This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Homeschool and Life Balance with Natalie Burton.

Feeling overwhelmed as you start your homeschool year? Join Vicki and our friend, Natalie Burton as we discuss the secret to homeschool and life balance. (Hint: it is less about perfection and more about grace, faith, and flexibility.)

Natalie Burton’s story is both inspiring and relatable. Homeschooled from second grade through graduation. As a child, Natalie initially resisted the idea of homeschooling but soon grew to love the freedom and personalized learning it offered. 

Now, Natalie is a second generation homeschooler! From the outset, she made it clear to her husband that homeschooling was non-negotiable for her. He has been a supportive partner throughout their five years of homeschooling. The journey into homeschooling was not without its challenges, but it has been a fulfilling and faith-driven experience.

BTW: We have interviewed several second generations on Homeschool Highschool Podcast:

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• The Blackwoods from Unlock Math
  
• Katie Waalkes
  
• Amy Sloan
  

Natalie’s approach to balancing homeschooling with life is refreshingly honest:

“When people talk about balance, I don’t know what that is!”

Instead, it’s about discerning what needs attention in each season and being willing to shift focus as needed. She emphasizes the importance of leaning on the Lord for guidance and strength, acknowledging that some seasons will demand more from certain areas of life than others.

Natalie’s experience has taught her that striving for perfection is futile. Instead, she has learned to embrace the messiness of life, allowing herself and her children the grace to grow and learn at their own pace.

This philosophy is liberating, especially for homeschool moms who may feel pressured to do it all and do it perfectly!

One of the key takeaways from Natalie’s story is the importance of grace – both for oneself and for one’s children. Early in her homeschooling journey, she felt out of control and constantly stressed about not meeting her own high expectations. 

However, as she grew in her faith, she realized that perfection was not the goal. Instead, she learned to trust in God’s plan, even when it didn’t align with her own. 

This shift in mindset not only improved her homeschooling experience but also brought more peace and joy into her family life.

Natalie’s homeschooling method reflects this grace-filled approach. She allows her children the freedom to learn in ways that suit their individual styles, whether that means following a traditional curriculum or taking a break to color and recharge. 

She’s also a firm believer in year-round homeschooling, which gives her family the flexibility to take breaks as needed without being tied to a strict schedule.

As someone who was homeschooled herself, Natalie is passionate about passing on the same positive experiences to her children. 

She recalls her own homeschooling days fondly. Her education was filled with opportunities to explore her interests, from reading voraciously to conducting science experiments and embarking on outdoor adventures. 

These experiences instilled in her a love of learning and a deep appreciation for the freedom that homeschooling provides.

Now, as a homeschool mom with four children, Natalie continues to foster that same environment of exploration and curiosity. She also places a strong emphasis on community, ensuring that her children are part of an umbrella school group where they can build friendships and participate in enriching activities. 

Looking ahead, she plans to continue this approach as her children enter their homeschool high school years, with a focus on helping her teens balance between academics, social experiences, and the freedom to explore their individual interests.

In addition to homeschooling, Natalie also works as a virtual assistant, a role that perfectly complements her strengths in organization and flexibility. 

She shares how this opportunity fell into her lap and has since become a significant part of her life, allowing her to contribute financially while still being present for her children. 

Her advice to other working homeschool moms is to choose something that aligns with their strengths and passions, which makes balancing work and family life more manageable.

Natalie’s story is a powerful reminder that homeschooling and life balance is less about achieving perfection and more about leaning into God’s grace, being flexible, and prioritizing what truly matters in each season. Her journey offers encouragement to all homeschool moms who are navigating the complexities of family life, work, and education, showing that it is possible to find joy and peace in the midst of it all.

Thank you for Seth Tillman for editing this podcast and for Richie Soares with Homeschool and Humor for writing this blog post!

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