Beating Homeschool Overwhelm With Heart and Flexibility

Release Date: 07/09/2025

Sensory Struggles and Clothes: How to Help Your Child Dress Without Tears

Raising Lifelong Learners

We know mornings can feel like a battlefield when sensory issues and clothing collide, leaving kids (and parents!) frustrated before the day even begins. That’s why this week’s podcast episode dives into the heart of sensory struggles with clothes. Colleen has packed this episode with real-life advice for families navigating tactile sensitivities. If getting dressed feels like wrestling a porcupine, you’re not alone—and you’re not failing! Sensory struggles are REAL signals from your child’s nervous system. Sometimes clothes feel prickly, itchy, or unexpectedly uncomfortable and it...

Navigating Sensory Overload: Actionable Strategies for Kids in Loud Environments

Raising Lifelong Learners

This episode continues our sensory series, diving deep into the world of Sensory Sound, with actionable strategies for supporting sensitive kids wherever you go. Why Are Loud Spaces So Overwhelming? Colleen unpacks how unpredictable peaks in sound, bustling crowds, harsh lighting, and layered sensory inputs can overload sensitive nervous systems. Whether it’s a mic popping at announcements, the hum of the HVAC, or the swirl of cafeteria chatter—these environments can quickly become “too much.” Building a Predictable Noise Plan—Step by Step This episode is all about taking back...

Building a Sensory Diet Toolbox for Neurodivergent Kids at Home

Raising Lifelong Learners

In today's episode, Colleen breaks down what a sensory diet is (and isn’t!), why it matters, and how to get started with simple, safe, and low-prep strategies that work in any space—even if your house is bursting at the seams. Here’s what you’ll find inside: A breakdown of the five key sensory systems: proprioceptive, vestibular, tactile, oral motor, and auditory/visual. Ideas for easy, everyday sensory activities: From “squeezy hugs” and wall pushups to crashing into beanbags, squishing play doh, sipping yogurt through a straw, and more—no fancy equipment required! How to...

Why Is Finishing So Hard? Helping Neurodivergent Kids Cross the Finish Line

Raising Lifelong Learners

Let’s be honest: if your kiddos leave a trail of half-finished projects, open browser tabs, and idea explosions in their wake, you are SO not alone. Neurodivergent kids (and their amazing, multitasking moms!) can struggle with seeing things through—not because they’re lazy or unmotivated, but because the finish line often feels fuzzy, overwhelming, or just plain boring. In this week’s episode, we're unpacking: Why finishing is tough for neurodivergent kiddos, whether it’s next-step anxiety, perfectionism, time blindness, or working memory hurdles. The power of “done...

Why Typical Organization Systems Fail Neurodivergent Homeschoolers and What Works Instead

Raising Lifelong Learners

This episode is packed with real, practical strategies for getting (and staying) organized, especially for families homeschooling neurodivergent kids or anyone who simply bristles at traditional organization systems. We all know the struggle: out of sight = out of mind. Those neat folders and tucked-away systems might work for some, but for kids (and parents!) with ADHD, executive dysfunction, or asynchronous learning styles, they often fizzle by October. Instead, we’re embracing OPEN, VISIBLE, and EASY-TO-ACCESS systems that truly work for the way our brains (and our kids’ brains) are...

When Working Memory Looks Like Defiance

Raising Lifelong Learners

As part of the ongoing Executive Function series on the podcast, this week's episode dives into the essential (and often misunderstood) skill of working memory—how it impacts neurodivergent learners and what we can do to help. If your child loses track of multi-step instructions, forgets a task mid-way, or gets overwhelmed by routines, you’re not alone—and it’s not simply forgetfulness. It’s about the way their brain processes and stores information moment-to-moment. Key Takeaways: Make Instructions Visible & Bite-Sized: Use a Working Memory Command Center (think:...

Understanding Task Initiation in Neurodivergent Homeschoolers

Raising Lifelong Learners

If you tuned into this week’s episode, you know we’re in the thick of our executive function series—and this time, we took a deep dive into a challenge so many neurodivergent kiddos (and their parents!) know all too well: getting started. Task initiation can feel impossible for kids who are gifted, twice-exceptional, ADHD, autistic, anxious, or just generally outside-the-box thinkers. They might be able to talk your ear off about their passions, but ask them to start a five-minute worksheet, and it’s like hitting a brick wall. Sound familiar? Here’s the thing: your child isn’t...

Morning Routines That Work: Flexible Approaches for Gifted and Neurodivergent Kids

Raising Lifelong Learners

Struggling with chaotic mornings—especially with neurodivergent, gifted, or twice-exceptional kiddos? You’re not alone! This week's episode of the podcast dives deep into practical strategies for establishing morning routines that truly work for your unique family. Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode: Ditch the “One-Size-Fits-All” Approach: Neurodivergent kids break the mold! Traditional checklists and rigid schedules can actually increase stress. Instead, focus on finding rhythms and anchors that guide your morning rather than the clock. Externalize Time &...

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....

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...

More Episodes

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 neurodivergent kids—overwhelm is expected. This is normal.”
Reframe Success Success is NOT getting every single lesson checked off or enforcing perfect handwriting by sixth grade. It’s about making progress, fostering curiosity, connecting with your kids, and staying flexible. Celebrate the little wins and focus on connection over perfection.
Embrace Flexibility (and Ice Cream for Dinner!) Sometimes you have to toss the plan and go for ice cream, or ditch the math lesson in favor of a walk or a snuggle with a documentary. Homeschooling gives us permission to prioritize what matters most in that moment—connection, not just curriculum.
Community Matters You’re not meant to do this alone. Colleen invites you to join the free space in The Learner’s Lab for support, conversation, and a judgment-free zone to connect with other parents who get it.
Remember Your Why Homeschooling is a loving, intentional choice, especially for neurodivergent kiddos who need something different. On hard days, revisit your original “why”—it can help ground you and remind you of the long-term wins.

Raising your kids at home is messy and beautiful. So take a deep breath, let go of the guilt, and remember: You are the perfect parent for your kids, and they are the perfect kids for you.

Links and Resources from Today’s Episode

Our sponsor for today’s episode is CTC Math

Connect with Colleen
You can find Colleen on Twitter @ColleenKessler, Facebook @RaisingLifelongLearners, Instagram @ColleenKessler

Links and Resources from Today’s Episode

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