90-Minute School Day

What happens when school is not a match for a learner? For many disabled and neurodivergent children and teens, traditional school environments create anxiety, shutdown, and loss of self-trust. In this conversation, we sit down with Dr. Gina Riley, educational psychologist, Associate Professor of Special Education at Hunter College - School of Education (CUNY), researcher, and unschooling parent to unpack the first peer-reviewed study on unschooling students with disabilities. We explore why families of autistic, ADHD, learning disabled, and neurodivergent children are moving away from traditional school and toward self-directed education This episode covers: Why families leave school (and it’s rarely ideology) Unschooling as a healing environment Intrinsic motivation and self-determination Nervous system safety and learning How unschooling functions as built-in accommodation Caregiver fatigue and lack of respite The need for unschooling-informed doctors, therapists, and educators Why research matters for advocacy and legitimacy Dr. Riley brings both academic research and lived experience as an unschooling parent to this conversation, offering insight for: ✔ Parents of disabled and neurodivergent children ✔ Pediatricians, therapists, psychologists, occupational therapists ✔ Educators and special education professionals ✔ Anyone rethinking what meaningful learning can look like   Unschooling is not the absence of education.   For some learners, it may be the least restrictive and most developmentally appropriate environment available.   Resources Mentioned Dr. Riley’s study: Unschooling Students with Disabilities Learn more about Dr. Riley Join Day in the Life Community Learn more about the 90-Minute School Day   Share This Episode If this conversation gave you language you’ve been needing: Send it to the friend who needs to hear this. Send it to your co-parent. Send it to a concerned family member. Send it to your child’s care team. Send it to an educator who wants to understand.   Research and advocacy matter. And conversations like this move us toward educational models that respect both learning and humanity.

How many friends does your child actually need? We’ve normalized early peer immersion. We worry about socialization. We measure childhood against birthday party invites and best-friend status.   But what if we’ve absorbed a story that deserves to be questioned?   In this conversation, I sit down with Missy Willis of Let ‘Em Go Barefoot to unpack: Peer orientation Attachment theory Mixed-age play vs. peer culture Playmates vs. real friendship And the question underneath the question: what do children actually need to thrive?   Influenced by the work of Gordon Neufeld, Gabor Maté, and Peter Gray, this is a paradigm-shifting look at friendship that challenges cultural norms around socialization.   If you’ve ever felt that quiet pressure, “Is my child social enough?” this episode will help you slow down and look again.   Connect + Resources Missy Willis: https://letemgobarefoot.com/   Peer orientation + attachment: Hold On to Your Kids book by Neufeld and Maté Should We Rethink the Idea of Friendships for Our Kids? By Missy Willis   Mixed Age Play: The Special Value of Mixed-Age Play by Peter Gray   Laughter + connection blog: Laughter Sparks Learning in Homeschool by Kelly Edwards   Join the Day in the Life community: https://90minuteschoolday.com/day-in-the-life/

“I’m not reading, but everyone else is.” If you’ve ever heard your child say this (or felt it echo quietly in your own head) this conversation is for you. In this episode, I’m joined by Carrie DeFrancisco for a live conversation inside Day in the Life (DITL) community. Carrie is a longtime homeschool parent, former classroom teacher, homeschool coach, and podcaster. And she’s also an accidental homeschooler and the mother of a neurodivergent, dyslexic learner. Together, we talk about what really helps when a child’s reading timeline looks different. Not from a place of fixing or rushing. Not from a school-based lens. And not by pathologizing kids who learn differently. Instead, we explore: what’s actually happening when a child notices they’re “behind” how to respond without layering adult fear onto a tender moment what supports dyslexic and late-reading kids over time (and what creates more friction) how true learning develops through story, meaning, relationship, and interest what success can look like when decoding comes later, including into the teen years This conversation is about reading, yes … but it’s also about trust, identity, and what happens when we let development unfold without a stopwatch. If you have a dyslexic learner, listen closely. If you don’t, still listen … because every child has a place where their timeline looks different. This is a conversation for parents who are done chasing benchmarks and ready to notice what’s already growing. Resources + Links Connect with Carrie DeFrancisco and explore her work here Listen to Carrie’s podcast featuring her son Joe Learn more about Day in the Life (DITL) and be notified when doors open again Explore coaching with Kelly 1:1 if you want support meeting your neurodivergent child where they are and navigating self-directed education with confidence

