Modern parenting often feels like a carpenter’s task—carefully shaping a child into a specific outcome. But what if we approached it like a gardener instead - according to Alison Gopnik? Creating an environment for curiosity, exploration, and play to flourish? Gopnik’s insights challenged me to step back, observe more, and trust my children’s natural learning process. Whether through watching, listening, or imaginative play, they are constantly growing—and so am I.

Research is crucial to me, but so is efficiency—especially when balancing homeschooling with a full-time job and family life. While platforms like Google, YouTube, and Pinterest provided inspiration, they didn’t offer the structured starting point I needed. That’s where generative AI, specifically the free version of ChatGPT, became invaluable.

I use AI as a tool—not a replacement for books, experience, or expert advice—but as a way to streamline research and refine my approach. Here are 3 key prompts helped start our homeschooling journey

Starting homeschooling was a big transition for our family, and in this post, I’m sharing the three key things we did to make it easier. From taking a week of observation to preparing our home environment, and leaning on our community for support, these practices can help you make any major life transition smoother. Whether it's homeschooling, a new job, or preparing for a new baby, intentional actions during a transition can set both kids and parents up for success.

Welcome to the Honasan House! I'm Miranda, a homeschooling mom of two with another little one on the way. Along with my husband, Joel, we are navigating family life, homeschooling, and home-making. Here, you'll find stories about our journey toward homeschooling, our efforts to live on a budget, how we make our small home family-friendly, and tips for using GenAI to simplify life. Join us as we create a play-based, nature-filled childhood for our children, all while keeping faith and community at the heart of it all.