90-Minute School Day

Ep. 30 - Boundaries 101: Raising Confident Learners with Liana Francisco

Meet Liana Francisco—a grown unschooler, homeschooling mom to two neurodivergent kids (one who is PDA), multi-passionate entrepreneur, and parent coach. Together, we dive deep into the essential topic of boundaries and how they can transform your homeschooling experience.
We explore why boundaries matter, how they protect your energy, and their vital role in raising confident, self-directed learners.
Liana shares practical strategies for managing fears around homeschooling, setting clear expectations with extended family—especially during the holidays—and finding clarity amidst the overwhelm.
This episode is packed with insights to help you approach homeschooling and unschooling with confidence, calm, and leadership.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Hear from Liana what it was like growing up unschooled
How things are different now that she's unschooling her kids
Why boundaries are essential for homeschooling parents
What is involved to raise a confident learner and how to define success
Tips for navigating family dynamics and setting boundaries during the holiday season
Links and Resources:
Boundary Scripts for the Holidays 
Learn more about Liana Francisco and her work on Instagram
Join the Day in the Life Community: 90minuteschoolday.com/day-in-the-life/
Interested in transforming your homeschooling?
Learn about Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, to begin or deepen your deschooling, offered twice a year.  
One-on-one coaching with Kelly
Self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method.
Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.
Follow Kelly on Instagram
Let’s Stay Connected:If this episode resonated with you, please consider rating the podcast and leaving a review! Your feedback helps us reach more parents who need encouragement and support on their homeschooling journey.

Ep. 29 - Meet Your Natural Learner with Leah McDermott

Ready to explore the transformative power of child-led learning?
Meet Leah McDermott, an unschooling mom of three, former educator, grown homeschooler, and natural learning advocate. In this episode, Leah shares her unique journey from being homeschooled to teaching in the traditional classroom to unschooling, where she discovered that play, curiosity, trust, and connection are the true catalysts for deep and meaningful education.
Join us as we dive into the heart of natural learning, discussing why recognizing your child’s innate strengths, talents, and interests is essential to unlocking their full potential. 
Key Takeaways:
From Classroom to Natural Learning: Leah’s personal story behind why she left behind conventional teaching and it’s methods to embrace the freedom of unschooling, and how it transformed her children’s learning experiences and the experiences of family.
Natural Development & Play: How understanding the natural stages of human development can help parents better support their children’s learning, and why play is an essential part of this process.
Strengths, Intelligences, and Interests: How to identify and nurture your child’s unique learning style by observing what sparks their curiosity, personal shares, and how these strengths intersect with their emotional and intellectual growth.
Educational Trauma & Healing: Leah discusses the subtle ways traditional education can create "educational trauma" and how a natural learning approach fosters healing by focusing on trust, nervous system safety, and connection.
Practical Tips: Simple, actionable strategies for parents to create a learning environment that honors their child’s individuality, while avoiding the pressure of meeting conventional expectations.
Whether you're new to homeschooling or simply looking to deepen your connection with your child, Leah’s wisdom will inspire you to trust the process, embrace the journey, and see learning through a new lens. This episode is a call to let go of educational checklists and instead celebrate the joy of learning naturally, together.
Connect with Leah: Leah is an unschooling mom of three adventurous boys who thrive in nature. With a background in education, including two Master’s degrees in Reading and Curriculum, Leah shifted her focus from traditional teaching to embrace the world of natural learning at home. Today, she empowers families globally to rediscover the joy of learning through nature, play, and child-led exploration.
You can find Leah on Instagram @yournaturallearner, listen to her podcast, The Diary of An Unschooler, or connect via her website bridgeacademy.us.
Episode Resources:
Read about Kirsten Olson’s research on 7 school wounds (educational trauma) in this article by Dr. Peter Gray
Learn more about Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences in this article.
Join Day In The Life Community!  If you’re an eclectic homeschooler or unschooler looking for daily community and support, this is for you. Connect with fellow homeschooling parents weekly on Zoom and daily in small groups. Share your homeschooling journey, overcome fears, celebrate successes, and find the resources you need to build relationships, understanding, and connection.
Learn about Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, to begin or deepen your deschooling, offered twice a year.  
One-on-one coaching
Self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method.
Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.
 

