Winter can be a hard season for homeschooling parents…
Especially if you are raising neurodivergent kids while navigating burnout, nervous system exhaustion, and the pressure to “reset.”
In this episode, we explore how watercolor can support nervous system regulation, deschooling, and gentle self-care in real life.
Meet artist and unschooling parent Cyrielle Tignard to talk about releasing perfectionism, creating with interruptions, and giving yourself permission to pause, play, and care for your own nervous system alongside your child’s.
In This Episode:
- Watercolor as nervous system regulation and burnout recovery
- Deschooling as a practice of process, not performance
- Parenting and learning alongside neurodivergent children
- Letting go of perfection and trusting growth beneath the surface
- Why creative self-care matters in homeschooling families
meet cyrielle
Cyrielle Tignard is the creator of Joie, a quarterly magazine for home-educating moms, and founder of Unschooling and Thriving, a creative-focused community for unschooling moms. She is a former teacher who shifted her career and lifestyle after becoming a mom to her neurodivergent daughter.
What began as a journey through overwhelm, burnout, and self-neglect gradually transformed when she rediscovered watercolor painting: a gentle, nourishing practice that helped her reconnect with herself, honor her own rhythms, and embrace rest and creativity.
Today, through Unschooling and Thriving, Joie magazine and The Watercolor Nook, Cyrielle supports other moms in reclaiming time for soul-care, creativity, and easeful unschooling while fostering community rooted in connection, self-care, and shared creativity.
Resources and Support
Free 3-Day Introduction to Watercolor Mini Course (Cyrielle Tignard)
Learn basic techniques, color mixing, and complete a small projectDay In The Life Community (DITL)
Supportive community for homeschooling parents focused on nervous system safety and living wellPrivate Coaching with Kelly Edwards
Deschooling support, nervous system healing, and sustainable homeschooling
(Limited availability)
At the end of the day, trust your instincts and explore alternatives to what isn’t working!
I’d love to connect personally, find me on Instagram.
You’re doing a great job, let’s make it easier!
Kelly
Be Featured on the Podcast!
The 90-Minute School Day™ podcast aims to support all homeschooling families with a focus on neurodiverse families, with learning differences and unique learning styles. Be featured on the podcast by sharing your story, struggle or asking your question here. Or leave your recording by clicking the mic below.


