Am I doing enough?
Every homeschool parent worries about this...but it doesn't have to be that way. Come join us in With Community, where homeschool parents do less with confidence.
Imagine this...
What would it be like to homeschool free from worry and doubt? To feel connected with your kids and confident you are giving them what they need in this season?
To feel like you're not alone?
It's not your fault you're worried about falling behind...
Chances are, you grew up in public school like me - I even taught in it for five years. And even for those who don't have a lifetime of personal experience in school, we are engulfed in school culture. We live in a society that believes children are empty vessels to be filled.
Your worries are a product of our culture's values and factory style learning.
Filling kids up with facts and keeping them compliant
Growth at an unwavering upward trajectory
Literacy as the most valuable skill over all else
Conveyor belt efficiency in education
Slogging through work (fun means something is unimportant)
Well-roundedness (being the same amount of good at everything)
But when I look at my own kids (and yours!) I see a completely different picture of authentic learning.
Natural curiosity from birth
Growth that's a mixture of plateaus, regressions, steady forward progress, and sudden "switch flipping" mastery
Pulling from a variety of disciplines to learn new skills
Inefficient lingering and marveling at small wonders
Joyful eagerness to take action
Many different skills developing at different rates
What kind of education do you want to give your child?
Your child is not merely one of a thousand products on a conveyor belt. She is not an empty vessel to be filled.
Your child is hard-wired to be curious. Isn't she worthy of a custom, intentional, perfectly paced learning experience?
The school culture tells us that "keeping up" is the top priority.
But when it comes right down to it...that probably isn't what's most important to your family, is it?
Maybe you're not sure...and that's okay. I can help.
I loved doing all the things.
I'm Laura Swain, a former teacher turned homeschool mom of four - and an accidental unschooler.
The best lesson I’ve been learning in my life is that peace, confidence, and freedom are amplified in my life when I trust the Lord’s provision instead of my own, and do less.
I am interested in a lot of things. In a perfect world I would enjoy learning about homesteading, Bible teaching, embroidery, hugelkultur, crochet, weaving, watercolor, sourdough, freeze drying, building a passive greenhouse, Shakespeare, piano, the Russian Revolution, and Australia (I just found out it’s really big).
But through a long season of survival mode with little kids and unexpected physical limitations, God taught me to be satisfied in Him, not my interests. To trust His leading and plan, not my own. To be still and see - really, really see - the blessings in front of me instead of always thinking about what’s ahead.
Now I am saying no to a lot of good things in order to focus on the best things for my family in this season.
And it is truly amazing.
Slowness isn't just okay - it's a sign of great care and attention.
It is possible for you to step off the conveyor belt and into a purposeful, peace-filled homeschool life, where slowness is a sign of care and attention.
You can break free from wondering if you're doing "enough" and choose a different, better way to measure success.
This is just the beginning for you.
I'm ready to believe in you more than you believe in yourself.
Because you're a born learner, your growth is inevitable. But it can be hard to remember that in the thick of tough times.
It is inevitable to hit obstacles throughout the year. The difference in With Community is that we face them together and move through them with confidence, knowing they are temporary and conquerable.
This is just the beginning for your family.
Imagine the ripple effect of your ongoing momentum and mindset shifts.
When I am choosy about my priorities and focus on the most important things, there is time for connection with my family.
When I am confident in who God created me to be, and what He calls me to do in this season, my children grow up confident of these things, too.
When I reject the culture’s push for me to do more, my kids will grow up certain that always striving for “more” isn’t the way to satisfaction and fulfillment.
The answer isn't
more.
The answer is
with.
Homeschool parents like you are breaking free from worry and guilt - together.
Melissa
I joined WITH the 2nd year homeschooling and Laura has helped me feel seen and understood. Something I desperately needed.
Susan
I’ve found a healthier balance between my and my children’s needs. I know that WITH community has helped me stay focused on my top priorities: what really matters.
Jeanette
Thanks to With Community, I feel more confident when backing up our decision to home school our children to the community at large.
Jessica
The community is rich with wisdom and encouragement and other moms who do or have felt exactly like you do in this season. Laura and community have helped me so much.
What exactly is
With Community?
First, let me tell you what it's not...
An extra responsibility to add to your already full schedule.
A curriculum resource to support you in a particular academic subject.
Just for unschoolers who choose not to use curriculum.