Winter can be a hard season for homeschooling parents... Especially if you are raising neurodivergent kids while navigating burnout, nervous system exhaustion, and the pressure to “reset.” In this episode, we explore how watercolor can support nervous system regulation, deschooling, and gentle self-care in real life. Meet artist and unschooling parent Cyrielle Tignard to talk about releasing perfectionism, creating with interruptions, and giving yourself permission to pause, play, and care for your own nervous system alongside your child’s. In This Episode: Watercolor as nervous system regulation and burnout recovery Deschooling as a practice of process, not performance Parenting and learning alongside neurodivergent children Letting go of perfection and trusting growth beneath the surface Why creative self-care matters in homeschooling families Resources & Links: Free 3-Day Introduction to Watercolor Mini Course (Cyrielle Tignard) Learn basic techniques, color mixing, and complete a small project Day In The Life Community (DITL) Supportive community for homeschooling parents focused on nervous system safety and living well Private Coaching with Kelly Edwards Deschooling support, nervous system healing, and sustainable homeschooling (Limited availability) Enjoying the podcast? If this episode met you where you are, please rate and review The 90-Minute School Day. Your reviews help other homeschooling parents find support and encouragement. Thank you!

Let's explore how boundaries and belonging work together to create safety, connection, and authenticity in our families. Especially for those of us parenting and home educating neurodivergent and PDA children who need spaciousness, autonomy, and felt-safety to thrive and learn. Rachel Rainbolt is a therapist, unschooling mother, family guide, and founder of Sage Family. In this episode, Rachel shares grounded, practical tools for navigating real-life relationship dynamics during an emotionally complex season. With her warm, compassionate wisdom, she helps us understand boundaries not as lines drawn to control others, but as choices we make to care for ourselves while staying connected. Together, we talk through: What it actually means to set boundaries—and why these are more effective, nervous-system-safe, and sustainable than requests focused on changing someone else. The Venn Diagram of Needs as a way to reduce conflict, increase collaboration, and honor everyone’s humanity. Accepting people as they are so we stop fighting reality and start navigating relationships with clarity and compassion. Responding to words at face value to reduce anxiety, avoid mind-reading, and create more emotional safety for children and adults alike. Navigating gatherings, expectations, and complicated family systems—and how to prepare yourself, your kids, and your boundaries for a season that often comes with heightened sensory, emotional, and relational demands. Co-regulation and hard conversations in families recovering from burnout, especially within PDA profiles where pressure, demands, and social scripts can feel overwhelming. Belonging as celebration—how to create a family culture where every person is welcomed as themselves, not molded into someone else’s comfort.   This is a gentle, insightful guide for moving through the next season with more clarity, compassion, and confidence. Connect with Rachel Rainbolt Website: sagefamily.com Instagram:@rachelrainbolt Connect with Kelly + The 90-Minute School Day Invite me to Day In The Life Community Subscribe to the 90-Minute School Day Newsletter Learn more about our Guide Training™ Program   Taking a Break — Recommended Episodes to Revisit As we take a holiday break from releasing new podcast episodes, now is an ideal time to revisit or check out a few favorites that align beautifully with today’s themes of boundaries, belonging, connection, and preparing for the season ahead: Episode 11: “Play, Homeschool & Holiday Hooky” — A refreshing take on how to lean into play and freedom during the holidays instead of stress and obligation. Episode 12: “Chaos to Clarity: The Craft of Personal Retreats” — Dive into the power of stepping away, re-centering, and returning to your family and season with greater calm and intentionality. Episode 30: “Boundaries 101: Raising Confident Learners with Liana Francisco” — A rich discussion on boundaries in the unschooling context—what they support, how they protect, and how they set the stage for confident, self-directed learners and families.  