Ep. 28 - Living is Learning: Why Life Beats School

In this episode, we break down the common pressures and fears many homeschool parents face—like the belief that we need to teach everything or cover every topic from kindergarten to high school. I explain why that simply isn’t true and how embracing life as learning, rather than following a rigid scope and sequence, can be more effective for your child’s growth and development.
We explore:
The School Mindset Trap: How to shift away from replicating traditional school methods.
Natural Learners: How children naturally learn through play, observation, and real-world experiences.
Learning is a Learned Behavior: the importance of teaching kids how to learn, rather than focusing solely on facts.
Breaking Free from the Conventional School Framework: Why mastering a scope and sequence isn’t necessary for success.
The "Village" Approach: How our Day In the Life (DITL) community creates a supportive, collaborative environment for homeschooling parents to grow and learn together.
Learning happens best when it's rooted in interests, meaning, real-life problem-solving, and connected relationships. So, take a breath, and know that living is learning, and it’s more than enough. If you want to explore this approach with a community of like-minded families, join our Day In the Life community today!
Resources and Links:
Harvard Business Review article on learning skills
Learn more about Day In the Life and join our virtual village
Referenced Experts:
Ben Richards, award-winning playwright and educator, known for his TED Talk on human sympathy and how it transforms learning environments.
Barbara Oakley, PhD, PE is an educator, author, and thought leader in the fields of learning, neuroplasticity, and skill acquisition. 
90-Minute Schoo Day Resources:
Learn about Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, to begin or deepen your deschooling, offered twice a year.  
Join Day In The Life Community!  If you’re an eclectic homeschooler or unschooler looking for daily community and support, this is for you. Connect with fellow homeschooling parents weekly on Zoom and daily in small groups. Share your homeschooling journey, overcome fears, celebrate successes, and find the resources you need to build relationships, understanding, and connection.
One-on-one coaching
Self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method.
Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.
If you’re ready to break free from traditional schooling and embrace homeschooling in a way that fits your family, this episode is for you! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed today’s episode.
See you next time! 

Ep 27 - Curriculum is for the Uninspired Days with Amy Hughes

In this episode, I’m joined by Amy Hughes, a homeschooling mother of nine, Wild + Free contributor, and writer whose words have resonated with many seeking a more intuitive, flexible approach to education. Amy shares the journey that brought her to unschooling and the mindset shift encapsulated in her catch phrase, "Curriculum is for the uninspired days."
Together, we explore the freedom that unschooling offers and the role that curriculum plays on those days when inspiration seems to run dry. Amy’s candid reflections on the challenges and triumphs of homeschooling a large family, and her insights into honoring each child’s individual path, will inspire listeners whether they’re just starting out or are seasoned home educators.
What You'll Learn:
View Curriculum as a Tool: Curriculum is one resource among many. It shouldn’t become a daily crutch, but rather a support for those uninspired days when direction is needed.
Connection is Key: The heart of homeschooling is building strong relationships and fostering connection with your children. This is what truly drives learning and growth.
Overcome Overwhelm: If traditional methods are too rigid, remember to approach homeschooling with flexibility and creativity. Simplify the process to avoid burnout.
Respect Your Child’s Interests: Learning happens naturally when we allow our children the space to explore their curiosities. Use curriculum sparingly as a support system, not a rigid plan.
Let Go of Perfection: There is no "right" way to homeschool. Each family is unique, and the journey is about finding what works for you and your children.
Find Balance: On those uninspired days, curriculum can help give structure, but the key is to remain flexible and not let it dictate the flow of learning.
Connect with Amy: Amy Hughes is a writer, speaker, and Christian parenting coach living on the coast of California with her family of nine. Her work has been featured in Wild + Free, Simplify Magazine, (in)Courage, and more. Amy’s first book is expected to be published in Fall 2025. You can find Amy on Instagram @simplelittleamy or connect with her on her website simplelittleamy.com.
Resources:
The Instagram Reel that inspired the episode: watch here.
Learn about Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, to begin or deepen your deschooling, offered twice a year.  
Join Day In The Life Community!  If you’re an eclectic homeschooler or unschooler looking for daily community and support, this is for you. Connect with fellow homeschooling parents weekly on Zoom and daily in small groups. Share your homeschooling journey, overcome fears, celebrate successes, and find the resources you need to build relationships, understanding, and connection.
One-on-one coaching
Self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method.
Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.

