Homeschool Better Together with Pam Barnhill

Homeschooling Through The Hardest Year Ever

Jul 1, 2025

Karissa Martin, a dedicated homeschooling mom of four, shares her inspiring journey through a challenging year filled with family crises. She explores how she managed to keep homeschooling afloat while juggling significant responsibilities, revealing her do-the-next-thing planning strategy. Karissa emphasizes the importance of asking for help and finding strength in vulnerability. With community support, her children's education not only survived the chaos but thrived, teaching valuable life lessons along the way. Tune in for practical ideas and a hefty dose of encouragement!

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ANECDOTE

Caring for Grandpa Amid Crisis

Karissa cared for her grandfather diagnosed with Parkinson's during hospitalization and hospice.
Despite this crisis, she managed homeschooling by adjusting schedules and prioritizing essential tasks.

ADVICE

Plan Year Flexibly to Avoid Burnout

Plan your homeschool year broadly, focusing on what needs to be done rather than daily tasks.
This flexible planning prevents feeling behind during life disruptions.

ADVICE

Manage Burnout with Support & Rest

Recognize burnout by emotional breakdown and communicate openly with your spouse.
Take restorative time for personal interests like art or gardening to regain energy.

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Ever feel like “life” is just too much to keep homeschooling going? This one’s for you.

I sat down with Karissa Martin, a mom of four, seasoned homeschooler, and expert juggler who, this year alone, faced one family crisis after another: illness, caretaking, and more than a few emotional curveballs. But you know what? Not only did her family make it through, but they actually experienced more growth than they have in years.

We talk about the sandwich generation (yes, it even counts with grandparents), trying to keep homeschool afloat while at the hospital, late-night co-op assignments, and what it really looks like to let your vision and community hold you up when you can’t do it on your own.

Karissa pulls back the curtain on how she hit burnout, learned to finally ask for help, and found a “village” when she needed it most. She also reveals how, even with all the chaos, her kids’ education didn’t just survive…it thrived.

We don’t sugarcoat the messy parts, but you’ll come away with real encouragement, practical ideas for finding your footing in a tough season, and a hefty dose of hope.

What you’ll learn:

How Karissa homeschooled during crisis and family caretaking (without losing her mind)
The do-the-next-thing approach to planning that kept her from feeling behind
Why she now plans her whole homeschool year—spoiler: this saved her bacon
How asking for help (even when it’s hard) changes everything
Life lessons her kids learned from supporting extended family
Why “behind” is almost always in your head
The reality of burnout—and Karissa’s steps for climbing out
The surprising ways community can show up, even when you think you don’t have a village

Resources Mentioned:

Want more help with planning your year, surviving the messy seasons, and connecting with a community that actually gets it? Come join us in our free group!

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt41