Why We Chose Homeschooling
I had romantically dreamed of homeschooling my kids when I was pregnant with my son, but changed my mind shortly after being overwhelmed with all the WORK that comes with motherhood. So I shoved the notion that I could (or wanted to) homeschool my kids deep into the recesses of my mind.
Yet here we are. 9 years later. And I have officially pulled my son out of public school! The rush of emotions when I actually did it was intense. Waves of excitement, fear, relief and intimidation all at once. We are about four months into our new educational journey and WOW, it has become one of the most meaningful, stretching, and faith building decisions our family has made.
Today, I want to share why we chose homeschooling, and the very real fears I had to face while making the decision.
We Didn’t Choose Homeschooling Because It Looked Easy
Let’s get this out of the way first: We did not choose homeschooling because it looked quiet, convenient, or Instagram perfect.
We chose it because something in my heart kept tugging.
I wanted:
More time together as a family
Slower mornings
Freedom to shape our days
Flexibility to travel, rest, and do real life
And most importantly, a way to include faith in our kids education
I didn’t want faith and Jesus sequestered to Sunday mornings. I wanted it to be part of how we lived, learned, struggled, repented, forgave, and grew. Still, wanting something doesn’t mean you’re not afraid to step into it.
The Fears
Not enough people talk about how scary it is to leave the normalcy of public school. So I’ll just lay out my personal worries.
“What if I mess this up?”
This was my biggest fear. Education felt so permanent. So heavy. What if I failed these tiny humans? What if they fell behind their peers? What if I missed something important?
“Am I patient enough for this?”
Let’s be so for real, your own kids know exactly which of your buttons to push to send you right over the edge and into crazy town. And teaching your own children will reveal every weakness you thought you had under control. I worried about being able to control my temper, managing my expectations, and giving my kids grace while learning.
“What about socialization?”
This is the one everyone asks, right? I worried if the kids would feel isolated. Would they be missing out? Is it selfish to keep them with me?
The Moment That Changed Everything
What finally tipped the scale for me wasn’t a perfect plan. It was peace. Not the kind of peace that says, “This will be easy,” but the kind that says, “I will walk you through this.” I realized something simple, but powerful. God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
I didn’t need to know everything. I just needed to be willing to learn alongside my children. So we took the leap. Scared, unsure, and deeply dependent on prayer.
What I’ve learned Since Choosing Homeschool
Now that we’re in it, here’s what I know for sure:
homeschooling has strengthened our family relationships
my kids feel deeply known and supported
we love having quiet mornings (no rushing to the bus stop with a slice of toast in hand)
we can slow down when life gets heavy
we can speed up when curiosity takes over
faith is not only for Sunday mornings, its a lifestyle
Is everyday peaceful? HECK NO!
Do we get behind sometimes? Oh yeah.
Do I still doubt myself (and my sanity) sometimes? Yep Yep Yep.
But I wouldn’t trade this life for the comfort of what’s familiar.
If You’re Standing At The Edge, Feeling Afraid
If you’re reading this while quietly considering homeschooling, maybe feeling pulled towards it but scared, I want you to hear this:
You don’t have to be perfectly organized.
You don’t have to be endlessly patient.
You don’t have to have all the answers.
You just need:
a willing heart
a teachable spirit
and the courage to start where you are
Fear doesn’t mean you’re unqualified. It often means you’re standing at the doorway of growth.
Why I Created Rooted At Home
I created this space for moms like you (and like me):
Moms who love their kids deeply but still doubt themselves
Moms who want faith woven into everyday life
Moms who care about learning and whole-family health
Moms who are tired of chasing perfection
Here at Rooted at Home, you’ll find:
Honest homeschool rhythms
Faith-filled encouragement
Health and nourishment for real life
Reviews of tools, curriculum, and products we actually use
And grace for the messy middle
You Are NOT Alone!
You are welcome here. We are growing, learning, and staying rooted…together!