Growing up, my mom often remarked that home-schoolers were a bit eccentric. She would point to families we knew who had chosen to forgo public education, saying, “Look at that one; they must be part of a cult. And that one? Their kids can’t even read!” When I mentioned to my husband my plans to home-school our children, he shared similar concerns. He imagined home-schooling as a lifestyle filled with outdated beliefs, like rejecting evolution and dressing in long, flowing skirts.
There’s a common misconception that home-schoolers don’t appreciate teachers. This couldn’t be further from the truth; my own mother is a teacher, and my mother-in-law taught for years. Even my husband works as a public high school teacher. We have deep respect for educators; we simply believe that home-schooling is a better fit for our kids.
I have a specific philosophy about how children learn best, backed by my educational training, and unfortunately, the current public school system doesn’t align with that. I’m not a fan of glorifying historical figures like Columbus, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, or assigning busywork. I would likely drive my kids’ teachers crazy with my differing opinions, and they simply don’t have the time for that. So, we decided to keep our children at home.
Let’s set the record straight: we’re not anti-science. In fact, my husband and I are budding paleontologists who have a collection of fossils at home. Our children study these fossils as part of their curriculum, and we listen to podcasts about extinct whales for science lessons. They’re also fascinated by dinosaurs, learning the names of bones and where they fit in the anatomy.
We’re not involved in any cult or extreme religious group. We identify as Catholic, which means we do explore our faith, but we also acknowledge scientific truths. Our beliefs incorporate understanding that the world is round and revolves around the sun. We’re aware of the climate crisis and emphasize the importance of compassion for those affected by our excesses. My son is preparing for his first Communion this year, which adds a bit of focus to our religious education, but we don’t foster hate or intolerance.
My children are unique, but in a good way. One is passionate about Spinosaurus, while the other can provide detailed information about extinct sharks. They have plenty of friends, both home-schooled and public-schooled, and they engage socially in age-appropriate ways. They are confident and well-adjusted, not shy or disruptive.
I also break the mold of typical home-schooling moms. There’s a stereotype of us wearing denim skirts, but I prefer to wear stylish ModCloth dresses that flatter my figure and are far more comfortable than jeans. I have a well-defined beauty routine, just like any professional, and I don’t conform to outdated ideals about homemaking.
Many envision home-schoolers with large families, but I have three children. While I would love to have more someday, right now, three is just right for teaching early reading, the alphabet, and basic math. This way, my six-year-old gets reading lessons, my four-year-old works on his letters, and the baby gets lots of storytime. Each child receives plenty of focus from me.
And yes, my son can read. There’s a stereotype that home-schooled children struggle with literacy, but I believe children learn at their own pace. I know of someone who didn’t read until age 10, and he turned out perfectly fine. My almost-five-year-old may not be interested in letters yet, but that’s okay; Finland has shown that children often begin reading around age seven.
I certainly don’t fit the ideal of a traditional homemaker. Many assume that home-schooling moms are always in the kitchen, crafting homemade goods and growing vast gardens, but that’s not me. I spend more time driving my kids to activities than cooking, and I’m notorious for killing houseplants—even cacti!
We’re just a regular family who prefers to educate our children at home. My kids have friends, social skills, and we don’t subscribe to any bizarre ideologies. I don’t wear denim skirts or brew my own kombucha. We’re simply a typical family with typical kids, and home-schooling works for us just fine.
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In summary, home-schooling doesn’t define us as “weird.” We are simply a family that has chosen a different educational path. With friends and social interactions, we’re thriving, just like any other family.