Why We Chose to Homeschool

We’re now four years into our homeschooling journey, and the question I hear most often is: “Why did you decide to do this?” Believe me, there have been days when I’ve asked myself the same thing! But as time has passed, those moments of doubt have become fewer and farther between. The more we’ve leaned into this lifestyle, the more we’ve seen the beauty and purpose behind it.

My husband and I have spent a lot of time reflecting on our own educational experiences—why certain things worked for one of us but not the other, why he thrived in college while I struggled, and how our unique gifts could have been nurtured better as children. Most importantly, we wondered why so much of what we learned in school faded from memory the moment we left the classroom.

That reflection led us to a simple realization: there had to be a better way to learn. A way that truly prepares our children for life, not just for tests. Every homeschooling family has its own reasons for choosing this path, and today, I want to share ours.

Fostering a Love of Learning

“The human mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited.” —Plutarch

One night while driving, my son suddenly asked, “What is electricity?” It was raining, lightning flashed in the distance, and I could see his little eyes following the power lines as he waited for my response.

In that moment, I had no idea how to explain electricity to a five-year-old. So, enter Google search! Each answer led to another question, which led to another, until finally, we found a long video on the topic and spent the rest of our drive learning together.

That’s what learning should be—curiosity sparked, questions asked, connections made. But somewhere along the way, the joy of learning has been replaced with test-taking. Education has been boxed into rigid categories, subjects, and rules that often do more to stifle curiosity than to nurture it.

Will my kids love everything they learn at home? No. But what I can do is keep learning real. If I had handed my son a textbook on electricity, would he have remembered any of it? Probably not. But that night, with the rain falling, power lines stretching overhead, and the lightning flickering in the sky, he connected the dots. He experienced learning. And that kind of learning sticks.

The Gift of Flexibility and Freedom

Have you ever wanted to just scoop up your kids and take off on an adventure? Me too. And homeschooling lets us do exactly that.

There’s no asking for permission to travel, no stack of makeup work waiting for us when we return. Instead, we have the freedom to learn wherever we go. Whether it’s a last-minute trip to visit family, tagging along with my husband on a work trip, or taking school outside on a beautiful day, we get to decide what works best for us.

We also love the flexibility of year-round schooling, which allows us to take breaks when we need them and avoid burnout. This winter, we’re traveling to Mexico as a family, and instead of worrying about missed school days, we’ll be learning as we explore. My daughter takes piano lessons in the middle of the day, giving us more quality time in the evenings. Grocery trips, haircuts, and visits with loved ones happen when it’s convenient for our family, not according to a school schedule.

Homeschooling doesn’t mean we’re tied to a desk—it means we’re free to embrace life and learning as one and the same.

Teaching According to Our Convictions

“We cannot continue to send our children to Caesar for their education and be surprised when they come home as Romans.” —Voddie T. Baucham Jr.

“If Psalm 1 is to be believed, we must not allow our children to stand, sit, or walk with those who deny biblical truth and morality. Instead, we must place them in situations that will aid them in meditating on the law of the Lord ‘day and night.'” —Voddie Baucham Jr.

These early years are foundational, shaping the character, values, and faith that will guide my children into adulthood. We want to be the ones to nurture those qualities—to build a home rooted in love, respect, honesty, kindness, and faith.

The public school system plays a huge role in shaping young minds, yet most of the adults influencing our children for 6–8 hours a day have no personal connection to our families. How can we be sure that the principles we are instilling at home and in church are being reinforced in the classroom? Simply put, we can’t.

For us, homeschooling is about more than academics. It’s about making sure our children grow up with a strong foundation in truth, knowing who they are and what they believe before they step into the world.

A Better Use of Their Time

Let’s take a moment to break down the typical day of the average public-schooled child.

