Finding the Sweet Spot – Balancing Structure and Flexibility in Your Homeschool
Raising Lifelong Learners
In this week’s episode of the podcast, we dive deep into the tricky tightrope walk of balancing structure and flexibility at home—because let’s be honest, parenting (and homeschooling) neurodivergent kids isn’t for the faint of heart! This episode is your breathe-and-hit-reset permission slip. Here’s a peek at what we covered: Structure is Comforting… Until It Isn’t Structure helps our kids (and us!) feel safe. Predictable routines can seriously reduce anxiety, especially for those with executive functioning challenges, ADHD, autism, or sensory processing issues....
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Nurturing Neurodivergent Friendships: Practical Tips for Parents and Kids
Raising Lifelong Learners
This week on the podcast we're diving into a topic that's near and dear to so many of us: friendships for neurodivergent kids (and yes, for us as parents too). With a new school year kicking into gear, worries about social connection and "finding your people" can rise to the surface—especially for families navigating neurodiversity. What We’re Unpacking This Episode: Why friendships can be challenging for neurodivergent kids (think asynchronous development, sensory sensitivities, social anxiety, or intense interests that aren’t always shared by peers). Supporting your child: From...
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Executive Function Struggles in Homeschooling: Why Smart Kids Can’t Find Their Shoes (and What to Do About It)
Raising Lifelong Learners
This week’s episode of the podcast is all about executive function—what it is, how struggles in these skills show up in homeschoolers, and, most importantly, what you can do at home to support your child as they grow. Whether your child is gifted, twice-exceptional, or has a neurodivergence like ADHD or autism, these ideas are for you. Here are some highlights and key takeaways: Executive function is more than organization. It encompasses a whole set of skills: from planning and prioritizing to task initiation, working memory, emotional regulation, and more. Many neurodivergent...
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Finding Your People | Why Community Matters for Homeschoolers of Neurodivergent Kids
Raising Lifelong Learners
This week on the podcast, Colleen revisited one of the most common, sometimes thorny, and always essential homeschool topics: finding your people and creating a support system, especially when you’re parenting and homeschooling neurodivergent, gifted, or otherwise outside-the-box kiddos. After 17 years on this journey, she can assure you: you’re not alone if building community feels overwhelming at times—whether you’re coming back from a pandemic pause, have tricky past experiences, or your kids just don’t “fit in” with typical local groups. Here are some highlights and key...
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Building Flexible Thinking Skills in Your Neurodivergent Child
Raising Lifelong Learners
This week on the podcast, we dive into a topic close to the hearts of many parents and educators: helping neurodivergent kids build flexible thinking skills. Whether you’re parenting or teaching gifted, 2e, ADHD, autistic, or otherwise wonderfully-wired kiddos, you know that rigid thinking can turn even minor changes into big challenges. You’ll hear real-life stories, practical strategies, and compassionate guidance to help you nurture adaptability—without forcing your kids to just “go with the flow.” Key takeaways from this episode: Validate Their Experience: Begin by...
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Why Decision Making Feels Overwhelming for Neurodivergent Kids and How to Help
Raising Lifelong Learners
This week on the podcast, we’re diving deep into a topic that comes up all the time in our community: helping our neurodivergent kids make decisions. If you’ve ever watched your creative, outside-the-box thinker freeze up over choosing a research topic or panic trying to pick a co-op class, you’re not alone. Decision-making—something that seems so simple—can sometimes send our brilliant kids into full-on meltdown mode. Why is that? And more importantly, what can we do to support them? Why Decisions Are So Hard for Neurodivergent Kids As I shared in this week’s...
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Creative Summer Activities to Strengthen Family Connection and Boost Learning
Raising Lifelong Learners
Summer is here, and with it comes the perfect chance to hit pause on the box-checking frenzy and really connect with our kids. In this week’s episode of the podcast, we dive into one of my favorite topics: creating joyful, low-pressure family memories (without overloading your plate—or your calendar). Why Fun Matters (Even for Year-Round Homeschoolers!) Remember, while academics are important, authentic connection is the real foundation for lifelong learning. When we prioritize laughter, conversation, and shared experiences, our kids build trust, emotional safety, and a love for...
