S1E7P2 - From Charlotte Mason to Classical: Krystel Watts on an Ever-Evolving Homeschool with Flexibility and Trust

This week is part 2 with my lovely mate from across the Tasman 🌊—Krystel Watt from Engaging Minds NZ. It was such a joy to hear how her homeschool journey has evolved (and continues to!) as she and her husband Chris homeschool 7 of their 8 amazing kids ❤️📚 In this episode, Krystel shares how, even though her children have never been to traditional school—she still had to intentionally let go of the "school mindset" 🧠🚫. We also chat about how her experience with her eldest has helped her feel more confident and relaxed with her younger kids, and how she now fully trusts that their eclectic learning style is more than enough 🌈✨ We also dive into: 🔸 How Krystel's homeschool approach has grown and changed over the years 🔸 Early influences like Charlotte Mason & Montessori, and the shift to a classical approach 🔸 The importance of knowing your kids deeply and choosing a curriculum with flexibility 🔸 Recognizing when to pause and allow for developmental growth 🔸 The peace that comes from trusting the process and embracing a unique family rhythm 💫 You can connect with Krystel and Chris through Engaging Minds NZ on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or their website 🖥️. They're a brilliant resource for finding the right curriculum and learning tools to match your family's needs—and yes, they ship to Australia too! 📦🇦🇺 Krystel is also an amazing support for the summits we run at Fearless Homeschool! 🙌 She'll be both presenting and hosting sessions in our upcoming Teen and DIY Summits. Inside the Fearless Membership, you can access her brilliant workshops: 🎤 "Surviving and Thriving: Home Educating with a Large Family" 📘 "Structured Literacy: Understanding the Importance of Building a Solid Foundation of Learning" — #HomeschoolLife #EclecticHomeschooling #FearlessHomeschool #HomeEducation #HomeschoolJourney #CharlotteMason #MontessoriInspired #ClassicalHomeschool #LargeFamilyLearning #AustralianHomeschoolers #EngagingMindsNZ #FearlessMembership #HomeschoolSupport #TeenSummit #DIYSummit #LetGoOfTheSchoolMindset Here's where you can connect with Krystel: Website: https://tinyurl.com/engagingminds-website Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/engagingminds-facebook Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/engagingmindsnz/?hl=en Fearless Homeschool podcast page: https://fearlesshomeschool.com/fearless-homeschool-podcast/ Mentioned in this episode: Summit Promotion! Tickets are now on Sale for the Australian and New Zealand Homeschooling Summit 2026