Ep 26 - How To Be An "At Peace Parent" with Casey Ehrlich

In this episode of The 90-Minute School Day podcast, we sit down with Casey Ehrlich, founder of At Peace Parents, to explore the transformative power of peaceful parenting, especially for those raising PDA (Pathological Demand Avoidant) children and teens. Casey is a social scientist with a Ph.D. in political science and a parent coach who brings over 15 years of experience to her work with families. She specializes in helping parents lead their children and teens out of burnout and into a space of peace and clarity.
Join us as we delve into what it means to be an ‘At Peace Parent’ and how accommodation as a lifestyle can bring profound peace to your home. We explore how traditional schooling often fails to meet the needs of PDA children and teens and how homeschooling can offer a more flexible and accommodating approach. Casey shares her journey, insights, and practical advice for parents who are struggling to find structure and connection with their PDA children and teens.
Key Takeaways:
Understanding PDA: Learn what PDA is, how it presents behaviorally, and why traditional parenting methods often fail to serve PDA children.
Grief in Parenting: Casey and Kelly discuss the emotional challenges of parenting, including the grief that often accompanies raising a neurodivergent child, and how to navigate these feelings.
Peace in Parenting: Discover Casey’s definition of peace in parenting and how parents can become the catalyst for positive change in their homes.
Radical Acceptance: Explore the concept of radical acceptance and how it can be a powerful tool for creating a peaceful environment for both parents and children.
The Paradigm Shift: Casey introduces her 5 A framework and shares insights from her Paradigm Shift Program, designed to help parents shift their perspective and approach.
Research and Future Directions: Learn about the latest research on PDA and what the future holds for bringing more resources to parents, clinicians, and educators.
Chapter Markers:
00:00:00 - Welcome
00:13:30 - Grief in Parenting
00:19:40 - Understanding PDA
00:30:42 - Behavioral Expressions of PDA
00:42:03 - Connection to School Struggles
00:50:12 - Defining Peace in Parenting
00:53:55 - The Paradigm Shift Program
00:54:58 – 5-A Framework
01:01:12 – 4-Framework and Structure for Unschooling
01:05:57 –  Cost-Benefit Decision Making
01:20:01 – Research and Future Directions
Resources Mentioned:
Visit At Peace Parents to learn more about Casey Ehrlich’s work and access resources on PDA and peaceful parenting.
For homeschooling support and community, explore the programs offered by The 90-Minute School Day.
At Peace Parents™ Podcast to learn more about all things related to PDA and Casey's work with parents.
PDA Parents Podcast is the season of episodes Casey mentioned that she recorded with her friend during the pandemic.
7 Steps to Help You in the New School Year is an Instagram Live Casey mentioned in the episode for parents of PDAers in the school system (Flipping Advocacy On Its Head)
Connect with Us:
90-Minute School Day in the Life community
Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, to begin or deepen your deschooling, offered twice a year.  Join the waitlist here.
One-on-one coaching
Self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day™ method.
Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.
Follow us on Instagram for updates and more insights.
Subscribe & Review:If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to The 90-Minute School Day™ podcast and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more parents and provide valuable content.