The conclusion of the “Start Where You Are” series Dive deep with us into the idea that conventional schools might be contributing to the very struggles many people associate with dyslexia. This bonus episode originally aired as Episode 38, and we’re bringing it back as the perfect conclusion to our 5-part “Start Where You Are” series (Episodes 48–52). After exploring grief, the joy of slow, learning readiness, math, and writing, this conversation invites you to rethink reading and the ways schools impact children’s learning. I’m joined by Je’anna Clements, an advocate for self-directed learning and a dyslexic learner herself, to discuss her eye-opening perspective on DYSlexia (school-created) vs. dyslexia (a neurotype). Je’anna explains how conventional interventions often offer “helpful harm,” leading to poorer outcomes than self-directed educational approaches for dyslexic learners. She shares how shifting our perspective allows all children to thrive in ways that truly honor their unique needs. We also explore the powerful connections between felt-safety, self-determination theory, flow in learning, and consent—and how these elements are key to fostering meaningful, lifelong learning. We dive into the idea of “inherent wisdom”—the concept that children already possess what they need to find their own learning solutions. Je’anna shares how self-directed learning, rooted in trust and understanding, helps children mature in their own ways—especially those who’ve been labeled as “dyslexic.” This conversation challenges conventional educational norms and invites you to rethink learning, reading, and the holistic development and respect of children. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between DYSlexia (school-created) and dyslexia (a neurotype) Why some common reading interventions might actually be harmful How felt-safety, self-determination, and flow impact learning The role of consent in a child’s learning process The importance of connecting learning to a child’s innate interests and curiosity Why trusting your child’s natural learning process can be the key to thriving in home education Connect with Je’Anna: Website and her books Patreon and mini-courses Horizontal Communication Rights-Centric Education LinkedIn Resources mentioned in this episode: What if School Creates Dyslexia? By Je’anna Clements Free to Learn by Peter Gray Successful Illiterate Men study by Roger A. Clark The Art of Receiving and Giving: the Wheel of Consent by Betty Marin Join the Conversation! This episode is a peek inside our Day in the Life community, where parents support one another in self-directed learning and explore homeschooling through play, flow, and nervous system safety. 🎉Doors are open now! (Thru Nov. 4th)🎉 Want to join us for support, connection, and more conversations like this? 👉 Learn more at 90minuteschoolday.com/day-in-the-life/. Listen to the other episodes in the “Starting Where You Are” series: Part 1: What Grief Has to Teach Us with Emily Souder Part 2: Falling Behind is a Myth with Leslie Martino Part 3: Body Before Brain: Unlock Learning with Sarah Collins Part 4: What If Math Wasn’t The Problem with Sue Patterson Part 5: Becoming Brave Writers with Julie Bogart Follow along at 90MinuteSchoolDay.com or on Instagram @90MinuteSchoolDay.

Ever wonder why it’s hard to express yourself in writing? Join Julie Bogart, myself, and the DITL community for a down-to-earth conversation about helping the resistant writer in all of us become brave writers. In this episode, Julie shares her own journey from homeschool parent to national voice for authentic education, unpacking what writing really is and why so many of us, parents and kids alike, carry writing wounds. Together, we explore how to help our children find their voices through partnership, play, and trust, and how parents and kids can begin to heal their own relationships with writing along the way. So, if you have a child who hides under the table when the pencil comes out or fills notebooks with stories, this conversation will leave you excited, hopeful, and equipped to support writing as a natural form of expression…not a performance. **This episode is part 5 of a 5-part podcast series, Start Where You Are. (Be sure to catch up with the rest of the series, linked below.)  What We Talk About Why writing begins with speech (and what that means for reluctant writers) The five natural stages of writing development Why freewriting and messy drafts matter more than perfect sentences How parents and students can repair their own writing trauma, it’s never too late What “writing off the page” looks like for kids in burnout or recovery The role of trust and nervous system safety in a child’s creative growth   Connect with Julie Book: Help! My Kid Hates Writing by Julie Bogart More from Julie: juliebogartwriter.com | Brave Writer   Join the Community Did this conversation leave you wanting more? Our Day in the Life members stayed on for a live Q+A with Julie, diving deeper into real-life applications and parent questions. In fact, we studied writing together for an entire month. If you’re raising an out-of-the-box, neurodivergent, or special needs child, you’ll find a warm homecoming inside the Day in the Life community. It’s a space for parents practicing flow over force, learning to trust the process, and supporting each other through the hard and beautiful work of homeschooling differently.   Doors open November 1st by invite only. 👉 Join the invite list here.   Stay Connected One-on-one coaching spots are full for the rest of the year, but you can join our newsletter or connect through the community for ongoing support and shared wisdom. Self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method. Guide Training™ is our signature live group deschooling program. Invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.   Listen to the other episodes in the “Starting Where You Are” series: Part 1: What Grief Has to Teach Us with Emily Souder Part 2: Falling Behind is a Myth with Leslie Martino Part 3: Body Before Brain: Unlock Learning with Sarah Collins Part 4: What If Math Wasn’t The Problem with Sue Patterson Follow along at 90MinuteSchoolDay.com or on Instagram @90MinuteSchoolDay.

