Why We Chose Homeschooling…And Why It's One of the Best Decisions We’ve Ever Made
Nearly five years ago, our family made the decision to homeschool. It started as a practical solution…we were relocating due to my retirement from the military, and our daughter was about to start kindergarten. Enrolling her in a new school mid-year, especially with her severe food allergies, wasn’t just complicated…it felt risky. But truth be told, we were already leaning in this direction. Public schools had long lost our confidence.
Let’s be honest: the decline in public education didn’t begin with COVID. The pandemic merely pulled back the curtain. For decades, schools have struggled to do the one thing they’re supposed to do…teach. Reading and math scores have been declining for years, and the focus has shifted from foundational knowledge to bureaucracy, test prep, and ideological trends. COVID didn’t break the camel’s back; it forced parents to finally look at the camel.
The Original Why
Our reasons for choosing to homeschool were clear from the start:
A mid-year move meant awkward transitions and limited private school availability.
Our daughter’s life-threatening food allergies made the typical classroom setting a potential danger zone.
A desire for real education, not busywork, test prepping, or politicized content.
We believed we could give our children more…more depth, more challenge, more freedom, more values-based instruction…at home than any classroom could. Five years later, we’ve been proven right.
Where We Are Now
Fast forward: Our daughter is entering 4th grade and our son is starting 1st. They’ve been homeschooled since the beginning, and the results speak for themselves.
Academic Achievement:
Our daughter reads at a 6th-grade level and writes in cursive. She does multiplication, division, fractions, and basic geometry with confidence. Our son, though younger, is already adding, subtracting, and identifying patterns…including those that build basic code.Civic & Historical Literacy:
Our kids know the Constitution…and not just by name. Our daughter can list and explain all the amendments. She understands the three branches of government, how the state government works, and key moments and people in U.S. and world history, including Ancient Greece, Rome, and China.Science & Curiosity:
From meteorology to geology, from renewable energy to biology, our kids are developing a real-world understanding of how things work, not just memorizing textbook definitions.Life Balance:
They’re up early…but not too early…and lessons are usually done in half the time a traditional school day would take. That means more time for extracurriculars, deeper learning, or just being kids.
But What About Socialization?
Let’s address the elephant in the room. The one question every homeschooling parent hears on repeat: “Aren’t you worried about socialization?”
Short answer: Nope.
Long answer: Our kids might not have as many friends their age as other kids do…but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Have you seen kids lately? Rudeness, screen addiction, entitlement, and emotional instability are rampant. We’d rather our children learn how to converse with people of all ages, show respect, and hold their own in a real conversation. And that’s exactly what they do. They’re bold, curious, polite, and confident…unless they’re around unruly, chaotic kids… then they’re understandably uncomfortable.
And frankly, we take that as a good sign.
Other Benefits We’ve Discovered
Homeschooling offers much more than academics. Some added bonuses:
Customization: Lessons tailored to their pace and passions.
Family Bonding: We learn and grow together.
Freedom to Travel: Learning isn’t tied to a school calendar.
Character Development: We teach our kids how to think, not what to think.
Faith-Based Learning: Our values are built into everything they learn.
Is It Hard? Yes. Is It Worth It? Absolutely.
This isn’t easy. There are days that stretch me thin. There are seasons when exhaustion creeps in, and I wonder if I’m doing enough. But never…not once…have I wished to hand my kids off to someone else. I don’t long for a break from them. I chose this life because I believe in it. Because I love being the one who gets to witness their growth, their discoveries, and their curiosity firsthand.
We’re raising capable, grounded, joyful human beings. We’re giving them the gift of a real education, built on truth, curiosity, and values…not trends or test scores. We’re equipping them to lead, to stand firm, and to think critically in a world that desperately needs all three.
Homeschooling might not be for everyone. But if you’re on the fence…if you can do it…I truly believe it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give your child.
