I Ignored My Family’s Advice and Homeschooled My Daughter

As a child, the Columbine school shooting impacted my elementary school experience and beyond. My naivete about safety was instantly shattered. It was the first time I realized that danger could come into a classroom at any moment.

Years passed, and I became a mom. As my daughter approached school age, school rules changed, active shooter drills became the norm, and every parent dreaded the emergency call that their child’s school was on lockdown. I didn’t want to live in that daily state of worry.

Along with that fear, I worried my daughter would not learn about physical safety, emotional intelligence, self-care, and spiritual growth in a traditional school.

The natural choice for my kindergarten-aged daughter was for me to homeschool.

Everyone — including myself — doubted my decision to homeschool

“Are you excited to start school soon?”

My five-year-old daughter heard this question all summer from eager family, friends, and strangers. Their smiles slowly faded as they heard that instead of walking into a school to attend classes, she would be walking into our dining room with me as her teacher.

The questions turned my way: “Why would you do that?” “Don’t you want a break?” “You’re not even a real teacher.”

I began internalizing those opinions and felt compelled to prove myself as a good teacher. I quickly felt overwhelmed from being under my self-imposed microscope.

Every choice left me feeling stuck: What curriculum should I choose? What learning style is best? Who was Charlotte Mason, and why did people swear by her teaching style?

Instead of seeing these challenges as beginner’s dues, I saw them as signs that I had made the wrong choice. I thought that a rigid learning plan would be the antidote, and it made the experience miserable for my class of one and me.

I was tempted to reconsider my decision. Suddenly, the option of having a silent home and seven hours of free time to myself was appealing. I felt like a fool for adding a job to my already overloaded plate by not following the traditional route.

I stuck with my plan, and it has worked out so far

Still, I decided to see my decision through and not quit at the starting line.

After researching, I settled on one formal curriculum to supplement the daily routines and life skills I was already teaching my kid. My daughter grasped the academic subjects quickly as I mixed the things she thrived in with new concepts.

I stopped trying to be a good teacher and started being the kind of mom I always wanted to be: one who teaches her daughter holistically.

Seeing her excitement and natural adaptation to learning inspired me to stick to the rhythm that works for us — whether others understand it or not.

I’m glad I stood firm on my vision for my daughter’s education. It has been the vehicle for giving her learning experiences that include intention, curiosity, and freedom.

Even though I had to confront both my doubts and my family’s, we are now living out what I always wanted success and safety to look like in our home.