I know it might sound like a cliché, but it’s true: If someone had told me a decade ago, or even five years ago, that I would find myself homeschooling my child and absolutely loving it, I would have dismissed the idea as pure fantasy.
Back in those days, I was a young, enthusiastic public school teacher. I vividly remember those hallway chats with fellow teachers, one of whom would adamantly declare, "I would never send my child to a private school," a sentiment echoed by everyone around. The consensus was clear: opting for a private school implied that public school teachers weren't deemed good enough for your own kids. As a part of that collective, I agreed—it seemed to make perfect sense.
At that time, homeschooling wasn’t even a blip on my radar. It seemed reserved for extremists or doomsday believers. I didn’t personally know anyone who homeschooled, nor did I consider it a viable educational choice.
Fast forward about six years and a whirlwind of life experiences later, I found myself expecting my first child. My then-husband and I bought a house in what we believed to be the best public school district, feeling confident that we were making the right choices and that I had all the answers as a soon-to-be perfect mom.
However, holding that tiny life in my arms and acquiring a new job title—Mom—changed everything. I soon realized that I didn't have all the answers and that most of my previous plans and opinions were suddenly obsolete.
My son grew into a sensitive, intelligent, and kind-hearted soul. When he turned two, issues surfaced at the local daycare. Teacher turnover was rampant, and my once-sweet child started dreading going to "school." My instincts kicked in, and investigations revealed a distressing environment where new teachers were yelling at the children and playing movies all day. While other kids seemed okay, mine couldn't handle the yelling and became terrified.
I promptly withdrew him and began a search for a better daycare. After numerous tours, I discovered a local, small private school with an early childhood class. The difference was palpable—the teachers were gentle, class sizes were small, and the children spent their days exploring a vast wooded campus, making snacks, and, most importantly, being genuinely cared for by the teachers.
I fell in love with this setting and couldn't stop talking about it. My son thrived there, and as he grew older, his happiness persisted.
But when the time came for kindergarten, I faced a dilemma. The conventional plan was to transition to public school, but observing my child's needs and thriving environment, I couldn’t disrupt his stability. My plans had to change.
We continued at the small school, and initially, everything went well. However, as kindergarten progressed, problems arose with another child. My son faced constant distress and mistreatment. Despite discussions with teachers and the principal, nothing improved. His mental health deteriorated, affecting his eating, sleep, and self-esteem. My previously happy child began to struggle.
A break from school brought unexpected relief. He attended a rock climbing camp, and within days, the change in him was remarkable. He returned to his cheerful self—smiling, sleeping, and engaging positively.
Four days before school resumed, I made a definitive decision. I couldn’t subject him to that toxic environment any longer. I researched homeschooling laws, filled out paperwork, and withdrew him from both the public school and the private one.
There were uncertainties ahead, but a weight lifted off our shoulders. I realized that when I listened to my instincts as a mother, the path became clear. Over the next few weeks, I immersed myself in research, curriculum planning, and homeschool groups.
Through this experience, I’ve learned a profound lesson in parenting—to trust my inner intuition. Problems arise when I try to adhere rigidly to predetermined notions of what life should be. When I put my child's actual needs before societal expectations, the right decision becomes crystal clear.
Homeschooling wasn't something I ever imagined doing, but once I let go of the "shoulds" and focused on what was best for my child, the choice was easy. And looking back, I've never doubted it.
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