What if math wasn’t actually the problem—just the way we’ve been taught to see it? In this episode, we welcome longtime unschooling advocate Sue Patterson, founder of Unschooling Mom2Mom, to explore one of the biggest sources of stress for homeschooling parents: math. Together, we unpack how our own school experiences and fears around math can shape the way we approach learning with our kids—and how shifting that mindset can open the door to curiosity, trust, and genuine growth. You’ll hear about: Why so many parents carry math baggage (and how that affects our kids) What real learning looks like when math happens “in the wild” How unschooling families handle math resistance and anxiety Why your child’s reluctance might actually be a sign of readiness This is part 4 of 5 in our Start Where You Are series, and it’s one you won’t want to miss. Whether you love math or dread it, this conversation will help you reimagine what learning math can look like when we let go of control and trust the process. Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about and connect with Sue at UnschoolingMom2Mom.com Learning Math WITHOUT Curriculum Check out Day in the Life (DITL) Community. DITL is a community of parents who gather weekly to learn, reflect, and support one another as we homeschool with heart. Each month we welcome a guest expert like Sarah, and every day we build community through shared learning, encouragement, and friendship through our asynchronous video chats on Marco Polo. Kelly offers one-on-one coaching and a self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method. There is also Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, for those who prefer community learning. Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™. Listen to the other episodes in the “Starting Where You Are” series: Part 1: What Grief Has to Teach Us with Emily Souder Part 2: Falling Behind is a Myth with Leslie Martino Part 3: Body Before Brain: Unlock Learning with Sarah Collins Part 5: Becoming Brave Learners with Julie Bogart

Before academics, worksheets, or curriculum—there’s one foundational question: Is my child ready to learn? Learning starts with the body. In this conversation, we are joined by Sarah Collins, homeschool mom and occupational therapist behind Homeschool OT. Sarah helps us step into an OT’s perspective on learning readiness by unpacking retained primitive reflexes, regulation, and how to observe our kids with new eyes. Together, we explore: What an OT does and how they support learning at home What primitive reflexes are, with a focus on the Moro reflex and ATNR The downstream impacts of unintegrated reflexes—on attention, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and reading Practical first steps for parents noticing challenges with regulation, readiness, and felt-safety Practical starting points for parents who feel maxed out or burned out Sarah brings both expertise and empathy, reminding parents that you don’t have to do everything—just start where you are, with what you have. Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 📌Learn more about Sarah, her classes and consulting at Homeschool OT 📌 Listen to Sarah’s podcast The Homeschool OT Is In Episode 21: Exploring Primitive Reflexes Episode 22: Play-Based Reflex Integration Video for Kids on Retained Reflexes 📌 Check out Day in the Life (DITL) Community. DITL is a community of parents who gather weekly to learn, reflect, and support one another as we homeschool with heart. Each month we welcome a guest expert like Sarah, and every day we build community through shared learning, encouragement, and friendship through our asynchronous video chats on Marco Polo. 📌 Kelly offers one-on-one coaching and a self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method. 📌 There is also Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, for those who prefer community learning. 📌Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.   🎧 Listen to the other episodes in the “Starting Where You Are” series: Part 1: What Grief Has to Teach Us with Emily Souder Part 2: Falling Behind is a Myth with Leslie Martino Part 4: What If Math Wasn't the Problem? with Sue Patterson Part 5: Becoming Brave Learners with Julie Bogart  

