A Personal Snapshot of Homeschooling Life Amidst Challenges

A glimpse into Lusi's Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 13- and 15-year-old) ~
Written by Lusi Austin from That Homeschool Life

A special note from Jamie: Since 2022, Lusi has been sharing her unique homeschooling journey from Australia, enriching our community with her insights and experiences. Her perspective as a mother managing chronic illness while guiding her children is truly inspiring. Thank you, Lusi, for this authentic portrayal of your life!

*****

As our family enters the 17th year of homeschooling, I find myself reflecting on the changes and challenges we've faced. With three of my children now living independently and fully employed, only two remain at home for their education.

Currently, I'm balancing part-time work in social media from home while also gearing up to begin my own studies next week. Initially, we intended to implement more structure into our routine this year, but as is often the case, that plan quickly unraveled. By the second day of the week, I was hit with symptoms of Covid and ultimately tested positive.

This unexpected turn of events serves as a reminder that life can be messy and unpredictable, especially in a household navigating health challenges.

Lusi’s Homeschool Day with Teenagers

MORNING

Typically, our mornings begin with devotional time and some read-aloud sessions, but today took a different turn. My 15-year-old surprised me by bringing breakfast and coffee to bed.

My 13-year-old, who slept in, also ended up testing positive for Covid. Thankfully, my daughter stepped up, completing her chores and taking over her brother's, ensuring the dogs and chickens were fed.

Once settled, my 13-year-old climbed into bed beside me to proudly show his Design and Technology journal work from the previous day. Though he’s not enthusiastic about writing, he engages when the topic piques his interest.

We dove into his upcoming project, eyeing the rolls of 3D printer filament he’s been saving for. Together, we placed the order online, allowing him to manage the details and even write a follow-up paragraph for his journal.

Meanwhile, Zippi (15) worked through her spelling list and engaged in some creative writing and reading. Zeeki (13) entertained himself by watching Lego videos on a projector he'd set up and later enjoyed an audiobook in his room.

I took advantage of the downtime to tackle some of my work-from-home responsibilities while allowing my body the rest it required.

AFTERNOON

During the afternoon, my doctor sent over a prescription for antivirals, which my husband kindly picked up. I made myself some comforting chicken soup from a treasured family recipe.

My husband also brought home some electrolytes and gluten-free chicken nuggets, which he quickly air-fried. I'm incredibly thankful for my family's support on days like this.

As part of his learning, Mr. 13 completed a Japanese lesson on Duolingo, marking the beginning of his language journey. Meanwhile, Miss 15 celebrated her 146th consecutive day of Spanish lessons.

EARLY EVENING

The weather took a turn as a storm rolled in. As my daughter prepared to cook homemade gluten-free dumplings for dinner, her insulin pump alarm alerted her.

Maneuvering diabetes management is a significant aspect of our daily life, and she adeptly adjusted her pump before returning to her cooking responsibilities.

The dumplings turned out fantastic!

After dinner, the kids spent some time gaming and reading before heading to bed. My husband and I capped off the day by watching a rerun of *Good Doctor*. Thus concluded another day in the life of our homeschooling adventure in 2025.

Life throws unexpected challenges our way—from illness to family struggles—but learning never truly stops. We learn the values of rest, care, and connection.

In the end, all we can do is our best, and that, my friends, is sufficient.

You are enough.

Being together is enough.

Lusi x

Reflecting on Change:

• 2024: Lusi’s Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 12- and 14-year-old)
• 2023: Lusi’s Homeschool Day in the Life (with an 11- and 13-year-old)
• 2022: Lusi’s homeschool day in the life (with a 10-, 12-, 17-, 18-, 19-year-old)

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report tailored to optimize your homeschooling experience!