In this conversation, three homeschool mothers—Maggie, Christina, and June—reflect on the unique journey that homeschooling has led them on. Their insights shed light on why they chose to homeschool, the unexpected benefits that deepened their commitment, and the invaluable relationships they’ve built within their families and communities. Here are their reflections on why homeschooling means so much to them, with a look at the challenges, joys, and profound moments of growth that have come along the way.

This is just part of a longer conversation between these homeschooling moms. You can read all the interview articles on our blog, or view the video interviews in our How I Homeschool course, available for free on My Compass Classroom.

The Beginnings of Our Homeschooling Journey

The Decision to Homeschool: A Leap of Faith

Each mother’s journey began with a moment of decision that shaped the lives of their families in ways they never expected. Maggie shares, “When my husband and I got married, we both worked as teachers, and I always pictured my kids in a traditional school setting.” However, her husband noticed that the children he admired most for their character and engagement often came from homeschooling families. This observation opened her to the idea, and what began as a temporary trial turned into a lifelong commitment.

Christina, on the other hand, simply found herself not ready to part with her children. “When it was time to send my oldest to kindergarten, I just loved being with my children,” she recalls. This love for spending time together blossomed into a journey of education and personal growth for the whole family.

The Initial Motivation: Academic Freedom and Values

For many, the choice to homeschool was motivated by the desire to provide a more personalized, values-based education. Maggie notes, “Initially, it was about quality of education, being able to weave in a biblical worldview.” In a homeschool setting, the curriculum could be tailored to reflect their faith and values, providing a seamless way to incorporate scripture into learning without compartmentalizing faith from life.

Growing Through the Challenges

When Things Get Hard: Finding Strength in Purpose

While the choice to homeschool is often rooted in ideals, the reality of it can be challenging. Maggie shares that there were years when she doubted if she could continue. She recalls, “I would look at my other options, and then at the benefits that came from keeping them home, and I wasn’t willing to make a change.” This steadfastness, even through tough times, allowed her to focus on the ultimate purpose of homeschooling: building deep relationships with her children and nurturing their individual learning paths.

Christina and June echo these sentiments, acknowledging that while the daily journey is sometimes hard, the opportunity to grow together and live out their faith at home has been transformational. As Christina reflects, “Working through things together, learning to forgive, confront each other, and live the gospel out at home has been a real education for me too. I feel like I’ve been homeschooled alongside them.”

Building Resilience and Relationships

Homeschooling also brings a unique depth to family relationships. Through this shared experience, siblings build close bonds that carry through their lives. “Our girls have developed really deep friendships that have been fun to watch grow,” Christina shares. This connection extends beyond sibling relationships to friendships with other families in their homeschool community, adding layers of support and companionship.

Discovering the Unexpected Joys

Fostering a Love of Learning and Creativity

One of the most fulfilling aspects of homeschooling for these mothers has been the freedom to learn alongside their children and rediscover the joy of education. June expresses this beautifully, saying, “I love learning with my kids, reading books I never read growing up. It makes science, history, and everything else come alive.” She shares the thrill of seeing her children grasp concepts in ways that are unique to their family’s approach, noting that the depth and flexibility of homeschooling bring learning to life.

Maggie adds, “Our kids can harness their imagination about subject matter and just go with it for long stretches of time.” This ability to pursue their interests freely, without the confines of a traditional school day, has allowed their children to engage deeply in play, imagination, and exploration.

Nurturing Independence and Self-Direction

Another joy of homeschooling is witnessing children grow into self-directed learners. June fondly recalls afternoons when her children, given the freedom to structure their own time, immerse themselves in play or quiet reading. “It took years of training them to sit with a book or play together, but now it’s a non-issue. They are self-directed in their work and even in their play,” she says.

This slow cultivation of independence has not only enriched their children’s lives but also contributed to a peaceful home environment. Christina notes, “There’s something about a quiet, relaxed house where kids feel comfortable in their own activities, a harmony that feels like the fruit of years invested.”

Community and Connection

Building Lifelong Friendships

For these mothers, the connections they’ve made with other homeschool families have been just as impactful as their relationships with their children. Maggie reflects on how her children have built deep friendships, not just with children their own age, but with whole families. “Our community is such a sweet part of homeschooling,” she says, acknowledging the many families that have come in and out of their circle over the years.

This communal aspect of homeschooling is not just a support system; it’s a rich environment that allows children to form meaningful, cross-generational bonds. As Christina observes, “Our girls have friends in our homeschool community that are like family. Watching those relationships grow over the years has been a beautiful part of the journey.”

Learning from One Another

In a homeschool community, parents, too, benefit from shared wisdom and encouragement. June expresses gratitude for the examples set by her friends, sharing that seeing their children’s vitality and imagination helped dispel her own doubts about homeschooling. “Watching your girls, seeing their light and life—that broke a lot of stereotypes for me,” she tells Maggie and Christina. This mutual inspiration creates a space where families can grow together, encouraging one another to persevere and thrive in homeschooling.

The Gift of Time

At the heart of each mother’s reflection is the overwhelming gratitude for the time spent with their children. Maggie articulates a sentiment echoed by all: “You’ll never regret the time you spend with your children. If anything, you’ll just wish you had more.”

Homeschooling, they agree, is a path that requires commitment, patience, and sometimes sacrifice. But in the process, it gifts families with deep relationships, a love of learning, and a profound appreciation for each moment spent together. As Christina puts it, “These are the shared memories that will last a lifetime, a gift that’s unique to homeschooling and one we’ll always cherish.”

For these mothers, homeschooling has become not just a way of educating their children but a way of life—one that is deeply rooted in faith, community, and the beauty of simply being together.

Enjoy the entire conversation between these homeschooling moms in our How I Homeschool course, available for free on My Compass Classroom.

Need some help and encouragement to take these steps in your own homeschool? Christina, one of the moms from the interview above, would love to come alongside you for help and encouragement. Book a one-on-one appointment with her or one of our other veteran moms—no long-term commitment is needed. Learn more about our coaching services.