The pressure to “do more” in homeschooling is constant—cover more subjects, check more boxes, keep up with the pace of everyone else. But what if all that rushing is the very thing keeping kids (and parents) from real learning? In this episode, Leslie Martino, author of The Joy of Slow, pushes back on the myths of falling behind and faster is better. She explains why slowing down is not about doing less, but about creating the space where values, curiosity, and connection can actually take root. Highlights include: What “slow” really means—and what it doesn’t How descriptive inquiry shifts the focus from what’s wrong to what’s working Why reflection is the missing step between information and wisdom How routines, projects, and flexibility create homes where learning flourishes This episode is part 2 in our 5-part Start Where You Are series, following the conversation on grief and meaning-making we began in Episode 48. Both episodes pair together to reveal the same truth: meaning is never found in speed—it’s found in slowing down enough to notice. 📌 Connect with Leslie: lesliemartino.com 📌 Join Leslie’s 30 Days of Connection 📌 Join 90-Minute School Day in the Life Community 🎧 Catch Part 1 here: Grief, Acceptance, and Meaning-Making with Emily Souder 🎧 Catch Part 3 here: Body Before Brain: Unlock Learning with Sarah Collins 🎧 Catch Part 4 here: What If Math Wasn't The Problem? with Sue Patterson 🎧 Catch Part 5 here: Becoming Brave Learners with Julie Bogart

This episode is the first in a brand new 5-part series on the podcast: Start Where You Are. This series is designed to meet you wherever you are in your homeschooling journey, offering the resourcing you need to move forward with meaning and acceptance. And to begin, we’re going straight to the foundation—by naming the elephant in the room: grief. Grief isn’t only about death. It’s about the losses, big and small, that come with parenting and homeschooling—especially for families raising neurodivergent kids. It’s the grief of unmet expectations. The invisible grief of constant adaptation. The grief of medical interventions, school refusal, autistic burnout, and family rhythms that look nothing like we imagined. Too often, grief is dismissed, mislabeled, or buried under burnout. Grief is not an enemy to fight—it’s a friend to make room for. It’s a teacher that invites us toward healing, wholeness, and connection. In this conversation, I’m joined by my friend and Day In The Life community member Emily Souder—therapist, author, homeschool mom, and parent of neurodivergent kids. Emily knows this territory intimately, both through her personal story and her work in the world of neonatal loss and grief. Together, we explore what it means to befriend grief and create space for it in our families—because tending to grief is not only vital for our own healing, but for the well-being of our children. In this episode, we talk about: What grief is and how it shows up in our nervous system Why the 5 stages of grief are often misunderstood The Dual Process Model of Grief and how it helps us balance grieving and living What happens when we suppress or avoid grief Supporting our children in their own experiences of grief Practical ways to tend to grief in our family rhythms Resources & Links Learn more about Emily Souder on her website Pre-order Emily’s newest book, Your NICU Story Join us for the next Day In The Life Community Open House    Listen to the Rest of this Podcast Series 🎧 Catch Part 2 here: Falling Behind is a Myth with Leslie Martino 🎧 Catch Part 3 here: Body Before Brain: Unlock Learning with Sarah Collins 🎧 Catch Part 4 here: What If Math Wasn't The Problem? with Sue Patterson 🎧 Catch Part 5 here: Becoming Brave Learners with Julie Bogart

In this final episode of our four-part series on technology and learning, we're tackling a topic that feels like the "Wild West": artificial intelligence + kids. Is this a threat, a tool, or something else entirely? Join us for a grounded and thoughtful conversation with Andrew Dugan, a former teacher and software engineer who created Aris.chat, a customizable AI designed for kids. He helps us demystify what generative AI and large language models (LLMs) actually are, offering a critical and creative look at how these tools can be used for learning. Andrew shares his unique perspective as a parent, teacher, software engineer, and consumer, exploring the promises and pitfalls of AI, especially for neurodivergent kids. We'll discuss how to use AI for self-directed learning, the importance of maintaining human connection in a digital world, and what red flags to look for in a tech tool. This is a must-listen for any parent trying to make sense of AI. Tune in for an engaging conversation that tackles the tough questions about AI's role in children's lives, offering guidance, hope, and practical tips for navigating this brave new world. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Ready to talk about this and other topics with other parents? Add your name to our DITL community invite list to continue this conversation at our next open house. Looking to catch up on the other episodes in this Tech + Learning Series? Ep. 39 – Screens Aren’t the Enemy: Disconnection is! Ep. 40 – Drop the Shame: The Other Side of Screens with Amanda Diekman Ep. 41 – Documenting Homeschool Learning with AI and Emily Biolsi

