Stand up if you’ve ever yelled at your kids while homeschooling. Keep standing if you’ve ever thought about quitting. I’m going to guess about 90-100% of the people reading this are still standing at this point (or would be if we had the time to read a blog post during the day instead of at bedtime when we really should be sleeping). If you’re one of the people standing (or thinking about it), then this review of Overwhelmed: A Homeschool Mom’s Rescue Plan for Peaceful Routines by Amanda Schenkenberger is for you… even if you’re a homeschool dad. (You can sit down now…)

Ready to Quit or Just an Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom

Considering Amanda has so many stories and references in her book, I feel comfortable sharing a few modified lyrics (from “Lose Yourself” by Eminem).

“Your palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy…

You’re nervous, but on the surface you look calm and ready…

You open your mouth, but the words won’t come out”

Sometimes homeschooling can feel like a race (or a rap battle). You’re just trying to teach your kids and give them the best opportunities for learning, but life gets in the way. Whether it’s a lack of sleep, stress from an overabundance of questions, hormones, or a multitude of other things that get in the way, there are stressors. It can lead many homeschool parents towards the computer to register their kids for public school. But maybe you’re just overwhelmed and there are resources available to rescue you from your current situation and give you the opportunity to make your homeschool more peaceful.

Enter Amanda Schenkenberger, a second generation homeschool mom who has been there and is willing to share her experiences and secrets to help you help yourself. I repeat: help you help yourself. It is going to take some work, but this book is filled with the tools and guidance you need. And, if that isn’t enough, she has additional resources available if you go to the link she shares in the book.

The Book Itself

I could spend a day sharing all of the things I love about Amanda – I met her virtually a few years ago and I absolutely love seeing what she’s up to with her kids and watching every training she does that I can get my hands on. She truly makes you feel like you can homeschool, you can simplify, and you can succeed in every training.and what’s even better, Amanda brings the same energy to this book, but she adds in research, references, the psychology (with simplified definitions!), and methods to make life and homeschooling better for you and your family.

One of my favorite things about Overwhelmed is the use of metaphors and concepts to make everything come alive. I won’t spoil the Moana reference here, but it had me in tears. And I literally explained traffic light brain to my 5-year old just before sitting down to write this review. (Dysregulation is so hard and it was greatly impacted by sickness and a lack of nap while sick… but she had moved to the yellow so I told her about it and answered her questions.)

But Amanda doesn’t just talk about the psychology and mindset pieces, she shares anecdotes and advice to assist with making changes, connecting with your kids, developing a love of learning and more. Basically it’s everything I love reading in her newsletters and seeing in her virtual sessions brought into a book to help homeschool moms (parents) take a step back and find what they need to succeed in homeschooling. Hint: it’s not a one-size-fits-all curriculum or routine. Like I noted earlier, you’ll have to do the work to reap the rewards.

Overall Review

I could just say “buy the book” because it is 100% worth the read no matter what point you’re at in your homeschool journey, but instead I’ll share a few closing thoughts. If you’re one of the parents that stood up at the beginning of this post, then you’re likely like me. You look at that person and that’s not who you want to be. When you became a parent, you never wanted to be someone who yelled at their kids. One of the reasons I wanted to homeschool was to be closer to my kids, not to allow frustrations to bubble up, boil over, and yell at them. Whether that’s been you or not, if you’ve thought about quitting, then something needs to change. It won’t be overnight, but the mindset shifts you’ll get from reading this book? Those alone are worth the price of buying it. And if you can’t afford it at this time, it’s on Kindle Unlimited. 

Interview with Amanda Schenkenberger

Can you share a little about yourself and what you do for my readers?

I’m a second-generation homeschooler, a mom of four boys, and a mental health practitioner who helps overwhelmed homeschool moms calm the chaos and confidently lead their families. Through my book, programs, and the Confident Homeschool Moms Club, I equip moms with brain-based routines, emotionally grounded tools, and heart-centered support so they can stop second-guessing themselves and build a homeschool life they actually enjoy.

What inspired you to write Overwhelmed: A Homeschool Mom’s Rescue Plan for Peaceful Routines?

I wrote Overwhelmed because I kept hearing the same thing from moms again and again: “I feel like I’m failing… and I don’t know how to fix it.”

And I knew that feeling—deeply. I had everything I wanted—my kids, homeschooling, even a growing business—but I still felt like I was drowning. It wasn’t a lack of effort. It was a lack of sustainable tools for managing the mental load. I didn’t need another planner or curriculum—I needed a mindset shift and a heart reset. That’s what this book offers: real, doable routines that support the whole mom, not just her homeschool to-do list.

You have so many stories from your life as a homeschool mom in the book. I know that the Moana reference had an impact on me and had me crying. How did sharing these experiences feel for you… freeing? …scary? …intimidating? …raw? …hopeful?

Honestly? It was terrifying—but not because of what strangers might think. I was most afraid of the people close to me reading it. For so long, I wore the “jean jacket club” smile—you know, the polished, put-together version of myself that made it look like everything was going great. But behind the scenes, I was drowning.

Writing this book meant pulling back the curtain and admitting that it wasn’t all wonderful—and that felt vulnerable.

But every time I’ve shared my real story, it’s met moms right where they are and reminded them they’re not alone. That gives me the courage to keep telling the truth—because when we stop pretending, we start healing.

I feel like your book could definitely be categorized as a homeschool inspiration or mindset book which would benefit all homeschool parents. Do you have any book recommendations for similarly categorized books for homeschool parents?

Yes! There are two books that deeply shaped the way I parent and homeschool, and I reference them in Overwhelmed because they were that impactful:

• 8 Great Smarts by Dr. Kathy Koch — This book helped me see intelligence through a whole new lens. It’s empowering to realize your child might be brilliant in ways a traditional model doesn’t measure.
• Brain-Body Parenting by Mona Delahooke — This one completely shifted how I respond to dysregulation—both in myself and in my kids. It’s rooted in neuroscience but written with so much compassion and clarity.

And while I don’t reference it directly in my book, Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie is one I always recommend. It’s a beautiful reminder that peace and purpose can coexist in your homeschool—even when life feels messy.

How can my readers connect with you online?

I’d love to stay connected!

• You can find me in my Facebook group.
• Download a free resource: Take the What’s Blocking Your Homeschool Flow Quiz! and get a resource that best fits your needs. 
• Watch real-talk encouragement and routines on my YouTube channel.

Thank you so much for your time! And thanks for joining us In Our Homeschool!