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SS#151: Death of the Scrappy Homeschooler

Homeschooling used to be scrappy—figuring things out, using what you had, and trusting the process. Now, it’s polished, packaged, and pressured. More curriculum, more programs, more comparison. What happened?

In this episode, we dig into the shift from DIY homeschooling to consumer-driven schooling and how to reclaim the freedom to educate with confidence—without all the extras.

The Scholé Sisters

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DIY Homeschool Nostalgia

  • [2:46-12:14] Scholé Every Day segment
  • [13:59] Are homeschoolers still scrappy?
  • [16:47] Counter-cultural homeschooling
  • [22:58] Homeschooling landscape shifts
  • [24:49] Explosion of curriculum options
  • [26:56] Diluted homeschool cultures
  • [30:10] Let’s blame social media
  • [40:51] Or government funding
  • [46:47] All about aesthetics
  • [1:08:21] Philosophy as antidote

Today’s Hosts and Source

Brandy Vencel
was homeschooling in California, so she had to be scrappy to have a Christian family, much less homeschool.

Mystie Winckler
was homeschooled before homeschooling got fancy and respectable (in fact, it was barely legal).

Abby Wahl
started scrappy because she had more small children than dollars and NO INTERNET!

Scholé Every Day: What We’re Reading

Modern Times: A History of the World from the 1920s to the Year 2000
The Communist Manifesto
Animal Farm
For the Sake of The Faith: An Inductive Study of Titus

Animal Farm, George Orwell

The Communist Manifesto makes you mad, Animal Farm breaks your heart—and together, they show exactly why ideas have consequences.

Modern Times, Paul Johnson

Modern Times is unsettling because it reveals how totalitarian strategies repeat. It’s depressing—but necessary—to recognize history playing out again.

For the Sake of the Faith: An Inductive Study of Titus, Sophron Studies

An inductive study of Titus means reading it again, digging deeper, and letting Scripture shape you—not the other way around.

Reclaiming the DIY Homeschooler mentality

Once upon a time, homeschooling was countercultural. It was scrappy. It was driven by resourcefulness, a deep commitment to family, and a willingness to figure things out without waiting for someone else to hand over a step-by-step guide. But today, the landscape has changed.

Walk into a homeschooling Facebook group, and the first instinct when facing a challenge isn’t, How can I make this work with what I have? but What’s the best curriculum for this? The shift from DIY ingenuity to consumer-driven homeschooling is undeniable. More curriculum choices than ever, government funding for homeschooling programs, and the rise of social media have all contributed to a culture where homeschoolers rely more on products and less on their own ability to teach.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need all the bells and whistles to give your kids an excellent education.

Benefits of being scrappy

The scrappy homeschoolers of the past weren’t better homeschoolers because they lacked resources—they were better homeschoolers because they learned how to think through problems and adapt. They didn’t feel the pressure to have a polished homeschool room or a curriculum for every subject. Instead, they asked, What do my kids need to learn? and How can I make that happen with what I already have?

That mindset created confidence. It built problem-solving skills in both moms and children. It prioritized relationships and home life over polished lesson plans.

The strength of old-school homeschooling was standing firm, not needing everyone’s approval to do what your family needed to do.

Mystie Winckler, episode 151

What changed?

The Internet & Social Media – Once, homeschoolers turned to books for wisdom. Now, they scroll through Instagram. The emphasis on picture-perfect homeschool setups and endless curriculum recommendations can create the illusion that without the “right” materials, we’re failing our children.

The Rise of Government Funding – Many families now homeschool with state-provided funds. While it’s a financial help for some, it’s also shifted the mindset. When the government pays for curriculum, there’s no need to be frugal or resourceful. The scrappy homeschooler isn’t gone—she’s just no longer the majority.

The Consumer Culture of Education – The homeschool movement used to thrive on sharing and making do. Now, everything is packaged, marketed, and monetized. Even something as simple as learning manners now comes with a curriculum price tag.

Marketing is often trying to create a need. So if you didn’t feel insecure before, you do by the time you’re done listening to them.

Abby Wahl, episode 151

Better scrappy than perfect

The heart of homeschooling isn’t found in a perfect curriculum or a flawless homeschool room. It’s found in the daily work of showing up, reading, learning, and growing together. You don’t need to do it all, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to make homeschooling work.

Go back to the basics. Trust the process. And most of all—homeschool in freedom, not in fear.

How to be scrappy

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in a cycle of buying curriculum, or just longing for the simplicity of earlier homeschooling days, here’s how to reset:

✅ Start with philosophy – Instead of asking What curriculum should I use? start with What do I believe about education? Read Charlotte Mason, John Taylor Gatto, or Raymond & Dorothy Moore. A clear philosophy simplifies everything.

✅ Embrace books over busywork – Instead of worksheets, fill your home with real books. Read aloud, discuss, and let learning happen naturally.

✅ Resist the pressure to keep up – Social media can make you feel like your homeschool needs to look a certain way. Unfollow accounts that make you anxious. Focus on what actually works for your family.

✅ Trust yourself – You don’t need to be an expert to teach your children. The best way to teach is to learn alongside them. You don’t need a curriculum for everything—sometimes, all you need is a library card and a willingness to figure it out.

You don’t need a guide for everything. The most classical thing you can do is read it yourself.

–Abby Wahl, episode 151

Mentioned in the Episode

The Liberal Arts Tradition: A Philosophy of Christian Classical Education (Revised Edition)
The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home
For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School
Dumbing Us Down – 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
The Read-Aloud Handbook
Weapons of Mass Instruction
Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life
Honey for a Child’s Heart Updated and Expanded: The Imaginative Use of Books in Family Life
Homeschooling for Excellence
  • Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast – Homeschooling & frugal homeschooling series
  • AmblesideOnline – Mentioned in reference to its culture of frugality
  • A Humble Place – Charlotte Mason art study resources

Listen to related episodes:

SS#152: School Choice – Freedom Isn’t Free

The government is increasingly using education dollars to influence private education. What does that mean for homeschooling freedom? In this…
Read More SS#152: School Choice – Freedom Isn’t Free

SS #144: De-stress with Natural Consequences

Parenting and homeschooling can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to managing our children’s behavior and responsibilities. Natural consequences is…
Read More SS #144: De-stress with Natural Consequences
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SS#141: Raising Children Who Love to Learn

Do you want to raise kids who love to learn? Of course you do! We all do! However, sometimes we…
Read More SS#141: Raising Children Who Love to Learn

SS #135 – Unit Studies Are Overrated

Years ago we did an episode that Pam titled “Learning Styles are Bunk.” Inspired by that episode and the fact…
Read More SS #135 – Unit Studies Are Overrated

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