We hear it all the time: “But what about socialization?” Socialization for homeschooled kids isn’t just same-aged peer associations and blindly following rules. It’s about nervous system safety, real relationships, and being known and accepted for who you are. Especially for neurodivergent kids, socialization must be safe enough to be meaningful. But that’s not the socialization we’re here to talk about today. This episode is about you—the homeschooling parent. The one navigating the invisible labor of parenting and educating kids with complex needs, while trying to re-parent yourself, manage burnout, and build a life that actually works. And maybe feeling deeply alone in it. If you've ever thought, “Where are the people like me?” or “Why does no one talk about how lonely this is?”—this episode is for you. You’ll hear: Why parent socialization is not optional—it’s vital to your nervous system health, overall wellbeing, and your child’s learning. How isolation shows up in homeschooling—especially when conventional homeschool communities don’t fit. Why the parent is the primary learning environment and what that really means. What kind of community supports deep healing, authentic connection, and sustainable homeschooling. How the Day in the Life (DITL) community is set up to meet you where you are—burnout, busy days, middle-of-the-night Marco Polos and all. Let’s stop pretending we can do this alone. Let’s talk about the kind of socialization you need to thrive. Mentioned in This Episode: Come to our next Day In the Life Open House and see what it looks like to support your homeschool life with a community that gets you. Save your spot for the Open House It’s JULY 29th 1:00-2:30 pm EDT We’ll show you what a real-life, sustainable, child-honoring homeschool actually looks like. Stay connected: Podcast archives: Listen to the rest of this series (ep 42-46) Kelly offers one-on-one coaching and a self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method. There is also Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, for those who prefer community learning, offered twice a year.  Join the waitlist here. Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™ here. At the end of the day, trust your instincts and explore alternatives to what isn’t working! I’d love to connect personally, find me on Instagram. Want to help another parent? Share this episode with a friend who’s been feeling isolated or burned out. Let them know there’s a place for them.

Friend, is your homeschool driven by the fear that your child is falling behind?   Do you find yourself itching to double down on academics—despite your neurodivergent child’s resistance—because that’s what society says learning looks like?   In today’s myth-busting episode, we unpack one of the most pervasive homeschooling fears: that more academic work = more learning. We’ll examine why this belief is misleading, what it overlooks about how learning actually works (especially for neurodivergent kids), and what to do instead when your child is in burnout, shutdown, or full-blown resistance.   If you feel like you’re walking a knife’s edge trying to wear both the “parent” and “teacher” hats, this episode is for you.   What You'll Learn: Why "falling behind" is a school concept, not a developmental truth What resistance actually signals—and why pushing harder backfires What relational neuroscience teaches us about co-regulation and trust in learning Why felt-safety matters more than curriculum What to focus on when learning is shut down Ready to break the cycle of doubt and pushing to power through?   Come to our next Day In the Life Open House and see what it looks like to build a homeschool that works with your child’s nervous system—not against it.   🗓️ Save your spot for the Open House It's JULY 29th 1:00-2:30 pm EDT We’ll show you what a real-life, sustainable, child-honoring homeschool actually looks like.   Stay connected: •Website: 90minuteschoolday.com •Instagram: @90minuteschoolday •Podcast archives: Listen to the rest of this series (ep 42-46)   Share This Episode: Know a friend who’s overwhelmed by homeschool planning or stuck in the schedule spiral? Send this their way. It’s a breath of fresh air—and a much-needed mindset shift. Enjoying the Podcast? Take 5 seconds to rate it or leave a review. This is a fast way to support our work and help other parents find this free resource.

Trying to stick to the plan? Maybe that’s the problem. In part 3 of our mini-series answering the most common homeschooling questions, you’ll hear a no-nonsense episode at what’s really underneath the question of “What should our homeschool schedule look like?”   If you’ve ever built a beautiful schedule only to abandon it two weeks later, you’ll want to tune-in.  Don’t worry, you’re definitely NOT failing—you’re just trying to meet too many needs without enough margin. Let’s talk about why rigid plans rarely work (especially for neurodivergent families), how to shift toward rhythm, and how to start noticing what’s already working in your home.   You’ll also hear how the 90-Minute School Day framework helps families create a flexible container for consistent connection, story, and shared learning—without pressure, overwhelm, or performance.   In this episode, you’ll learn: Why traditional homeschool schedules often backfire The difference between a rhythm and a schedule—and why it matters How to start with a time audit to identify your family’s needs and constraints What it means to co-create a rhythm that respects both your child’s autonomy and your own needs How the 90-Minute School Day framework offers structure without control   Links & Resources: Join the next Day in the Life Open House Want to see how real families are building rhythms that work? Get a behind-the-scenes look at the DITL community. Learn more about the 90-Minute School Day Framework https://90minuteschoolday.com   Share This Episode: Know a friend who’s overwhelmed by homeschool planning or stuck in the schedule spiral? Send this their way. It’s a breath of fresh air—and a much-needed mindset shift.   Enjoying the Podcast? Take 5 seconds to rate it or leave a review. This is a fast way to support our work and help other parents find this free resource.

