal (34:45)
The real goal: raising life-long learners rooted in respect, responsibility, faith and family.
What are you naturally drawn to? What do your kids love most?
Where are you feeling pressure to perform or imitate?
What might it look like to give yourself permission to build your own way?
What might success actually look like at the end of this year?
This year Britt wrote in her HPLAM: We were creative, we adventured in new story books and places, my kids' mindsets and relationships have grown, they met some of their goals, they met failure as friend instead of an enemy, and they feel deeply supported, safe, loved, and comforted in our home and family.
You might notice...nothing about that has to do with math or reading capabilities...
And I think THAT'S the real goal here. I think THAT'S what God is calling us to when he whispers about homeschooling in our ears...raising 'whole' kids for HIS greater glory...not just academic success.
And finally, take it to prayer...Ask God to please reveal what style or mix and match HE wants for your family. Then listen. And remember that His answer is going to sound like peace, not hustle.
Our Homeschool Plan Like a Mother is a fantastic tool for finding YOUR homeschool style and feeling confident in your choices—it walks you through your family’s priorities & values, and helps you lay out your why, so you can cultivate a homeschool with God that connects with your kids and can weather any storm.
→ Visit deliberate.day to grab it and breathe a little easier this homeschool year.
