What happens when vaccine mandates, school regulations, and a mama’s intuition collide? In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany, a homeschool mom of almost-seven-year-old twin boys in West Virginia and an occupational therapist who now serves the homeschool community.

Tiffany shares how COVID, vaccine requirements, and a strong Christian conviction opened the door to homeschooling—not just for her twin boys, but for her stepkids too. We talk about co-ops, jujitsu, piano lessons, state requirements, and why “freedom” is the first word that comes to mind when she thinks of home education.

As an OT, Tiffany also dives into reflex integration—how primitive reflexes can affect things like handwriting, reading, attention, picky eating, emotional regulation, and why some kids “can’t sit still” no matter how hard they try. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this just a phase, or does my child actually need help?” this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Homeschooling energetic twin boys with totally different strengths
• Navigating co-ops, church life, and daily rhythms in West Virginia
• How vaccine mandates and religious convictions pushed some families toward homeschooling
• The difference between classical education and programs like Classical Conversations
• West Virginia vs. New York homeschool requirements (portfolio reviews, testing, paperwork)
• What pediatric occupational therapy actually is for homeschoolers
• Reflex integration 101 and how unintegrated reflexes can show up as
  • Poor handwriting
  • Trouble sitting still
  • Visual scanning issues when reading
  • Picky eating, chewing on clothes/pencils
  • Big emotions and meltdowns
• Why it’s okay to ask for help and build your “village” as a homeschool parent

Connect with Tiffany:

Www.agapelove.com

Facebook: The Homeschool OT, Tiffany Parsons

Other therapy resources:

Www.HomeschoolOT.com

Facebook: The Homeschool OT, Sarah Collins

Harkla (parent trainings): https://harkla.co/?rfsn=8716597.365cfae

Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer

Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12.

📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.

Support the show

Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast
Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Jem from Australia, a homeschooling mom of four navigating autism, ADHD, sensory needs, school refusal, and neurodivergent learning—and doing it all with honesty, humor, and so much heart.

Jem shares why her family left the traditional school system, how her kids went from daily meltdowns and sensory overwhelm to peaceful mornings and learning at their own pace, and why unschooling naturally became the approach that finally worked.

We talk about:
• What homeschooling looks like for autistic and ADHD learners
• Why school refusal isn’t “defiance”—it’s dysregulation
• The surprising benefits of late-morning starts, slow mornings, and interest-led learning
• How volunteering at an animal rescue farm completely changed her daughter’s confidence
• Creating sensory-friendly learning spaces at home
• Using fidgets, wobble seats, chewing tools, trampolines, and pets for regulation
• Transitioning out of curriculum and into a more intuitive, child-led rhythm
• How homeschooling reconnects families and helps kids thrive emotionally
• The differences between public school vs. homeschool in Australia
• What new homeschool parents REALLY need to hear before they begin

If you’re parenting a neurodivergent child, exploring unschooling, or wondering whether homeschooling can truly support special needs, this episode will give you encouragement, perspective, and a whole lot of validation.

✨ Connect with Jem:
Jem's Facebook

Jem's Instagram

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Learn more about Green Ember: Helmer in the Dragon Tomb—the new prequel book from S. D. Smith—and explore the companion video game now available on Steam: sdsmith.com/helmer

Perfect for parents seeking meaningful, courage-building stories for kids ages 8–12.

*** A Connected Christmas Unit Study! Start making Christmas memories today!!

📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.

Support the show

Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast
Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast

In this powerful episode, Cheryl sits down with Anya, a seasoned mom who made the courageous choice to pull her son out of school during a season of deep grief — and discovered that unschooling was the unexpected key to his healing, growth, and confidence.

Anya shares how losing her son’s father, navigating the chaos of COVID schooling, and tuning into her child’s emotional needs led her to take full ownership of her family’s educational path. What followed included incredible personal growth, restored mental health, and the realization that children often learn more outside the system than inside it.

Together we explore:
• How unschooling helped her son recover emotionally and academically
• Why children can easily return to public school without “falling behind”
• The impact of grief, trauma, and stress on learning
• Why emotional intelligence matters more than worksheets
• Homeschool myths that keep parents scared
• Real-life skills kids actually need (and how school suppresses them)
• The hidden pressures on parents from schools, doctors & society
• Why confidence, connection, and slow childhood matter more than curriculum

If you’re considering homeschooling, curious about unschooling, or questioning the one-size-fits-all school system, this episode will give you permission to trust yourself — and your child — more deeply.

Connect with Anya: www.theangelwearsprana.com
Instagram
Youtube
Facbook

A Connected Christmas Unit Study! Start making Christmas memories today!!

📘 The Homeschool How To Complete Starter Guide
Thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Cheryl created this comprehensive guide, compiling insights from interviews with over 120 homeschooling families across the country. From navigating state laws to balancing work and home life — this eBook covers it all. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling confident on your homeschooling journey.

Support the show

Instagram: TheHomeschoolHowToPodcast
Facebook: The Homeschool How To Podcast