The Prepared Adult: Finding Your Center as a Homeschooling Parent

When you’re on a Montessori journey at home, you’ve likely spent time preparing your space—curating materials, designing purposeful areas, and structuring your days around your child’s developmental needs. You’ve probably thought deeply about supporting your child.

But what does it mean to prepare yourself?

When Dr. Maria Montessori wrote about the preparation of the adult, she discussed the preparation of the environment and preparation to work with the child. And, she also included spiritual preparation. Today, many might call it self-care—but in Montessori, it’s more than just a buzzword. It’s about the inner work that allows us, as adults, to show up with presence, patience, and authenticity.

The Challenge of Being "Always On"

In the early days of homeschooling, this kind of self-preparation felt incredibly hard for me. Before we started learning at home, our lives had a very specific structure: early mornings, school drop-offs, outdoor play, dinner, bedtime. Once we were home full-time, the boundaries of the day blurred. Time seemed to stretch and collapse all at once.

We were together 24/7 and I found myself wondering how to support my children and myself without losing my sense of balance.

Gradually, we built simple rhythms into our day—anchored around meals, outside time, and bedtime. This helped bring structure for our homeschooling, but it still left the question: When do I get to breathe?

It felt like it shouldn’t be hard to find time for myself—but as a mom of three (a baby, a preschooler, and an 8-year-old), it absolutely was.

What Spiritual Preparation Looks Like in Real Life

When my youngest became a toddler, I reached a point where I realized I needed more support. I started therapy to help me process the daily intensity of parenting and homeschooling. That step, for me, was the beginning of my own spiritual preparation as a Montessori homeschooling parent.

As my youngest grew, my sleep improved and energy returned, I slowly found space for things that helped me feel more like myself. At first, it was small things: being outside and exploring with my kids or reading library books together on the couch. Then I realized I needed solo time, too.

I began taking short walks on my own a few times a week. Later, I found a free yoga class—an hour a week, just for me. Before kids, yoga had been something I loved, but it had been over a decade since I’d stepped onto a mat (despite offering yoga in my Montessori classroom!). Now, it’s something I look forward to every week.

Another unexpected joy? Watercolor painting. I started with short, easy, approachable tutorials. Sometimes my kids wanted to join me and do their own paintings. Over time, I upgraded from a basic watercolor set that I shared with my kids, to my own watercolor brushes and a journal with watercolor paper inside. Now, watercolor is something that gives my brain space to breathe and gives me time to just be, even if just for 10 minutes.

It Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Your path to spiritual preparation won’t look exactly like mine. It doesn’t have to include yoga, walking, or watercolor. But it should include something that helps you feel grounded and restored.

And that starts with noticing what fills your cup—and giving yourself permission to receive it.

It doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive.

It just has to be yours.

A Gentle Invitation

If you're just starting out on this journey, give yourself grace. The spiritual preparation of the adult isn’t a one-time task—it’s a practice. One that will grow and evolve alongside your family.

And if you need support in finding your rhythm or reconnecting with your own needs, know that you're not alone. We’re walking this journey alongside you.