I'm Karen , homeschooling mom of 4 girls ages 6, 10, 15, and 18! Yes, life is very full around here and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way!
Just a little about me- I am a midwestern girl at heart although I have lived in Southern California since I was 12. My parents and brother ( who has 5 kids!!) live within 15 minutes of us which is so nice with with such a large family. We are incredibly blessed to live in a gorgeous coastal community just a few miles from the beach- and I love it so much! My favorite days are spent watching my girls collect sea glass and breathing in the salty ocean air.
In the years before I had kids, I attended Pepperdine University and received a Masters in Psychology. I've always been the one that friends came to for support and advice so I thought I would make a career of it. After I had my first child, I worked full time for a year but missing all her firsts nearly broke my heart. I longed to be home with her so I left the therapy world for the freedom and flexibility of coaching. It was an exciting time!! I could meet with clients over the phone- all over the world and still be with my kids during the day. Since 2001, with a few breaks in between as my family grew- I have worked as life and business coach supporting thousands of women ( and a few men!).
Before you start to think that things have been all rosy over here, let me tell you it's not been an easy road. My kids were a handful as babies and it seemed that what worked for one didn't work for the others. As soon as they started school, life became a constant struggle and it was pretty obvious that they didn't fit inside the box. Honestly, when I look back it feels like we spent all our time in parent- teacher meetings. Our kids complained about school constantly. Homework was a battle that we never won. We advocated as best we could for our kids needs to be met but were told by the principal that hands were tied.
We felt isolated and alone as other parents didn't seem to understand.
In 2012 after having my oldest daughter tested and discovering she was gifted , my journey to a spacious life and learning without limits would begin. That year, after fighting the system in 3 different schools in 3 years, we'd had enough and pulled her out and started homeschooling. What an amazing gift!! It was as if a giant weight had been lifted off of her shoulders (and ours) and we once again had our curious, interested, happy daughter back again. That next school year I brought all of my children home and have never looked back.
For our family, homeschooling was the answer we had been seeking all of these years and has been the miracle we were looking for!! It's been so awesome to create a wonderful, vibrant, customized educational and family environment and see my kids thrive. I had no idea that being with my kids would be so much fun or that I would feel so passionate about sharing my story with others.
Trust me- I was the one saying I could never teach my kids and that they would never listen to me. How wrong I was!. Our family relationships have grown so much over these past years- I cannot even imagine what things would be like if we had not left school.
Soon after I started homeschooling I started a local group for parents of gifted kids. It's grown into a vibrant community where we enjoy weekly park days, field trips, campouts , mom's night out, parent workshops, and more. For those of you local to OC - we would love to have you!
Also, I'm back to coaching again and am loving every moment!! I work with parents as they start the homeschool journey through private consultations, workshops, and speaking. These parents know that life with kids is not meant to be this hard and I am here as a friend and guide- to offer hope and inspiration- there really is a light at the end of the tunnel- I promise!!.
If you are curious about how homeschooling would work, I would love to chat with you about how I could help! Fill out the form below and I will contact you by email with more information about scheduling a session in person in Orange County, CA or by telephone.
Just a little about me- I am a midwestern girl at heart although I have lived in Southern California since I was 12. My parents and brother ( who has 5 kids!!) live within 15 minutes of us which is so nice with with such a large family. We are incredibly blessed to live in a gorgeous coastal community just a few miles from the beach- and I love it so much! My favorite days are spent watching my girls collect sea glass and breathing in the salty ocean air.
In the years before I had kids, I attended Pepperdine University and received a Masters in Psychology. I've always been the one that friends came to for support and advice so I thought I would make a career of it. After I had my first child, I worked full time for a year but missing all her firsts nearly broke my heart. I longed to be home with her so I left the therapy world for the freedom and flexibility of coaching. It was an exciting time!! I could meet with clients over the phone- all over the world and still be with my kids during the day. Since 2001, with a few breaks in between as my family grew- I have worked as life and business coach supporting thousands of women ( and a few men!).
Before you start to think that things have been all rosy over here, let me tell you it's not been an easy road. My kids were a handful as babies and it seemed that what worked for one didn't work for the others. As soon as they started school, life became a constant struggle and it was pretty obvious that they didn't fit inside the box. Honestly, when I look back it feels like we spent all our time in parent- teacher meetings. Our kids complained about school constantly. Homework was a battle that we never won. We advocated as best we could for our kids needs to be met but were told by the principal that hands were tied.
We felt isolated and alone as other parents didn't seem to understand.
In 2012 after having my oldest daughter tested and discovering she was gifted , my journey to a spacious life and learning without limits would begin. That year, after fighting the system in 3 different schools in 3 years, we'd had enough and pulled her out and started homeschooling. What an amazing gift!! It was as if a giant weight had been lifted off of her shoulders (and ours) and we once again had our curious, interested, happy daughter back again. That next school year I brought all of my children home and have never looked back.
For our family, homeschooling was the answer we had been seeking all of these years and has been the miracle we were looking for!! It's been so awesome to create a wonderful, vibrant, customized educational and family environment and see my kids thrive. I had no idea that being with my kids would be so much fun or that I would feel so passionate about sharing my story with others.
Trust me- I was the one saying I could never teach my kids and that they would never listen to me. How wrong I was!. Our family relationships have grown so much over these past years- I cannot even imagine what things would be like if we had not left school.
Soon after I started homeschooling I started a local group for parents of gifted kids. It's grown into a vibrant community where we enjoy weekly park days, field trips, campouts , mom's night out, parent workshops, and more. For those of you local to OC - we would love to have you!
Also, I'm back to coaching again and am loving every moment!! I work with parents as they start the homeschool journey through private consultations, workshops, and speaking. These parents know that life with kids is not meant to be this hard and I am here as a friend and guide- to offer hope and inspiration- there really is a light at the end of the tunnel- I promise!!.
If you are curious about how homeschooling would work, I would love to chat with you about how I could help! Fill out the form below and I will contact you by email with more information about scheduling a session in person in Orange County, CA or by telephone.
