Why I Started Homeschooling... When I Said I Never Would

The first chapter of my homeschooling journey...

I said I’d never homeschool my kids.

In fact, when asked by a close friend if I would homeschool now that I ended my full-time career as a public school teacher, I believe my words were, “No, that’s kind of weird, I would never homeschool”.

But here I am, 6 years later– immersed in a season of raising four young kids and having the unexpected privilege of not only getting to spend every day alongside them, but also being the one who educates and shapes their formidable little minds. 

Sometimes, we’re called to do things that we question where in the world that idea or notion came from. For me, this nudge to homeschool clearly was not my own doing, but a prompting from the Holy Spirit in the voice of my three-year-old daughter’s request. 

For all you mamas who feel the nudge, even just a little, or are intrigued by the homeschooling lifestyle, I wanted to share my story about how this unexpected request became one of my life’s greatest opportunities and joys– all because I took the leap of faith and trusted that the Lord would equip me if he brought me down that path. 

Where It All Began 

I’d been brought up inundated with believing and supporting the public school system. My mom was an elementary teacher for nearly 30 years before she retired, and so as a young child my sisters and I all desired to become teachers as well– and we did.

My profession as a public school teacher was amazing, teaching elementary Learning Support followed by first grade. I loved nearly every part of the job. I felt as if I was creating a lasting imprint on the lives of many children while following my childhood dream of being a teacher. 

But this dream job changed after I started having my own babies. The work of a teacher became too challenging to fit into an already demanding schedule and life as a new mom. I felt myself distracted during the school day, wishing I was home with my daughter, and wondering how I’d feel if I left this career I still genuinely enjoyed.

In 2018, I took the first unexpected leap of faith– resigning from my full-time teaching career to become a full-time stay-at-home-mom to my two young children. 

It was hard, and to be honest, I didn’t enjoy that first year of staying at home with my babies like I thought I might. Something was missing. I didn’t feel fulfilled like I did when I was a teacher.  

The Call to Homeschool

But as time went on and this role as a stay-at-home mom grew in my affections, it was time to consider the option of sending my oldest, a three-year-old daughter, to preschool. 

I still remember the excitement she felt as we toured what might be her new classroom next year. I walked away from that preschool open house one Sunday afternoon in March looking forward to a new chapter– one of more independence and the opportunity to walk alongside my own children as they begin their schooling journey. Soon after, I questioned her whether she wanted to go to this new school next year, and I’ll forever remember her surprising words…

“No Mommy, I want you to teach me at home.”

I was shocked. At no time in my life prior to this day did I ever actually consider homeschooling my children. It was the furthest thing from what I had thought our plan was. 

But I pondered it. And prayed a lot. Asking for wisdom and the confirmation that I could actually succeed in homeschooling my own children. 

What I’ve Learned

For me, I think there was a stigma against homeschooling. From my schooling days, I only knew a handful of kids who lived this type of lifestyle. It appeared that they lived differently from their peers. And I thought  they couldn’t possibly be as equipped socially and academically for the real world after graduation. 

But I considered it anyway.

For the next 12 months, my husband and I felt the Lord’s hand of confirmation that we would begin this homeschooling journey, even if it was just for a year. 

But that year turned into another, and then another, and now 6 years later, we find ourselves situated in a lifestyle that we could never have dreamed would be possible for our family…

We have autonomy over their education.

We have flexibility over our schedule– to travel, to do school outside our home. 

We have a far greater amount of hours to invest in their lives each day.

For us, the benefits of this lifestyle have greatly outweighed any of our reservations, fears, or challenges. It’s brought us closer together as a family. It’s allowed us to experience freedom from the “hustle culture”, and it’s given us the chance to live out what matters most, even when every day isn’t great. 

That’s the first chapter of my homeschooling journey and one that I’ll forever be grateful for. I could have easily dismissed the nudge from my young daughter, but stopped, pondered it, and trusted that the Lord would provide if he brought me to it. 

This space is a spot where I’ll share my own experience, tips, and answers to many common questions surrounding homeschooling and motherhood. It’s a place where I want others to share their own successes or challenges. And one where I hope to add hope to the mother who feels her own nudge to live differently– whether that’s through homeschooling, living more simply, or being intentional in motherhood. 

Thanks for being here!