Two years ago, if you had told me I’d be a homeschooling mom, I would have laughed. Loudly. The school bus, the parent-teacher conferences, the chaotic morning rush—that was our normal. But normal, as we discovered, wasn’t necessarily what was best for our kids. This isn’t a story about why public school is bad, but it is the story of why it wasn’t the right fit for us, and how we navigated the terrifying, wonderful, and ultimately rewarding leap into homeschooling.
My son, Leo, is bright and curious, but the rigid structure of a 30-student classroom was dimming his light. He’d come home bored, complaining that he already knew the material. My daughter, Mia, is creative and learns best by doing, but the one-size-fits-all curriculum left little room for her hands-on approach. We were watching our kids, once so full of wonder, start to see learning as a chore.
The breaking point was a parent-teacher conference where we were told Leo was “distracting” because he finished his work early and that Mia needed to “focus more on the book.” We realized the system wasn’t failing; it just wasn’t built for them. That night, my husband and I looked at each other and asked the scariest question of our parenting lives: “What if we did it ourselves?”
Taking the Leap: Overcoming the Fear of the Unknown
The initial decision was terrifying. The doubts were a tidal wave. Am I qualified? What about socialization? Can we even afford it? We spent weeks in a research rabbit hole, reading everything we could find about the pros and cons of homeschooling.
We learned that the biggest myth is that you need to be a certified teacher. The reality is, you just need to be a dedicated facilitator of your child’s learning. You’re not expected to know everything; you’re expected to know how to find the answers alongside them. This was a huge relief.
The “socialization” question was our next biggest fear, but we quickly found that it was unfounded. Our area has a vibrant homeschooling co-op, sports leagues, and community classes. We realized homeschooling doesn’t mean learning in a bubble; it means the entire world becomes your classroom, and you can be more intentional about who your children interact with.
With our biggest fears addressed, we moved on to the most practical and overwhelming hurdle of all: the curriculum.
Navigating the Curriculum Maze: Finding the Perfect Fit
If you’re new to homeschooling, be warned: choosing a curriculum can feel like drinking from a firehose. There are worktext-based programs, literature-based programs, classical methods, unschooling, and a dizzying array of online platforms.
For us, the choice was guided by our kids. The biggest hurdle was choosing a curriculum. We felt overwhelmed by the options, but since my kids are tech-savvy, we started by looking at online programs. We read dozens of monarch homeschool reviews and were impressed by its interactive features. Ultimately, we found a great breakdown of different learning styles on a website that verifies promo codes like gettopdiscounts, which helped us make our final choice and save money.
We were drawn to Monarch’s online format for several reasons. The automatic grading was a huge plus for me, freeing up my time to focus on teaching rather than administrative work. The video lessons and interactive games were perfect for keeping both kids engaged, and the ability for them to work at their own pace was exactly the flexibility we had been looking for. It wasn’t the cheapest option, but the value it offered in terms of a comprehensive, engaging education was undeniable.
The First 90 Days: Reality Sets In
Our first month was a mix of chaos and magic. We threw the rigid 8 AM to 3 PM schedule out the window and built a new rhythm. Some days, we did math at the kitchen table. Other days, we took our science lesson to a local nature preserve. There were days filled with frustration and tears (mostly mine!), but there were also breakthrough moments that never would have happened in a traditional classroom.
I’ll never forget one afternoon when Mia was struggling with a concept in her online history lesson. Instead of just re-reading the text, we stopped everything, went to the library, and checked out three books on ancient Egypt. We spent the rest of the day building a shoebox pyramid. She not only learned the material, she experienced it. That was the moment I knew we had made the right choice.
The journey wasn’t perfect, but it was ours. We were learning and growing as a family, and for the first time, my kids were genuinely excited about their education.
Frequently Asked Questions from Our Homeschooling Journey
When people find out we homeschool, they always ask the same questions. Here are the honest answers to the top 10.
- How did you know it was time to switch from public school?
It was a gut feeling confirmed by evidence. When we saw our children’s natural curiosity fading and being replaced by boredom and frustration, we knew the environment wasn’t serving them. The final push was realizing the system couldn’t adapt to their individual learning styles. - Is homeschooling expensive?
It can be, but it doesn’t have to be. There are free resources, library programs, and a wide range of curriculum options at every price point. We chose a mid-range online curriculum, but our biggest savings came from not having to buy school uniforms, endless supplies, or pay for expensive after-school programs. - What about socialization?
This is the biggest myth! Our kids are more socialized now than before. They interact with people of all ages through our co-op, sports, volunteer work, and community events. They’re learning to talk to adults and play with younger kids, which is a real-world skill. - What does a typical homeschool day look like?
There is no “typical” day, which is the beauty of it! We generally do structured “book work” for 3-4 hours in the morning, covering core subjects. The afternoons are for hands-on projects, reading, physical activity, or field trips. - Do I need to be a certified teacher?
Absolutely not. You need to be organized, dedicated, and willing to learn alongside your child. The curriculum provides the framework; you provide the guidance and encouragement. - How much time does it take per day?
One-on-one instruction is incredibly efficient. For elementary and middle school, we spend about 3-5 hours on focused learning per day. The rest of the day is for play, exploration, and life skills. - What about standardized testing?
This depends entirely on your state’s laws. Some states require annual testing, while others don’t. We use optional end-of-year assessments provided by our curriculum to make sure our kids are on track. - How did your kids adjust to the change?
Leo adjusted immediately. He loved the freedom to work ahead. Mia took a few weeks to “de-school” and break free from the rigid structure she was used to, but once she realized she had the freedom to be creative, she thrived. - What’s the hardest part about homeschooling?
Being “on” 24/7. You are the teacher, principal, cafeteria lady, and janitor. It requires patience and a strong support system. Finding time for yourself is essential. - What’s the best part about homeschooling?
The freedom. The flexibility. And the incredible gift of watching your children fall in love with learning again. Seeing that spark of curiosity reignite in their eyes is worth every single challenge.
A Journey Worth Taking
Making the switch to homeschooling was the hardest and best decision we’ve ever made. It’s a journey, not a destination, filled with constant learning and adaptation. If you’re standing at that same fork in the road, feeling that same mix of fear and hope, know this: you are more capable than you think, and the rewards are greater than you can imagine