With Community is made up of homeschool parents just like you. We learn and grow together so we can fight the powerful tide of school culture that tells us we aren't _________ enough to educate our kids.
With Community members get some good stuff...
When you join With Community you get access to...
Monthly Zoom calls to connect with other members
On the call we celebrate progress, have a little fun, and have a discussion about the month’s theme. This point of connection is a way for us to stay connected and feels empowering - when you join, you are an important part of our community and your voice in these conversations matters!
Monthly teaching videos to help you take action
These are pre-recorded and super short (typically 3 to 8 minutes) so they are digestible and don’t require much of your time. The videos focus on a topic previously chosen by the group. Imagine getting clear, concise direction about things that matter to you. These videos will give you tiny spurts of energy, education, and encouragement about the things that are weighing on your mind or making you feel stuck.
Homeschool parents just like you
This is a private Facebook group of homeschool parents who have decided they don’t want “enough” to be the mark of success in their homeschool. In the group, members chat about the monthly theme, share questions, ask advice, joke together, and give encouragement. It’s a place you can go when you need to talk to someone who “gets it.”
Forget isolation. The homeschoolers in our community are nice ninjas who are taking imperfect action. You will feel inspired and connected when you see what’s going on in their lives and reach out for encouragement or advice.
Exclusive hub that keeps content organized
The membership hub is a searchable website to help you find videos about whatever topic matters most to you right now. This is where teaching videos and Zoom recordings live, as well as printable resources. The search function helps you focus your time and energy on your next right step so you can beat overwhelm and keep moving forward.
This matters because the powerful search here is the difference between a wall of content looming large over you and a custom-picked video that’s exactly what you need right now. Picture a homeschool butler who goes to fetch whatever bit of wisdom you ask for - that’s what the hub is!
Ongoing support + encouragement from me
When homeschoolers meet with me they often say “I wish we could chat more than once a year!” Well, this is the perfect way to do that! I am in the Facebook group regularly and send out special members-only emails as well. Imagine how quickly you’ll move through setbacks when you have me cheering you on.
We spend time on things
that matter most to you right now.
Just like I encourage you to pick what matters most to your family in each season, I do the same in With Community. Each month in With Community we spend time on a topic that matters to you. Members influence what the monthly themes are! In the past we have learned about:
Homeschool styles
The difference between them and how to choose what works for you.
Reflection
Its bearing on your homeschool longevity and joy and how to incorporate it into your life.
Rhythm
How to build one that's focused, sustainable, and flexible - and why it's important to read signals that it's time for a change.
Friends
How to lean into onlnine community for support, how to find homeschool friends in real life, what starting a co-op looks like, and more.
Self-care
How self-care that sustains us is more than massages. Dealing with inner doubts about our significance and worth is the first step to care that trickles into our families, too.
Fun
Understanding its value and necessity, and some invitations to practice it!
When you join With Community you get access to all past member call recordings and special training videos, as well as printable resources.
But there’s even more up ahead!
Here's what's coming up in With Community.
April: Order + Flow
When is it best to nudge your kids to persevere through hard things? And when is it best to give them space and grace? This is one of the most frequently discussed topics in the homeschool world and we will spend the month working through a process to help you navigate this balance in your own home. Plus, I'll share a mindset shift that can change everything about how you approach this ongoing struggle!
May: Transformation Celebration!
It's the traditional end of the school year, and though many With members homeschool year round (or unschool altogether), it's a fun time to celebrate each family's progress. I'll lead the group in a reflection that will culminate in a virtual celebration of our growth and transformation. In our fast-paced culture it's normal to move forward from one thing to the next. But when we zip on through, we miss the growth that's right in front of us! It's worth it to pause and celebrate!
June: Connection for today and tomorrow
Connecting with our kids is our primary responsibility and the foundation of any momentum we achieve as a family. We'll examine how much it matters now...and how it will pay off later, too. We'll also go throug some practical, easy to use prompts to challenge you to connect with your kids in simple, everyday ways.
July: Move toward adventure
This is a month for physical movement, as well as a time to open our hearts to the magic of spontaneity and adventure. See the beauty that's possible when we hold our plans a little more loosely! Members will be encouraged to share what's working for them when it comes to outdoor fun and an adventure mindset. Simply stepping out the front door is going to create so many homeschool memories for our kids!