Ep. 25 – Deschooling: Unlock Your Invisible Toolkit

Do you often wonder if you’re doing enough, or if you’re somehow falling short in your homeschooling journey? If so, this episode is for you.
You’re doing an amazing job, and it can get easier! Join us as we explore the transformative power of deschooling and uncover the invisible toolkit that every homeschooling parent carries. Learn about the three essential tools that will enhance relationships and foster personal growth for both you and your children.
In this episode, we dive into the importance of self-awareness, curiosity, compassion, and connection in creating a successful and fulfilling homeschooling experience. You'll hear exclusive clips from our renowned Guide Training™ program, which supports homeschooling parents—especially those with neurodivergent children—in their deschooling journey.
Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned homeschooling veteran, this episode offers valuable insights, real-life stories, and the critical role that reflection and relational trust play in guiding your child’s education. Tune in and be inspired to embrace a strengths-based approach, let go of judgment, and create a nurturing learning environment for your family.
Episode Resources:
Join us for Guide Training™!  Registration opens August 22 at our Open House!  Join the waitlist here.  The Open House features a free workshop on personal leadership skills and their impact on homeschooling, plus an inside tour of our flagship program.
Day In The Life Community Is Finally Here!  If you’re an eclectic homeschooler or unschooler looking for daily community and support, this is for you. Connect with fellow homeschooling parents weekly on Zoom and daily in small groups. Share your homeschooling journey, overcome fears, celebrate successes, and find the resources you need to build relationships, understanding, and connection.
Learn More About the Transtheoretical Model of Change: Check out Episode 23 of the Podcast!
Instagram Reel Mentioned in This Episode: See an example of how to extract educational value from everyday life here. The card game featured is called Rhino Hero, and you can purchase it here.
Read the ‘The Soft Skills Disconnect’ with research by Carnegie, Stanford and Harvard.
One-on-one coaching
Self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method.
Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.

Ep. 24 - Peek into a Day in the Life Community

Welcome to the 90-Minute School Day podcast, hosted by Kelly Edwards.
In this episode, Kelly delves into the significant role that community plays in homeschooling. The episode is divided into three parts, featuring excerpts from a recent open house hosted live on Zoom.
In the first segment, Kelly reintroduces herself and shares her family's homeschooling journey, along with an overview of the 90-Minute School Day framework.
The second part explores the 90-Minute School Day in the Life community, discussing its mission, platforms, and how it operates to support homeschooling families.
The final segment offers a glimpse into the "Chart Your Homeschool Learning Year" workshop, using the metaphor of sailing to plan the school year based on existing strengths and interests.
Throughout, Kelly emphasizes the importance of focusing on relationships and attachment to foster a thriving learning environment at home with your kids.
Join Kelly as she provides insights, inspiration, and practical tools for making homeschooling a more connected and joyful experience.
Resources Mentioned:
90-Minute School Day in the Life community is for families who've begun deschooling and are implementing natural learning.
AUGUST 2024 is FREE for the waitlist. 
Our first gathering is Wednesday, August 7th. 
Join the waitlist by clicking here and receive 2 emails explaining more with links to take advantage of this limited time offer.
Guide Training™, our signature, live group coaching program for parents looking to deschool with in-depth, immersive education and trainings around deschooling, neurobiology of learning, synching biological rhythms, the 90-Minute School Day and creating environments for independence. This co-hort is offered twice a year, in the Spring and Fall.  Join the waitlist here.
One-on-one coaching
Self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method.
Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.

Ep. 23 - Transform Your Homeschool in 90 Minutes

As the new school season approaches, Kelly dives into the transformative power of deschooling and the stages of change that can guide your journey.
Discover how strategic planning, reflection, and the process of de-schooling can help you create a more meaningful and joyful homeschooling experience. Kelly shares her personal transformation story and provides actionable steps to help you navigate through the five stages of change:
Pre-contemplation
Contemplation
Preparation
Action
Maintenance.
Learn about the various support options available through the 90-Minute School Day, including free resources, a self-paced course, group coaching, community membership, and one-on-one coaching.
This episode is packed with insights and practical advice to help you embrace change and achieve a fulfilling homeschooling journey.
 