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Beating Homeschool Overwhelm With Heart and Flexibility
Raising Lifelong Learners
This week on the podcast, we get real about something we ALL feel at some point (or every day): OVERWHELM. If you’re juggling year-round homeschooling, multiple ages, neurodivergent needs, big summer transitions, and the regular chaos of life, this episode is for you. Here are some highlights and takeaways: Overwhelm is Normal—You’re Not Alone! Whether it’s decision fatigue, comparing your journey to others, or executive function struggles (for you AND the kids), it’s okay to feel like you can’t do it all. Colleen reminds us: “Homeschooling parents of...
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Easy Ways to Boost Emotional Intelligence During Your Homeschool Day
Raising Lifelong Learners
Today's episode dives deep into the heart of something that’s foundational for our kids (and us too)—emotional intelligence, or EQ. Whether you’re raising a neurodivergent kiddo, a gifted learner, or just want smoother sailing at home, this episode is packed with actionable ideas you can use right away. Why EQ Matters Emotional intelligence is all about recognizing, understanding, and managing our own feelings—and responding thoughtfully to others’. As Colleen shares, EQ helps our kids become effective learners, thinkers, and friends. It’s the foundation for resilience, healthy...
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Busting the Biggest Myths About Homeschooling Neurodivergent Kids
Raising Lifelong Learners
Today's episode is an extra special pep talk for anyone homeschooling—or considering homeschooling—neurodivergent kids. If you’ve ever felt doubtful, heard wild myths, or just wanted some validation, this one is for you! Episode Spotlight: Myth Busting Neurodivergent Homeschooling Have you heard these before? “Neurodivergent kids need experts, not parents.” “Homeschooled kids won’t be socialized.” “They’ll have too many gaps or fall behind.” “Homeschooling will make anxiety or emotional struggles worse.” “You have to do it alone.” We'll tackle...
info_outlineIn this week's episode, we talk about the Columbus Group's definition of giftedness as asynchronous development—a combination of advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity that requires modifications in parenting and teaching.
This unique development makes our children particularly vulnerable, demanding that we think outside the box.
So, what does this mean for us as homeschooling parents? It means we have the opportunity to enrich our children's learning experiences far beyond what a traditional school setting can offer. We can customize education to meet our children's individual needs and foster a love for learning that embraces their strengths and supports their weaknesses.
Key Takeaways:
- Adjust Your Expectations: Embrace the fact that your child will excel in some areas and may need additional support in others. Celebrate their unique strengths and work on shoring up their weaknesses using their interests.
- Customize Education: Instead of relying on boxed curricula, consider using placement tests and mixing different curriculum options to suit your child's diverse learning levels.
- Find Intellectual Peers: Intellectual peers are crucial for gifted kids. Seek opportunities for your child to interact with others who share similar interests or intellectual abilities, whether through online classes, gifted programs, or local meetups.
- Support Emotional Growth: Help your child learn emotional regulation skills and teach them how to manage frustration, using their passions to tackle areas of struggle.
- Enhance Executive Function Skills: Structure your child’s day with checklists or planners and break tasks into small, manageable steps. Celebrate progress over perfection.
- Parenting a gifted child isn't always easy, but remember—you are not alone, and your efforts are creating a nurturing environment where your child can thrive.
Get the Book
For a deeper dive into these transformative concepts, don’t forget to grab my new book, The Homeschool Advantage, where you can explore chapter six and beyond. It’s a fantastic resource filled with actionable advice for homeschool educators.
Links and Resources from Today’s Episode
Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math
- The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners
- The Homeschool Advantage: A Child-Focused Approach to Raising Lifelong Learners Audiobook
- Raising Lifelong Learners Membership Community – The Learners Lab
- Raising Resilient Sons by Colleen Kessler, M.Ed.
- The Anxiety Toolkit
- Homeschool Curriculum for Your Asynchronous Gifted Learner
- Meeting the Asynchronous Needs of Your Gifted Child
- RLL #77: Asynchronous Development in Gifted Children
- RLL 24: Asynchrony, Intensity, and Motivation | A Listener Question
- Homeschooling Gifted Children | Meeting Asynchronous Abilities
- Asynchronous Development in Gifted Children
- What Does a Gifted Child Look Like?
- Embracing Interest-Led Homeschooling with Lydia Rosado
- Navigating Intensity and Giftedness | Insights from Christine Fonseca
- 100 Hints That Your Child May Be Gifted
Connect with Colleen
You can find Colleen on Twitter @ColleenKessler, Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners, Instagram @ColleenKessler