You don’t need a better curriculum. You need a better question.   If you’ve been wondering which curriculum is best for your child—this episode is for you.   Homeschooling parents often carry the weight of making the “right” choice when it comes to planning, materials, and structure. But what if that whole line of thinking is leading you away from what your child actually needs?   In this second episode of our mini-series answering the most common homeschooling questions, we reframe the search for the perfect curriculum—and offer something far more valuable than a product recommendation: clarity, confidence, and a new approach to homeschooling that honors your child and your real life.   In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the curriculum question creates pressure and overwhelm How to ask better questions that align with your child’s nervous system and strengths What curriculum actually is—and isn’t The role of your relationship, rhythm, and real life in creating learning that lasts How we use curriculum in my home What to do instead of searching for the “perfect” plan     Mentioned in this episode: Join our Day In The Life Open House → https://90minuteschoolday.com/day-in-the-life This free event gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how real families create connected, doable, and flexible homeschooling rhythms. You’ll leave with clarity—not a to-do list.   Get helpful tools + support when you RSVP!   Stay connected: Website: 90minuteschoolday.com Instagram: @90minuteschoolday Podcast archives: Listen to more episodes

“What do I legally have to do to homeschool my child?”   In this clarity-packed mini-episode, Kelly answers one of the most common (and anxiety-inducing) questions from homeschooling parents:   Whether you're just getting started or deep into deschooling, this episode delivers no-nonsense insight into what most laws really require—and why the language is often intentionally vague. Kelly shares how to translate everyday life into valid documentation, why curriculum isn’t always the answer (especially for neurodivergent kids), and how deschooling builds your confidence as an educator and parent.   Plus, she introduces the Day in the Life (DITL) community and invites you to the upcoming Open House on July 29.   What You’ll Learn Where to find your local homeschool laws. What most homeschool laws require (and what they don’t) Why vague legal language is actually a good thing The real reason curriculum often fails at home What deschooling is—and why it’s ongoing Simple, doable ways to track learning without stress Where to find like-minded community for support   Mentioned in This Episode Check your homeschool laws by state or country RSVP for the next DITL Open House   Related episodes: Ep 6 – Unlock Your Child’s Super Powers: The Magic of Observation Ep 10 – Why Don’t Kids Like School? Ep 17 – Put Curriculum in its Place! Ep 21 – Curriculum Conundrum: Dispelling Myths, Embracing Freedom Ep 27 – Curriculum Is For The Uninspired Days with Amy Hughes Ep 43 - Your Answer Is Not In Curriculum   Join the DITL Community An online space for parents pursuing eclectic, self-directed, or natural learning alongside their kids—especially neurodivergent families. Monthly themes, weekly Zooms, video chat via Marco Polo, and a kind, curious community that gets it. Learn more at 90minuteschoolday.com/day-in-the-life/

