Hey there! I’m Jennie – teacher turned homeschool mom, stepmom, wife, book nerd, and now blogger. Life’s a bit of a beautiful mess over here, but every role I play has shaped me in some way. I’m excited to share pieces of that journey with you, regarding homeschooling and motherhood – the ups, the downs, and everything in between.

A photo of Jennie McDow, homeschool mom, and her husband

The Realities and Rewards

I’m a 39-year-old mom living life with my wonderfully blended crew. My 9-year-old daughter (from a previous marriage) is full of curiosity and creativity. My 5-year-old son, our little firecracker, is full of energy and wide-eyed wonder. And my 15-year-old stepdaughter is navigating the teen years with a mix of strength and grace that blows me away.

Currently, I homeschool my two youngest children through our local virtual school program. It’s a journey that comes with its fair share of chaos (hello, juggling lessons for a Kindergarten and Third Grader while also trying to work!), but also so many unexpected rewards. I get a front-row seat to their learning – watching lightbulb moments happen in real time – and we’ve found a rhythm that works for us. Some days are smooth, some are … not. However, overall, it has been one of the most meaningful and challenging experiences of my life.

Blending our lives – school, personalities, and schedules – hasn’t always been simple. With patience, humor, and a whole lot of love, we’re making it work. One day, one laugh, and one schedule shuffle at a time.

Unforseen Challenges

I’ve been surrounded by education my whole life. It’s always felt like home. From finding comfort in quiet reading time during elementary school to taking advantage of college night classes in high school, learning has been my anchor. I’ve earned five degrees in education, leadership, and psychology, and in 2023, I completed my doctorate in Educational Leadership and Innovative Change. I’ve spent over two decades teaching in both public and private schools and now mentor teachers at two local universities.

But nothing prepared me for how different – and demanding – teaching would feel when it was happening at my kitchen table …. not even my dissertation (which was about homeschooling). I could never have prepared for what life as a mom would throw at me.

Making the Decision

Homeschooling wasn’t an easy decision, especially in a blended family with differing opinions about education (one of the reasons my step-daughter still goes to a brick-and-mortar public school). I homeschooled my daughter during pre-K because of the pandemic and tried both public and private schools for her afterward, but nothing truly fit. I always felt a strong pull to homeschool, even before having kids. Eventually, we leaped into it even though we were thrown into it unplanned. This time with my two youngest. I designed all of the lesson plans in the fall of 2024. In January 2025, we enrolled in our local virtual school. I am thankful that I no longer have to do all the preparation and can focus on other things.

The reality? It’s hard. Even with all my training and experience, teaching your own children is a whole new ball game. There are meltdowns (mine included), unexpected gaps in learning (thanks to previous schools), and constant juggling of roles: mom, teacher, referee, snack distributor. And, all of this happened while I was stepping into a brand new position as a teacher candidate supervisor at my alma mater, while teaching four classes at another institution, and launching an online business.

And, Things That Helped Mom

What’s helped? Slowing down. Letting go of the pressure to make every day perfect. Leaning into what my kids are curious about. Relying on my experience, but also being willing to unlearn some of the rigid structures I picked up in the classroom. And honestly – books, coffee, Lego builds, and the occasional true crime show have saved my sanity more than once.

The season of motherhood is chaotic and exhausting – but it’s also deeply fulfilling. Watching my kids learn and grow in real time makes the tough days worthwhile. Even when my to-be-read pile grows faster (and … dustier) than I can keep up with, I wouldn’t trade this messy, magical chapter for anything.

Why I Started Writing About Being a Mom

Starting this blog felt like the right thing to do. For years, I’ve juggled life as a mom, stepmom, educator, homeschooler, and all-around chaos wrangler—and I know I’m not the only one. Many families are navigating blended dynamics, making complex school decisions, and facing the daily unpredictability of raising children. I wanted a space where I could share the real stuff—not just the polished wins, but the messy, in-between moments too.

Funny enough, I came up with concept of Unexpectedly Blended back in 2018. But I didn’t hit publish. I let fear hold me back – fear of judgment, of not getting it right, of putting myself out there. But honestly? I’m over it. I’m done shrinking myself because of what someone might think. Our story has value, and if it can help even one other person feel less alone, then it’s worth telling.

Here, you’ll find everything from homeschool wins (and fails), to how we navigate sibling dynamics, to the reality of balancing work and family in a blended household. I’m not here to pretend I have it all figured out (and thank God, my husband works remotely too). This won’t be a curated highlight reel. It’ll be honest, messy, sometimes funny, sometimes heavy, and always honest. I hope that this space becomes a community—one where we can share, learn, and support each other along the way.

Looking Ahead: My Hopes for This Space

Life feels like a constant balancing act. Some days I’m thriving as a mom, and other days I’m wondering if I’m doing anything right. But then I catch a glimpse of something beautiful: my kids learn something new, make a new friend at our music co-op or other activities around town, or laugh together at home. That’s when I remember – this path, as messy and unpredictable as it is, is worth it.

I started this blog because I know I’m not alone. Whether you’re a homeschool parent, an educator, or someone figuring out life in a blended family, or even just an avid book lover, I hope you’ll see a bit of your own story here. My goal isn’t to give perfect advice – it’s to share what’s real: the wins, the failures, the awkward middle parts.

So thank you for being here. Truly. I’m excited (and a little nervous!) to open up this corner of my world. Here’s to finding joy in the chaos, strength in the hard days, and community in the stories we share. Check out what I offer to those I work with here.