This month we are honored to feature Jennifer Edewaard (@jenniferedewaardon IG) as part of our 'Moms We Love' segment! Jennifer shares all about her journey with homeschooling, teaching her son whom has disabilities, her faith and more.

Get to know Jennifer:

Can you tell readers a little bit about yourself and your family?

Hello! I am Jennifer! I’m a wife, mother, writer, homemaker, and passionate homeschooler who finds inspiration in the Charlotte Mason philosophy. My husband and I are blessed with two wonderful children—a daughter who is 5 and a son who is 9 with disabilities.

We live in the mountains of Colorado, and enjoy going on adventures, exploring, and being in nature. Our days are filled with the rich and intentional learning, alongside the strength and peace we draw from our faith. Our homeschooling journey has been one of growth, grace, and learning not just for our children, but for me as well.

When I’m not homeschooling, you’ll find me weaving words on the trail that tell stories of motherhood, disabilities, grief, homeschooling, and life.

What led to the decision to homeschool your kids? And do you ever wish you had done things differently?

Our decision to homeschool was born from a desire to cultivate a deeper connection between learning, faith, and family as well as being able to adapt and accommodate the individual needs of the learning environment for my son and his disabilities. His learning pace and style are different, and homeschooling gives us the ability to tailor lessons to his specific needs.

Homeschooling allows us to slow down, honor our children's strengths, and provide support where needed. Through homeschooling we are given the opportunity to learn in all different ways, giving us the time, flexibility and freedom to learn at home, while we travel, on the go, or out in nature. 

While it is not always easy, I don’t have any regrets. Homeschooling has given us the ability to meet both of our children exactly where they are, and to walk this path together as a family. Homeschooling my son has taught me that every child’s journey is their own, and it is a privilege to be able to nurture his unique gifts. The beauty of homeschooling is that it is adaptable—you learn to pivot when needed and trust that you are exactly where you need to be, even on the tough days.

Do you have any favorite small shops or businesses or social media accounts that you love that have homeschooling products/tips and tricks/inspiration?

Absolutely! I’m always looking for resources that help me stay connected and encouraged in my homeschooling journey. Some of my favorite resources include:

• CMEC (Charlotte Mason Educational Center): This is one of the primary resources I rely on for structuring our homeschool. We just started our second year with the CMEC and use this full course curriculum. We love it so much!  Their curriculum is not only beautifully aligned with Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, but also incredibly adaptable for families with varying needs, including children with special needs.

• Simply Charlotte Mason: A wealth of practical, faith-based resources for those who follow the Charlotte Mason method. Their curriculum suggestions and guidance have been incredibly helpful for us.

• A Living Learning Co: My best friend Brit @thesmittyfamgram, launched @alivinglearningco recently where she writes and creates living unit studies that truly are a blessing to families.  Her personal page is also full of an abundance of homeschool resources for every family, it is a gift to homeschool, learn from, and do life alongside her and her family. 

• Pip and J Papery: My friends Tori & Becky offer beautiful, high-quality tools and resources that are perfect for bringing a touch of beauty and intentionality to your homeschool.

• For daily inspiration, I love following my dear friend Mary, @ourkinandhome on Instagram.She shares Charlotte Mason-inspired content and encouragement. Mary also creates templates and practical tools and ideas for homeschooling that have enriched our homeschool experience. You will also find inspiration from her, on how to create a peaceful, connected home environment for your children.

These accounts and resources have been so encouraging, providing inspiration, tips, and the practical support I need as a homeschooling mother. They remind me that there’s beauty in every season of this journey.

What advice would you give someone who is also interested in homeschooling their children?

First and foremost, trust that you are capable of providing an enriching education for your children. You don’t need to have all the answers or be an expert— take small steps. Don’t feel pressure to recreate a traditional classroom at home; instead, embrace the freedom and flexibility that homeschooling allows. Learn alongside your children and know that it’s okay if things don’t always go as planned.

Surround yourself with a community, whether online or in person. Having a network of like-minded mothers can provide encouragement, support, and insights when you need them. Most importantly, give yourself grace. Some days will be hard, but those days are often the ones where the most growth happens. Remember that homeschooling is about the long game—about building strong relationships, instilling values, and nurturing a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

What is the easiest AND most challenging part of homeschooling?

The easiest part, for me, is the joy of being with my children everyday and watching my children grow in knowledge and character, and having the freedom to adapt our learning to their needs. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them engage with the world in a way that sparks curiosity and wonder, whether that’s through a living book, a nature walk, or a hands-on project. The flexibility to incorporate our values and nature into our daily lessons makes learning feel like a natural extension of life itself.

The most challenging is the internal pressure I place on myself. There’s a constant temptation to compare our homeschool journey to the world’s way of doing things or to feel like we need to fit into a certain mold. Breaking free from that and embracing the beauty of what we are creating as a family has been a continual process.

I’ve had to remind myself that this journey doesn’t have to look like traditional schooling, and that’s okay. Releasing that pressure has been key in finding peace and joy in the day-to-day, even when things don’t go as planned. On the hardest days, I lean into that grace and remind myself that I have been called to do this for a reason.

You have a son with special needs, do you approach teaching him and his lesson plans any differently than you do your daughter?

I approach his education with the needed adaptations and accommodations that he needs. There are days when lessons will take longer to match his pace. Flexibility is key when the plans for that day have to shift.  His learning needs sometimes require shorter, more engaging lessons with a strong emphasis on sensory activities and hands-on learning.

With our approach, I can tailor his education to focus on living ideas and experiences rather than memorization. We also incorporate therapies into his daily routine, which help reinforce the skills he’s learning in a more structured setting.

His education requires me to think outside the box, and while it’s challenging at times, it’s also incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned to celebrate the small victories and to appreciate his unique way of engaging with the world. He has taught me so much about patience, perseverance, and the beauty of seeing things through a different lens.

What does a "typical" day look like for you as a mother, homemaker, homeschooler, content creator, and wife?

My mornings usually start early before the children wake up with quiet time. After we enjoy breakfast together, we being our lessons for the day. Our morning schooling consists of short, focused lessons. We spend time on literature, reading, narration, history, geography, natural history and math to name a few. Depending on the day, we may also have different therapies for my son woven into our day.

In between, I manage household tasks—laundry, meal prep, tidying up—while keeping an eye on independent work. We always prioritize time outside, whether it's a nature walk, hiking or just playing in the yard in the early afternoons. Nature is an essential part of our homeschooling, and it serves as a peaceful reset for the whole family.

In the late afternoons we all have some quiet time where the kids will play, work on art projects, read or listen to an audiobook in their rooms, and I will use that time to write and get some work done.

Our evenings are dedicated to family time, often reading together or playing games. After the kids go to bed, I catch up with my husband, reflecting on the day and preparing for the next.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Homeschooling is a journey that requires patience and a lot of grace. It’s not about perfection—it’s about being present and creating an environment where your children can grow not just academically, but spiritually and emotionally.

If you’re considering this path, know that you are not alone. There are so many of us walking alongside you, cheering you on, and offering support. Trust the process, and lean into the joy that comes from learning and growing together.