This is part 3 of our 4-part series on screens, technology, and learning. In today’s episode, I’m joined by my client-turned-friend and founding Day in the Life (DITL) member, Emily Biolsi.   Emily is a former public school teacher with a master's in curriculum design and instruction who now homeschools her two young children with an unschooling, interest-led approach.   Like many of us, she found herself wondering: How do I keep track of all the rich, real learning we’re doing—especially without a curriculum?   Enter: AI.   Listen-in as Emily walks us through exactly how she’s been experimenting with AI as a tool for documenting learning in her homeschool. She shares with us: How she sets up her prompts to reflect her children’s natural learning Ways she uses AI to organize learning for her homeschool portfolio How she asks AI to prompt her—building her own skills in spotting learning moments How to integrate the 90-Minute School Day framework into this reflection process What’s worked, what she’s still playing with, and why it’s all still grounded in human connection first.   This conversation is an invitation to think creatively about tools that might support your homeschooling.   If you’re craving more real-life stories and strategies like this, join us inside the Day in the Life (DITL) community. We continue these conversations weekly and store them in our growing member library.   Want to see what that feels like? Come to our next Day in the Life Open House. We’d love to have you. Click here to RSVP   Part 1 and 2 in the Tech & Learning Series:  • Ep. 39 – Screens Aren’t the Enemy: Disconnection Is!  • Ep. 40 – Drop the Shame: The Other Side of Screens with Amanda Diekman The 90-Minute School Day Framework: Self-Paced Course Work with Kelly: Coaching Be a Guide Not a Teacher, Learn About Guide Training™: Group Coaching

“I did everything they tell you, and I did it perfectly—and it failed me and almost destroyed my child.” — Amanda Diekman, author of Low Demand Parenting   Amanda re-joins the podcast (Ep. 13) for a conversation that challenges everything you’ve been taught to fear about screentime.    This episode was recorded live inside 90-Minute School Day In The Life (DITL) homeschool community, where Amanda dropped in straight from the soccer field and jumped into a vulnerable, grounded discussion about screens, shame, and agency.   Together, we explore: Amanda’s story and why screentime is never just about screentime The hidden cost of control and the harm of “doing it right” What it means to trust your child with their own self-regulation The deep nervous system work involved in loosening limits and dropping demands How unlimited screentime can foster real-life skills, body awareness, and discernment What happens when we stop managing the screen and start supporting the human using it   You’ll also hear anonymized responses from DITL community members about how screentime looks in their homes—showcasing the rich diversity of approaches, and the shared heart of parents trying to lead with love.   This is Part 2 in our 4-part Tech & Learning series, so make sure to check out the other episodes where we explore mindsets, boundaries, using AI in our homeschools, play, and learning in the digital age.   🔗 Links & Resources: Learn more about Amanda Diekman on her website Get Amanda’s book: Low Demand Parenting Listen to Amanda's first conversation with us in Episode 13 of the podcast, "Don't Let Demands Overwhelm You: Less is More" Read Kelly’s story and approach: 90minuteschoolday.com/story Join the DITL interest list: 90minuteschoolday.com/day-in-the-life Get on the waitlist for Guide Training™: 90minuteschoolday.com/guide-training Book 1:1 coaching with Kelly: 90minuteschoolday.com/coaching   💬 Leave a Review Loving the podcast? Share with a friend. Take a moment to rate and review the show—it helps other thoughtful, brave, and curious parents discover this space and feel less alone.  

If the word “screens" or "screen time” makes your shoulders tense up, you’re not alone. 🎧 Hit subscribe—this is the first in a four-part series on tech and learning! In this episode is the invite you need to slow down, tune-in, and reconsider your relationship with technology—especially in the context of homeschooling and neurodivergent learners. From unpacking cultural double standards to exploring how screens can be tools for regulation, creativity, and connection, this episode kicks off a series on screens and learning with nuance, compassion, and curiosity. Together, we explore how deschooling can help us see screens not as a problem to solve—but as a window into our children's worlds. In this episode, you'll learn: The double standard around screen use How deschooling shifts anxiety around screens Screens as tools for regulation and connection What the research also says Screens as a playground for modern kids The shift from limiting to witnessing Self-reflection questions & curiosity prompts Resources Mentioned: Free to Learn by Peter Gray AAP Pediatrics study on media co-engagement Let’s Keep the Conversation Going: Join us inside the Day In The Life community where we’re exploring learning alongside our kids and one another through everyday life. Whether you're raising a teen, a toddler, or a twice-exceptional child, you'll find a thoughtful, supportive space to question, connect, and grow—together. We gather weekly on Zoom and connect daily via asynchronous Marco Polo video chats. If you can't live in a real-life village with fellow homeschoolers … this is the next best thing. Try This at Home: Sit beside your child during screen time this week—not to monitor, but to witness. Ask what they're doing. What lights them up? What are they learning, exploring, or expressing? Then gently reflect: What do you reach for when you need rest, joy, or curiosity?