When I got my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, I would have NEVER considered homeschooling. And yet, here I am in 2024, getting ready to begin my first homeschool year with my four sweet babies by my side.

So, you’re probably wondering… what changed? Why did I change my mind?

Let me tell you how our homeschool journey began.

2019 — “I Could See Why People Homeschool”

In 2019, Briella was really starting to learn and discover new things. It was the first time I remember thinking, “I could see why people homeschool. You get to watch your children learn.” I was sitting on the floor of her room while we played—it was such a distinct memory for me.

But I was still convinced she would go to private school because, well… that’s just how it goes. Because the school we planned to send her to had generations of family who had went there. How could I possibly change that?!

Homeschooled or not, I think we can all agree that watching your child learn something new is one of the best feelings in the world. There is such a pure joy in watching them finally understand something, seeing their excitement, and getting to soak in that moment together.

I loved that feeling!!

2020 — A Door Opened

Briella was signed up for preschool, but because of the mandatory masks, I decided to pull her and keep her home. I started doing my own thing with her, and during that year, something unexpected happened.

I started digging into homeschooling. I read about it. I learned about it. I watched other families. We dabbled in our first year of “homeschool preschool.”

And I loved teaching her.

I began to wonder if maybe homeschooling was something I could actually do.

But it still wasn’t our plan.

2022 — Pre-K

In 2022, Briella started Pre-K.I half-jokingly said, “Maybe I’ll just homeschool her.”The answer was a very firm no. Halfway through the year, she started having some trouble at school. We had a baby and got super sick after—definitely big changes at the home that she wanted to be home for. Her teacher was absolutely amazing and helped us through so much, but I couldn’t stop thinking about homeschooling.

I remember wondering if maybe this was happening because God knew I wouldn’t pull her.

But again, I told myself:

Tygh and I don’t agree on homeschooling.

And we have always believed that when it comes to big decisions for our family, we need to be on the same page.

I told myself that once she started going full days the following year, things would get better.

2023 — Kindergarten

Briella started kindergarten, and that pull toward homeschooling was still there. Dare I even say stronger! Again, a couple of months into the school year, we experienced some turbulence—from multiple different directions. I remember going into parent teacher conferences and being told she is already where we want her at for the end of the year and my first thought was…why the heck am I sending her still??

At this point, I felt like I was begging Tygh to say yes to homeschooling. The desire was so strong in my heart. I truly felt like God had put it there for a reason, and the pull just kept getting stronger.

But I eventually realized something.

I couldn’t force it.

So I surrendered it.

I remember praying something along the lines of:

“God, if this is what You want for our family, then please change Tygh’s heart and mind. I can’t do this myself.”

And then I had to wait. Because of course it wasn’t an overnight solution..

The Answer I Had Been Praying For

One night, Tygh and I were on a volleyball team together. Afterward, we came home, and his mom was watching the kids. Somehow, the conversation turned to homeschooling. The next day, Tygh was making lunch while I was sitting on the couch reading with the kids. He turned to me and said:

“If you think homeschooling is best, then I will support you.”

My mouth seriously dropped to the floor.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

But almost immediately…

the doubts started.

What if I couldn’t do it?

What if I failed them?

What about the business?

What about socialization?

What would the kids think?

Could I really teach four kids?

I had prayed so hard for him to say yes, and now that he had…

I wasn’t sure I could say yes.

More Doubts But God Was Working

There was actually one week when I had decided that I wasn’t going to homeschool. I was going to send the kids to school the following year. It was one of THOSE weeks where nothing feels right and you feel like a failure as a mom….I hadn’t even told Tygh yet.

Then, one night at hockey practice, he mentioned a homeschool family he knew. He seemed genuinely interested and even excited about the idea.

I remember thinking…

Okay, God. Maybe I need to spend some more time praying about this.

December

December rolled around. It was the Sunday before registration week for current school families.

On our way out to family supper, I asked Tygh:

“Are we really going to do this homeschool thing?”

His response?

“Well, I thought we already were going to.”

Then he asked what I thought.

I told him I was still back and forth.

I knew I needed to pray.

So that’s exactly what I did.

Monday — God Started Answering My Questions

The next morning, Briella was at school.

