Why We Chose to Homeschool: A Personal Journey of Faith, Family, and Freedom
- largefamilyarrows
- Jul 16
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 17
If you’re a mom who is new to homeschooling—or maybe you’re still just thinking about it—you’re in the right place. I want to share from my heart today, just like I would if we were sitting around talking with you in person, watching our kids run around in the yard. This post isn’t about convincing you to homeschool. It’s about sharing why we chose this path and what has kept us going after nearly 25 years.
Yes, 25 years! That number still catches me off guard. It feels like just yesterday I heard about homeschooling and wondered what it would look like for our family. Then, beginning to do research for my self and here we are. Now, with eight children and decades of experience behind me, I can honestly say—it’s one of the best decisions we ever made.
This is my Why.
1. I Wanted to Be With My Children
Even before having children, I remember a friend of mine telling me, “You will not want to stay home with your kids all the time. Though deep down, I knew that wasn’t true for me. Even though I did not have children yet, I knew one day that I wanted to be with my kids when I had them. I wanted to enjoy them all I could. Forward later on, and people would say enjoy your kids, time goes by quickly, and (with my oldest turning 30 this year), I can say it really does.
Of course, there have been days when I’ve felt overwhelmed or exhausted- like many moms. And I would like to say that I was always great at it and always handled mom life perfectly, but that would be far from the truth.
However, even with the craziness of life at times, I genuinely enjoy being with my kids. I love watching them learn, grow, and discover the world. I never saw them as a burden I needed to escape. I saw them as blessings I wanted to cherish.
Even today, I have 3 babies (NOT NO MORE) that have left the coop, but I try to get all the family together as often as I can, and we go do stuff on a regular basis.
I believe part of that is because of not only growing up together as siblings, but also homeschooling, spending much of their time together, and learning to be friends. But also because I pray for the closeness of my kids, that is so important.
Though I believe homeschooling has helped foster their relationships.
Homeschooling gave me that chance.
I didn’t want to miss the little things—the goofy giggles during school, the excitement of sounding out a new word, or the deep conversations that happen during morning devotions. "And boy, can we have some". Homeschooling has allowed me to be present and to be part of it all. I couldn't imagine not homeschooling. It has brought much joy to me and my family.
2. We Wanted a Christ-Centered Education
Our faith in God is the foundation of our home. My husband is a pastor, and we believe strongly that our children’s education should reflect the values we hold dear. Of course, when we started our journey into homeschooling, my husband was not a pastor.
It was just like God dropped this idea into my head, and then I had to convince my husband to get on board with it. My husband did get on board with it, and I know he wouldn't change a thing.
Deuteronomy 6:7 says,
“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
That verse has guided our homeschooling journey from the very beginning. We believe that teaching our children about God isn’t something we can leave up to a Sunday School class or youth group. It begins at home.
Homeschooling gives us the flexibility to integrate our faith into every subject. Whether we’re studying history, science, or literature, we can weave God’s truth into the conversation. We can stop in the middle of a hard day and pray. We can discuss biblical character when issues arise.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about being intentional.
3. Safety and Peace of Mind
Sadly, today’s schools often face challenges that go far beyond academics. From bullying and peer pressure to safety concerns and lockdowns, there’s so much that can weigh on a parent’s heart.
I still remember the day we were on a homeschool field trip at a local TV station, and we found out a nearby public school had gone into lockdown because someone believed a student brought a weapon to school. If I didn't know before, I definitely knew that day, far as safety goes, that we had made the right decision to homeschool.
While I know we can’t protect our children from every danger in life, I also believe God gives us wisdom to make decisions that promote peace and safety. For our family, homeschooling was one of those decisions.
It allows us to create a safe learning environment—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.
I don't have faith in the current educational system to uphold our values. While physical safety is crucial, it's equally important to spiritually protect our children and safeguard their hearts.
Keeping Our Kids Safe
You know, one of the best things we can do as parents is to keep our kids away from folks who might not have their best interests at heart. It’s all about creating a safe space for them, right?
The Importance of Knowing Their Friends
Getting to know your children's friends is such a blessing. It gives us a chance to see who they're spending time with and what kind of influences are around them. Plus, it opens up the door for some great conversations about friendships and values. It’s all about building that trust and making sure they feel comfortable sharing their experiences with us.
Homeschooling allows us to nurture our children in ways that wouldn't be possible if they weren't with us consistently.
4. Flexibility and Freedom
One of the greatest gifts of homeschooling is the freedom to shape your child’s education in a way that works for them.
If a curriculum doesn’t work, we can try something else. If one child learns best through hands-on projects and another loves to read quietly, we can tailor our approach. We can adjust schedules, take breaks when needed, and even enjoy learning at the park on a sunny day.
Over the years, we’ve explored so many options—from textbooks to online programs to co-ops. In our area, homeschoolers even have the option to take part-time classes with public school programs. We’ve tried a little of everything except doing the public school programs and chosen what fits best for our family and convictions.
If you’re new to homeschooling, take comfort in knowing there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. You will make adjustments as you go, and that’s okay. That’s the beauty of it.
5. It’s Affordable—Especially for Larger Families
When we began homeschooling, we had just two children. I never dreamed we’d be blessed with eight! And while that’s been a huge blessing, it’s also meant being creative with our budget.
Private Christian education wasn’t financially possible. Homeschooling gave us the ability to educate our children ourselves, affordably, while still making our home the center of learning and growth.
Thanks to free and low-cost resources available today, homeschooling doesn’t have to break the bank. And there’s a supportive community of families ready to share ideas, curriculum swaps, and advice.
6. No Regrets—Even on the Hard Days
Homeschooling hasn’t always been easy. There have been tears (theirs and mine), resistance, learning struggles, and days when I questioned myself. (Sometimes still do). But even in the hard moments, I have never once regretted the decision to homeschool.
Sometimes people assume that homeschool kids are just naturally obedient and eager to learn—but let me tell you, they’re kids! They sometimes drag their feet, resist schoolwork, or get distracted by every little thing. But I’ve found that the one-on-one time, consistent training, and patience pay off.
And unlike traditional school, I get to be there in those moments. I get to guide them through the frustration, celebrate the breakthroughs, and watch them become who God created them to be.
That’s a privilege I don’t take lightly.
A Word to Moms Who Are Considering Homeschooling
If you’re reading this and wondering, Could I really do this?—Let me encourage you.
Yes, you can.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to start. You just have to be willing to learn alongside your children. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be present.
Start small. Pray often. Lean on God’s grace. Find other homeschool moms you can talk to. And know that every step you take to invest in your child’s life will matter for eternity.
Let's Keep in Touch
If this post encouraged you, would you consider sharing it with a fellow mom who might be thinking about homeschooling? You never know who might need that little bit of encouragement today.
And if you’d like to hear more from our family—more on faith, homeschooling, and life as a large family—I’d love for you to follow us over on YouTube at Large Family Arrows.
Thanks for being here. I'm cheering you on in your homeschool journey, friend.
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