In this episode of the Homeschool Better Together podcast, I sit down with Dawn Garrett, our customer service guru, to reflect on the lessons we’ve learned over seven years of running the Homeschool Consistency Boot Camp. We talk about how consistency—not perfection—can transform your homeschool and why sticking with even a “minimum viable day” can make all the difference.
Dawn and I share some of the challenges homeschool moms face and how the Boot Camp provides tools and mindset shifts to help you stay the course. We also chat about the power of accountability and how taking charge—though exhausting—yields big results.
If you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed, this episode will inspire you to take small steps toward consistency and show how even imperfect days can lead to long-term success.
Links and Resources From Today’s Show
- Homeschool Consistency Boot Camp
- Morning Time Plans
- Put Your Year on Autopilot
- Elevate All Access Program
- Free Homeschool Better Together Community
Key Ideas About What Seven Years of Boot Camp Taught Us
- Consistency matters more than curriculum or homeschool method.
- The “minimum viable day” helps keep you on track, even on tough days.
- Taking charge can be tiring, but it leads to the best results.
- Accountability plays a huge role in building consistent habits.
- There’s never a perfect time to start—just jump in and begin today.
5 Lessons Learned from Seven Years of the Homeschool Consistency Boot Camp
In today’s post, I’m sharing highlights from a great conversation with Dawn Garrett, Homeschool Better Together’s customer service guru, as we reflected on seven years of running the Homeschool Consistency Boot Camp. It’s been an incredible journey, filled with lessons that have transformed not only the lives of participants but also how we approach homeschooling ourselves. Whether you’ve been homeschooling for a while or are just getting started, these lessons might be just what you need to take your homeschool to the next level.
Consistency Helps Everyone
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that consistency benefits every kind of homeschooler, no matter your teaching method or curriculum. Whether you follow classical, Charlotte Mason, or unit studies, being consistent makes all the difference.
The curriculum or style you choose matters far less than showing up consistently. Consistency allows you to properly evaluate what’s working—and what’s not—because you’ve given your chosen method a fair shot.
Consistency Builds Trust and Order
When your kids know what to expect, they stop pushing back. Inconsistency leaves a vacuum, and kids will fill that space with their own agendas—whether it’s playing with Legos or watching TV. When you step up and take charge of the day, your children learn to trust that school will happen. They’ll realize there’s no point in trying to derail the plan.
That said, setting a consistent routine takes effort, especially at first. But once you stay the course long enough, the resistance fades, and you’ll notice a smoother homeschool day.
Homeschool Success Starts with Mom
Here’s the truth: the key to homeschool consistency isn’t about your kids—it’s about you. If you can get yourself organized and consistent, your kids will follow. One of the biggest hurdles for many of us is learning to be that outside authority. When you homeschool, there are no bells or school administrators setting the schedule—it’s all on you.
The Boot Camp offers tools and accountability to help you manage your time and stay consistent, but the real magic happens when you make that mindset shift and commit to showing up every day.
A Minimum Viable Day Keeps You on Track
One of the most powerful tools we teach in Boot Camp is the Minimum Viable Day (MVD). This strategy is about determining the bare minimum you need to do each day to feel good about your homeschool. It’s not your whole school day—it’s just the essentials.
On the tough days—when life throws curveballs—having an MVD gives you a way to stay consistent. Even if everything else falls apart, you’ll know that you did what mattered most. And here’s the secret: your kids won’t notice the difference between an MVD and a “perfect” school day. In their minds, they still did school.
The Best Time to Start Is Now
There will never be a perfect time to work on consistency, so start now. Whether you’re listening to this post on the day it drops or months later, the best time to begin is today. The Boot Camp isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about shifting your mindset and learning to make school happen no matter what.
Participants often tell us that they get more homeschooling done during Boot Camp than at any other time. That’s the beauty of it—the accountability and support make it easier to stay consistent, and the skills you learn will serve you for years to come.
Final Thoughts
After seven years, one thing is clear: consistency changes everything. It’s the key to building trust, creating smoother homeschool days, and feeling confident in your ability to homeschool well. Whether you join us for the next Boot Camp or apply these lessons on your own, remember that showing up consistently matters far more than perfection.
If you’d like to connect with other homeschool moms and get support along the way, join our free community at hsbtpodcast.com. And if consistency is something you’ve struggled with, keep an eye out for the next Boot Camp session—we’d love to have you!
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