Embracing the Homeschool Journey: Challenges and Joys

Choosing Homeschool: Our Hopeful Start and Real-Life Challenges

The wonderful feeling of hope as we start a new homeschool year — everyone is refreshed after coming off of a relaxing and fun summer. There are new books, binders, clean unmarked paper, and freshly sharpened pencils. The school room is organized and ready for eager learners. Even nature gives that calming sense of hope for a new homeschool year — there is a crispness in the air as the days slowly become shorter and the nights cooler. It sets the tone to spend quality time with my children as we dive into our homeschool books.

It is the first day of our homeschool year, and I joyfully gather the younger children. As always, I begin the school day with them, and we all excitedly sit down, ready to go. It’s amazing how, after a good summer break, even the youngest kids are ready for a school routine. Hopeful thoughts and plans run through my mind — this year will go smoothly! I feel organized and ready. This will be a good year! No crazy life events are happening (as of now). The dreams of that perfect homeschool year feel within reach. I know it!

Then reality comes crashing down before we’re even a few minutes into our first day. Three-year-old Gregory loudly begins making demands, while one-year-old Joshua makes it clear that weaning is not in his plan as he desperately tries to nurse. Then seven-year-old Theodore starts crying because Gregory is too loud. Suddenly, it’s all too much. From the other room, the older children are already yelling for my help.

My thoughts quickly turn to: Why am I doing this? This is just too much stress. I could send five children away for the day! It would be so much easier. All my problems would be solved!

But then, as the panic subsides, I return to our decision — the one Paul and I have made with conviction: There is no easier path. We must choose endurance in what we believe is the best choice for our children’s education — homeschooling.

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Homeschool vs. Traditional School: Our Family’s Choice

No matter how parents choose to educate their children, it will not be easy — because all elements of parenting are hard (Is “hard” even a strong enough word? A thought for another time.) Even when I think about sending the kids to traditional school, I realize that path would be difficult too. School comes with its own stresses. Someone else would be dictating the schedule; there would be deadlines to meet, and let’s not forget all the extra driving!

At least at home, I’m in control of the stress. I have the freedom to make decisions tailored to each child’s education and pace. I know there are many excellent schools that do an amazing job, and yes — sending your kids to school is absolutely the right choice for some families.

But for us, Paul and I have chosen to be the ones in charge of our children’s education. We’ve made homeschooling part of our family’s mission — not because it’s easier, but because we believe it’s worth it.

The Freedom and Flexibility of Homeschooling: Why It Works for Our Family

Homeschooling our children gives us so many levels of freedom within our family. My children are all extroverts — they thrive in a full, active schedule. Honestly, Paul and I do as well! Sometimes I think it’s ironic we’re all home (Paul even works from home!) because we’re the opposite definition of homebodies.

Most mornings, my kids wake up and immediately ask, “What are we doing today? Are we going anywhere?” Their adventurous spirits are fulfilled through home education. Our homeschool schedule is flexible enough that we can follow spontaneous opportunities — like apple picking, hiking on a beautiful day, or squeezing in a last-minute playdate.

Of course, I always make sure we finish our important schoolwork before we head out on any adventures — but homeschooling gives me the freedom to take learning outside the books.

We also keep our kids very involved in extracurricular sports and activities. Dinnertime is often chaotic since we have something scheduled almost every weeknight. But even if we’re not all gathered around the dinner table every evening, I know we’ve already had meaningful time together during the day. That’s why I don’t feel like we’re overscheduled — we’ve already invested in each other before the outside activities begin.

Whether it’s a spontaneous outing or a scheduled sport, these activities give the kids extra motivation to complete their work during the day. And because we set our own homeschool schedule, we can make room for the things that matter most to our family.

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Homeschool Travel, Learning Adventures, and Finding Your Community

One of the biggest benefits of homeschooling is the freedom to travel any time of the year. We love taking a winter camping trip down south — see my post on glamping with a large family! These trips become an organic part of our homeschool curriculum. (Hello, Junior Ranger programs!)

Even more important than the flexibility and travel is the space homeschooling creates for life conversations with my children — those meaningful moments that can’t always be planned or timed. We’re also surrounded by a beautiful, supportive homeschool group that has given my kids invaluable lifelong friendships. I truly believe that having a homeschool community is one of the keys to success. If you’re considering homeschooling, find that community!

Yet even with all these blessings, this lifestyle takes perseverance. Homeschooling is not always easy — but it’s deeply worth it.

Homeschooling Multiple Kids: Embracing the Daily Challenges

As of now, I’m homeschooling five of my seven children. All of them are in different grade levels, and our days definitely vary — full of real-life challenges.

There’s a constant need to adjust our daily schedule, and I often find myself questioning whether the curriculum I chose is still the right fit. There are sibling fights, at least one child in a bad mood, and everything comes to a halt when sickness hits our house.

And yet — all of these experiences give my family the opportunity to grow in virtue… including mom and dad! Teaching our children at home has given us a deeper understanding of each child’s personality and helped us learn how to parent them in ways we may have never discovered otherwise.

When the First Day of School Isn’t Pinterest-Perfect

Our first homeschool day this year started off rough. I found myself triaging the chaos — helping each child with their individual needs, diffusing tension, and finally getting everyone somewhat settled.

And you know what? That was a win. Accomplishing anything on the first day is a success — am I right?

As for that perfect homeschool year I’d planned? I’ve realized something, fellow homeschool mamas: it’s all about how we define “perfect.”

What a “Perfect Homeschool Year” Really Looks Like

The perfect homeschool year isn’t one where no child complains, every lesson is joyfully completed, and the house magically stays spotless.

A perfect homeschool year is one where each moment is offered up to Jesus. It’s one where we expect interruptions — because who hasn’t had a day going beautifully until someone throws up or the baby has a blowout?

The perfect homeschool year means choosing flexibility and endurance in the midst of chaos.

Sometimes, it means simply calling it a day and starting fresh the next morning. My favorite Anne of Green Gables quote reminds me of that often:

“Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it.”
How hopeful is that?

I’ve learned that the perfect homeschool year is one where my family is thriving — not in perfection, but in love, flexibility, and purpose. And for us, we thrive in this homeschooling choice. I’m so grateful we live in a country where we have the freedom to educate our children at home.

As long as God is willing, homeschooling will remain our path — and truly, our way of life.

✨ What’s your biggest homeschool challenge—and what keeps you going? I’d love to hear in the comments!

Early math start while waiting for breakfast; homeschooling can be done anywhere in the home!

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