Owen and Emma were downstairs playing, and Grayson was playing independently—which, at the time, was pretty rare. I realized it had been a long time since I had listened to Bible in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz. I knew I was behind, but I decided I would just start wherever they were.

Before I pressed play, I folded my hands and prayed:

“God, please give me clear answers. Should I homeschool? I’m so undecided. If this is what You want for our family, please make it clear.”

And then three verses stood out to me almost immediately.

2 Corinthians 7:4

“I have great confidence in you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. With all our affliction, I am overjoyed.”

2 Corinthians 7:16

“I rejoice, because I have perfect confidence in you.”

Confidence.

That was something I struggled with.

Which might seem crazy because I have a degree in education. But the weight of potentially failing my own children felt incredibly heavy.

Could I actually do this?

Could I teach my own children well?

Could I give them what they needed?

And then I heard those words:

Confidence.

2 Corinthians 8:10–11

The passage spoke about completing what had been started and following through on what had already been desired a year ago.

And that stopped me.

Because almost EXACTLY a year earlier, I had felt that incredibly strong desire to homeschool.

I had been praying about it for so long.

And now here I was, still standing at the same crossroads.

But even after all of that…

I still had doubts.

Then Came Emma’s Bedtime Book

That night, Emma went to pick out her bedtime books.

She chose one called Teacher Mom. It was about a mom who gets to learn and explore with her children every day instead of sending them to school.

And the crazy part?

She had NEVER shown interest in that book before.

I remember thinking, Okay, God. I see You.

But I still had questions.

What would the kids think after already being in school?

Would they actually want to homeschool?

And probably my biggest practical question:

What about the business?

How could I homeschool four kids and continue running a growing business?

Tuesday — “Mom, I Wish You Would Homeschool Me”

The next morning, I was getting breakfast ready before school when Briella randomly said:

“Mom, I wish you would homeschool me.”

Owen looked at her and asked:

“What’s that?”

Briella explained:

“It’s when we don’t go to school and have Mom be our teacher instead, and stay at home with her every day.”

Owen immediately responded:

“Yeah! That would be awesome!”

My heart.

ANOTHER question answered.

But there was still one big thing I couldn’t figure out.

The business.

Wednesday — The Final Piece

Wednesday morning, I was doing laundry when I realized I hadn’t listened to my business podcast yet.

I opened it up, and the host announced they were having a special guest.

She said:

“A homeschool mom of four who is able to run a successful DIY business.”

I just stopped.

This was it.

This was the moment I realized God had answered every single one of my concerns.

I had asked Him to make it clear.

And He did.

So I finally said:

“Okay, God. I trust You. Lead the way.”

And Then Came the Scariest Part

Meeting other homeschool families honestly scared me.

I’m an introvert at heart, and the thought of stepping into a completely new community and trying to make friends felt intimidating.

But the funny thing is…

I started stumbling upon homeschool families everywhere.

Some were veterans who had homeschooled for years.

Some were currently homeschooling. Some had seriously considered homeschooling but were afraid to take the leap. It felt like God was slowly putting the people I needed in my path.

Our First Homeschool Year

And now here we are.

Fall 2024 will officially be the beginning of our homeschool journey.

I’ve bought the curriculum.

We’ve started doing little pieces of it, and the kids have actually loved it.

I think they’re excited.

But I also think they’re a little nervous.

It’s a big change after being in school, and we’ll be meeting new friends and finding our place in the homeschool community.

I’m praying that we find solid homeschool families who share our values and who will encourage us along the way.

And honestly?

I’m nervous too.

This is going to require me to step outside of my comfort zone.

It’s going to stretch me.

It’s going to challenge me.

There will probably be days when I wonder if I can really do this.

But when I look back at how this journey began, I can’t help but see God’s hand in it.

I didn’t force this.

I didn’t make Tygh say yes.

I didn’t have every answer.

I simply surrendered it to God and asked Him to lead me.

And He did.

So as we begin this new chapter, I’m choosing to trust Him.

I don’t know exactly what this year will look like.

But I am so excited to find out.

Here’s to our first year of homeschooling—four little learners, one very nervous mama, and a whole lot of grace.

Whatever God has in store for us…

we’re ready to follow Him.