Being a homeschool CEO means you’re not just balancing business tasks — you’re also guiding your children through some of the most critical years of their lives. When you have teens, the stakes feel even higher. Are you preparing them well enough? Are you covering all the bases? Are they truly ready for the real world?
In this post, inspired by our conversation with Traci Bakenhaster from Adulting University, we’ll break down how you can confidently prepare your teens for adulthood without trying to do it all yourself. You’ll walk away with a fresh perspective, actionable tips, and — most importantly — permission to let go of the pressure to be “supermom.”
Why Homeschoolers Are Already Ahead — But Still Need Help
As homeschool families, we often cover more ground than we realize. Our teens may already know how to budget, cook a meal, or manage their time more effectively than some of their public school peers. But there are still gaps, especially when it comes to deeper life skills like financial literacy, career readiness, and critical thinking.
Think of it this way: teaching your child how to handle a bank account is one layer. Teaching them how to think critically about a job offer, handle taxes, or navigate workplace dynamics? That’s the next level. And the truth is, you don’t have to do it all yourself.
Traci reminds us that today’s teens face unique challenges we didn’t have at their age — social media pressure, rapidly shifting career landscapes, and a constant stream of information. These modern realities require a new kind of preparation, and tapping into external resources (like Adulting University) can help fill those gaps efficiently.
Letting Them Struggle Is Part of the Process
As parents, especially homeschool parents, we naturally want to shield our kids from hardship. But here’s the hard truth: they can’t build resilience if they never face challenges.
Letting your teen wrestle with tough decisions, messy mistakes, or even a failed project at home gives them a chance to practice problem-solving in a safe environment. It’s like giving them “training wheels” for the real world.
You might think of it like the butterfly breaking free from its cocoon — if you help too much, you rob it of the strength it needs to fly. Traci shares how many parents struggle to step back, but doing so is one of the most loving things you can do. It teaches your teen that they can figure things out, they can bounce back, and they are stronger than they realize.
👉 Practical tip: Give your teen responsibility for something meaningful — like managing their schedule, filing simple taxes, or leading a small home project. Stay available to guide, but let them take ownership.
You Don’t Have to Teach It All Yourself
One of the most significant mindset shifts for homeschool CEOs is realizing that you don’t have to cover every topic personally.
We hire business coaches, join masterminds, and outsource tasks in our companies — why wouldn’t we do the same in our homeschool when it makes sense?
Traci explains that parents can partner with mentors, programs, or structured resources to help teach essential skills such as financial literacy, career exploration, and life skills. Not only does this reduce the load on you, but it also gives your teen exposure to different voices and perspectives, which can often be more effective.
👉 Practical tip: Explore programs like Adulting University that offer gamified, self-paced learning for teens. These kinds of resources allow you to stay involved without being the one who has to research, plan, and deliver every single lesson.
Relatable Analogy: Think Like a CEO
Here’s where it all comes full circle — you’re not just a homeschool mom; you’re a homeschool CEO. And CEOs don’t do every task in their business. They delegate, bring in experts, and focus on big-picture leadership.
The same applies here. Preparing your teen for adulthood isn’t about personally micromanaging every skill. It’s about building a system that supports them — and you.
When you allow yourself to step back from “doing it all,” you create more space for connection, intentional conversations, and modeling what empowered adulthood looks like. That’s the real win.
Final Encouragement
You are doing more than enough. The fact that you’re even thinking about this shows how deeply you care.
Remember:
✅ You don’t have to do everything yourself.
✅ Letting your teen struggle is part of the preparation.
✅ There are resources designed to help you both thrive.
With the right support, you can raise confident, capable teens while continuing to build the business you love.
Ready to Go Deeper?
Hit play on this episode of the Homeschool CEO Podcast to hear Traci’s full insights on preparing teens for adulthood — including practical tools, encouragement, and real-world stories you won’t want to miss.
You can prepare your teen AND run a thriving business. You don’t have to do it alone.
