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