August: Simplify Your Homeschool Challenge
With members get complimentary access to the third annual SYHS Challenge. We'll go back to the basics about who we are, who our kids are, and what learning actually is. August is full of FOMO and worries start to crep in when we see the school bus passing by each day. Let's start the year off with renewed conviction! The last two years homeschoolers have had a truly electric experience in this week long sprint and this year I'm pulling out some tweaks to make it even better!
There's more!
Check out these juicy bonuses!
VIP access to booking for spring consults + portfolio reviews
Before I open booking to the public in March, With Community members get first dibs.
Last spring my slots filled in one week. As a member of With, you won’t have to worry about whether you’ll get in…having certainty that you can use me for your Ohio portfolio review will bring you peace of mind!
Free pass to sprints and challenges
With Community members get invited to online challenges like Simplify Your Homeschool at no cost.
These sprints are paced differently than the rest of the membership and give you a boost of adrenaline to make mindset shifts and take quick action.
Doubt is normal for homeschoolers. But it doesn't have to be.
When you encounter setbacks, do you freeze in fear?
I used to do that, too!
I know what it's like to battle perfectionism. I've been fighting it my entire life. But it was when I became a mom (and only after lots of prayer!) that I finally found victory.
This victory is possible for you, too. I see threads pop up in homeschool groups where well-meaning homeschool vets say "Oh, I am 30 years in and I still worry if I'm doing enough! It just means you love your kids!"
That is baloney. You can love your kids without fretting over their progress.
Doing less can seem scary at first.
You can walk tall knowing that you are doing what's best for your family.
School culture tells us that we can fix all our problems by doing more. How freeing that the opposite is true!
Just like dripping water can erode an enormous boulder, cynics and critics around you may persist and erode your confidence.
But that criticism can't touch you if you're surrounded by a community that's committed to doing things differently.
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES.
When you are connected with a strong community, you can homeschool with peace + confidence.
Want even more support?
I've got something super special just for you!
For the first time...
Upgrade your With Community experience with customized 1:1 coaching. Here's how it will work...
Once a month you'll be able to reach out to me on Marco Polo, a video chat app.
I'll respond within a week and we may go back and forth again. I'll help lift you up so you can see your struggle from a bird's eye view. I'll redirect you to the truth about learning. And then I'll share the next right step you can take, and maybe ask some questions to help you reflect.
Each month we'll repeat this process! And as you move forward with new insight you'll know exactly what to do. Your confidence will soar. And you'll know with certainty how to make this homeschool life work for your family.
I've only offered this coaching package once before, and I'm not certain I will offer it again.
One hour of coaching with me is currently $350, which puts the value of this upgrade at $4,200. But you can snag it for a fraction of that...
With Community Coaching Package
Get full access to With Community (and all its amazing benefits!) PLUS monthly Marco Polo coaching conversations with me.
SPOTS ARE LIMITED
Or you can enjoy With Community on its own!
You get to decide.
Doors are open til 11:59pm on April 18.
Monthly
Most flexible.
$35
a month
Tight-knit Facebook community
Monthly Zoom chats
Searchable hub of homeschool videos
Ongoing support from Laura in the FB group
Bonus: VIP early access to 1:1 booking
Bonus: free pass to online challenges
Annual
best value!
$300
a year
Tight-knit Facebook community
Monthly Zoom chats
Searchable hub of homeschool videos
Ongoing support from Laura in the FB group
Ongoing support from Laura
Bonus: VIP early access to 1:1 booking
Bonus: free pass to online challenges
PLUS...
Save $120/year! (That's nearly 4 months free!!!)
30% discount on coaching, consults, and resources
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
No. While our focus isn't on faith, I am a believer and love following Jesus...I also believe that the Holy Spirit He's given me is the only source of strength and grace I have. We have a mix of Christians and non-Christians in With Community.
Nope! You are welcome no matter what approach you choose to homeschool your kids. Many of us like to pull from a variety of approaches.
If you decide you'd like to leave within 14 days of joining, you get your money back! If you're a monthly member, you can cancel anytime. Annual members who decide to cancel after the first 14 days will keep access to the membership for the rest of the year, then have no payments taken thereafter.
Homeschool parents are busy people! And our core value in With: do less with confidence. I will share specific tips with you about how to get the most of the membership, how to build connection into your regular rhythm, and how to bounce back away from us members toward your own people as you apply what you've learned. This is definitely not designed to take up a lot of your time or energy.
