Breaking Down the Modern Homeschooling Landscape with Vida Mercer
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In this episode, Cory sits down with Vida Mercer to break down what modern homeschooling really looks like—and it’s far from one-size-fits-all. They unpack common myths, explore the challenges and freedoms of unschooling, and dive into how educational trauma shapes families' choices. Vida, a second-generation homeschooler and education consultant, shares why the parent-child relationship is at the heart of a thriving homeschool experience. From trusting the learning process to preparing for college and life beyond the classroom, this conversation is a fresh, empowering look at how families are redefining education on their own terms.
Brought to you by Pacific Preparatory.
About our guest:
Vida Mercer is a second-generation homeschooler, mother of three, and the founder of Mercer Homeschooling, a concierge service that supports both families and businesses navigating the ever-evolving world of home education. Through personalized coaching, curriculum consulting, and strategic insight, she helps clients create flexible, effective, and enriching non-traditional learning experiences. In addition to her consulting work, Vida authors, edits, and develops homeschool curriculum, and teaches writing and humanities to students across the country. She is a writing instructor with Brave Writer and the lead author of The Insightful Scholar. Her work has appeared in a range of national and international homeschooling publications. As a homeschooling parent herself, Vida believes homeschooling thrives on a strong parent-child partnership—one that values connection above content, relationship above rigor. She’s passionate about making homeschooling not only academically effective, but deeply human: nurturing, individualized, and filled with the joy of learning.
Find her at:
Website: https://www.mercerhomeschooling.com/
Instagram: @mercerhomeschooling
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MercerHomeschooling
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/homeschooling-specialist/
Resources mentioned in the episode:
The Reading League by Emily Hanford
The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey
The Self-Driven Child by William Stixrud & Ned Johnson
Homeschooling methods:
Unschooling – Child-led, interest-based learning.
Classical Education – Focused on logic, rhetoric, and traditional academics.
Charlotte Mason Method – Emphasizes nature, literature, and gentle structure.
School-at-Home – Mirrors traditional school with set curricula.
Hybrid/Charter-Supported Models – Used widely in states like California.