• 6:30 AM – Wake up, get dressed, eat a rushed breakfast.
• 7:30 AM – Catch the bus, spending anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes just getting to school.
• 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM – Classroom time, broken up by transitions, waiting, and keeping up with the pace of 20+ other students.
• 12:00 PM – Lunchtime, where kids wait in line, eat quickly in 15-20 minutes, and spend more time being directed than relaxing.
• 12:30 PM – A short 30-minute recess, their only real chance to move freely.
• 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM – More time spent in the classroom.
• 3:30 – 4:00 PM – Waiting for the bus.
• 4:00 PM – Another 30-60 minutes on the bus to get home.

By the time they walk through the front door, they’ve spent anywhere from 8-10 hours dedicated to school-related activities. And yet, despite all that time, they still have homework waiting for them.

We should all be asking, “Where does the time go?”

When you really step back and examine it, how much of that time is truly spent learning? Between waiting, reviewing material at a pace set for the group, standing in line, transitioning between classes, and test prep, the actual quality learning time is much shorter than you’d think.

The public school system operates on a one-size-fits-all schedule, not because it’s the most effective way to learn, but because it’s necessary for managing large groups of students. And that’s not even considering the exhaustion, stress, and overstimulation that comes from spending so many hours in a highly structured environment with little personal choice.

The Homeschool Difference

Now, compare this to a homeschool day. While every family’s schedule looks different, a typical day for us involves:

• A slower, more peaceful morning, where breakfast is unrushed and kids wake up naturally.
• 2-4 hours of focused learning, covering subjects in an engaging, efficient way—often through real-life applications.
• Plenty of breaks to play, move, and explore.
• Afternoons filled with creativity, nature, family time, or hands-on learning experiences instead of long bus rides and homework.

When I realized how much of a traditional school day was spent on things other than actual learning, it became clear that homeschooling could provide a better use of their time.

Children don’t need to spend eight hours a day in a classroom to get a meaningful education. They need space to grow, explore, and truly absorb what they’re learning—without being rushed from one subject to the next.

Because at the end of the day, education isn’t about how much time you spend sitting at a desk—it’s about how much you actually take in, experience, and apply to real life.

A Strength-Centered Education

“The design and intention of our country’s public education system was never to educate nor meet the needs of ALL students. Rather, its purpose was to prepare students, in mass, to work in an industrialized, standardized economy.”

One-size-fits-all education doesn’t work because children aren’t all the same. Each of my kids has unique strengths, interests, and ways of learning, and homeschooling allows me to tailor their education accordingly.

Instead of forcing them into a standardized system, we focus on nurturing their natural talents, encouraging creativity, and helping them become self-directed learners. Yes, reading and math are important, but I also want my children to develop skills that will serve them for a lifetime—problem-solving, critical thinking, and the confidence to pursue their passions.

Learning Through Everyday Experiences

Every day presents an opportunity to learn.

Education isn’t just about what happens in books—it’s about real-world experiences. Learning happens in the kitchen while measuring ingredients, at the grocery store while budgeting, and out in the world while meeting new people and exploring new places.

When I stopped seeing learning as something that only happens in a classroom, I realized just how much this world has to offer. And I want my children to experience all of it.

By choosing to homeschool, we’ve created a lifestyle where learning is woven into everything we do. It’s not just about preparing my kids for tests—it’s about preparing them for life. And for our family, that makes all the difference.

Why Homeschooling Works for Us

At the end of the day, homeschooling isn’t just about academics—it’s about shaping our children into who they are meant to be. It’s about fostering a love of learning, embracing the freedom to explore, and building a foundation of faith and family that will guide them for life.

Is it always easy? No. But is it worth it? A thousand times, yes.

We chose homeschooling because we wanted something different, something deeper—an education that isn’t confined to four walls, rigid schedules, or standardized tests. We wanted to give our children the gift of curiosity, the space to grow, and the freedom to truly live their education.

This journey has challenged us, stretched us, and blessed us in more ways than we ever imagined. And while every family’s path looks different, for us, this is home. This is where we’re meant to be.

So if you’ve ever considered homeschooling or even just wondered if there’s another way, I encourage you to lean into that curiosity. Because sometimes, the best learning happens when we step outside of what we’ve always known and embrace the possibilities waiting for us.