I’m a homeschooling mother of three and my decision to educate at home was largely influenced by my own experiences as a student—like feeling bored and facing bullying—as well as my time as a summer teacher. When I reflected on a typical school day, I realized that out of six hours, I was only teaching for about two. I knew I wouldn’t put my kids through that.
Whenever I share that I homeschool, I often encounter unsolicited opinions. It seems everyone has something to say about my children’s education, and somehow, their perspectives are always deemed more valid than mine.
What grades are your kids in?
Honestly, I don’t keep track of grades. Instead, I focus on what they can do. For instance, my 7-year-old can read The BFG and some interesting Revolutionary War novels. He knows basic addition, is working on subtraction, and can even multiply a bit. He can count coins and has a good grasp of time. Plus, he can tell you about historical figures like Lafayette and Hamilton. So to me, that’s where he is academically.
Aren’t you concerned about socialization?
Absolutely. Public schools are often portrayed as the gold standard for socialization, where kids are grouped by age and expected to conform. My children engage with peers of various ages, whether through skating lessons, co-ops (which are weekly classes for homeschoolers), or playdates. They learn to interact with younger and older kids alike. So yes, I worry about socialization—just not in the way most people think.
Is this a religious choice?
For many families, it is. However, for us, while we value our faith, it’s not the reason we homeschool. We include catechism in our routine to avoid Sunday school, but that’s just part of our educational mix. Secular homeschooling is a genuine option, and we are part of that community.
Don’t you realize you’re privileged?
Yes, I do. I am fortunate to have the ability to homeschool my children. However, that doesn’t mean I have to conform to traditional educational standards for them.
Aren’t you harming public education by opting out?
These are my children we’re talking about. I’m not going to sacrifice their needs for a broader agenda. I do advocate for educational reform and attend rallies, but my priority is my kids’ education. By the way, we also contribute tax dollars that support public schools, which means fewer kids per funding dollar.
Homeschooled kids are weird.
That’s not a question, but I’ll address it anyway. Yes, my kids have unique interests—my 7-year-old knows all the lyrics to Hamilton, while my 5-year-old is obsessed with dinosaurs. They enjoy their passions, and while they may not engage with mainstream trends like Pokémon or fidget spinners, they are happy and content in their own world.
How do you think you’re qualified to teach?
I’m not just anyone—I’m pursuing a doctoral degree in composition and rhetoric, which focuses on pedagogy. But even if you don’t have advanced degrees, there are numerous resources and curricula available to assist in homeschooling.
What do you do all day?
We engage in structured learning, which includes reading, math, and sometimes even history. That usually takes about two and a half hours. The rest of the day is spent doing various activities, like exploring outdoors or pursuing creative projects. Learning happens in many forms, and play is essential for young children’s development.
In summary, homeschooling is a fulfilling journey for me and my kids. We focus on personalized learning and social engagement, proving that education can happen outside the traditional classroom setting. For more insights into home-based education, check out this post on our other blog, Intracervical Insemination. If you’re interested in the broader context of insemination methods, Make a Mom offers a wealth of information. For those looking into pregnancy topics, Healthline is an excellent resource.