Resources Mentioned:
Episode 12 - Chaos to Clarity! The Craft of Personal Retreats
90-Minute School Day in the Life community
Guide Training™, a live group learning environment, for those who prefer community learning, offered twice a year.  Join the waitlist here.
One-on-one coaching
Self-paced course on the 90-Minute School Day method.
Listen to or invite Kelly to speak about the 90-Minute School Day™.
 

Ep. 22 - Am I Doing Enough?

This question plagues all homeschoolers from time to time.  
Have you found it pestering you lately?
In this episode, Robyn Robertson of “Honey! I’m Homeschooling the Kids” and Kelly Edwards of “90-Minute School Day” conclude their “How To Be An Awesome Homeschooler” summer conversation series.  Catch the other conversations in prior episodes!
This conversation tackles:
What is ‘enough’?  
How do we define it?  
How do we know if we are falling behind?  
What is ‘behind’ anyway?
Listen-in for the three step process to debunk the fears or to notice an area that needs change.  Then stick around for the 4 ingredients to include in your homeschool to implement that shift successfully.  
This conversation guides you in moving from panic, asking yourself if you’re doing enough to feeling contentment and peace, knowing you are enough in your homeschooling!
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
“Escape” (Pina Colada Song) 
 
Dino Spiral Reel - Am I Doing Enough?
 
Assault Bike
 
Get your Certified Awesome Homeschool Parent Card Freebie!
 
Catch up with Robyn:
 
Honey, I’m Homeschooling the Kids podcast
 
Honey, I’m Homeschooling the Kids patreon
 
Catch up with Kelly:
 
90-Minute School Day podcast
 
90-Minute School Day in the Life community - Open House + Workshop Tuesday, July 23rd at 11 AM.  Join the waitlist for the workshop link!
*****
Will you take a moment and rate the podcast?  Go to the show in your feed and scroll down to leave a 5 star review with one-click.  If you have a minute longer to support the podcast, would you write a review?  That is such a great way to say “thank you” if you enjoy the content we prepare and publish!  Thank you for your support and listening.

Ep. 21 - Curriculum Conundrum: Dispelling Myths, Embracing Freedom

This episode is part 2 of 3 of our LIVE summer conversation series on "How to Be an Awesome Homeschooler." 
Kelly Edwards from “90-Minute School Day” and Robyn Robertson of “Honey! I’m Homeschooling the Kids” dive into the complexities of choosing and using curriculum in homeschooling or not using curriculum at all! They discuss the myths and expectations surrounding curriculum, the importance of understanding your family's unique needs, and how to balance structure with the freedom of learning. They also explore ways to make curriculum work for you, rather than feeling controlled by it.
Tune-in to hear insights for both new and seasoned homeschoolers, emphasizing the importance of connection, communication, and flexibility in education.
Would you like to join the next conversation LIVE?
Sign-up here to join our Summer Conversation Series!
Save the date for our upcoming final conversation, hosted LIVE at 11 AM EDT:
July 16th - How Do I Know If I'm Doing Enough?
Other Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Wild + Free conference in Sept.
 
Honey, I’m Homeschooling the Kids podcast
 
Honey, I’m Homeschooling the Kids patreon
 
90-Minute School Day podcast
 
90-Minute School Day in the Life community
 
Wild Math
 
Will you take a moment and rate the podcast?  Go to the show in your feed and scroll down to leave a 5 star review with one-click.  If you have a minute longer to support the podcast, would you write a review?  That is such a great way to say “thank you” if you enjoy the content we prepare and publish!  Thank you for your support and listening.