Why I Chose to Homeschool: A Personal Journey

Why I Chose to Homeschool: A Journey of Faith, Control, and Protecting Childhood

Making the decision to homeschool my son was not one I came to lightly. It was scary, overwhelming, and something I never imagined I’d do. But when I look back at the path that led me here, I realize it wasn’t entirely my decision—God has been guiding me every step of the way.

At first, public school seemed like the perfect solution. It was free, my son would get to socialize, and I’d finally have a big chunk of time to myself to work and breathe. I had this vision of rainbows and perfection: my son making wonderful friends, loving his teachers, and thriving in an environment I assumed would be safe and enriching.

But as time went on, cracks started to show.

Concerns About the System and Adults

My son spent a couple of years in public school, and while there were good moments, certain things just didn’t sit right with me. For example, at his school, parents were allowed to freely walk onto campus. On the surface, this felt welcoming—who doesn’t want to drop their child off with a hug and a goodbye? But as I reflected, the lack of security began to bother me.

There were no ID checks, no gates or barriers preventing someone with bad intentions from slipping in. Anyone could walk onto campus, unnoticed. As someone who tends to think about the bigger picture, this felt like a serious safety issue. What if something terrible happened because of this openness? It weighed heavily on my heart.

Then there were the adults at the school. Let me be clear—this wasn’t a “bad” school. It was in a good district, with a good reputation, and surrounded by families who cared about education. But there were incidents that left me feeling uneasy. I believe that the people teaching our children should hold themselves to the highest standards of honesty, accountability, and care.

One incident in particular stood out. It was a minor issue, nothing big or dramatic, but it was handled so poorly. The adults involved didn’t bother looking at the bigger picture, and worse, when I provided physical proof of what really happened, they lied. They covered for each other.

That shook me to my core. If they were willing to lie about something so small and inconsequential, what else could they lie about? What haven’t they told me? What might they have said or done to my child—or other children—without us ever knowing?

That was the moment I realized: I don’t want my child around adults I can’t trust.

The Need for Control and One-on-One Attention

This realization made me think deeply about the environment I wanted my son to grow up in. I want control over who he’s around, what influences him, and how he’s treated.

This doesn’t mean I’m trying to shelter him or keep him locked away. My son does a lot of extracurricular activities outside of the home during homeschool. He’s out in the community, making friends, being social. But with homeschooling, I get to decide who he interacts with.

Another big reason I chose homeschooling is that my son needs one-on-one attention. Public school simply doesn’t have the resources to provide that. One teacher to 25 students? It’s impossible to give every child what they need, and I could see how that lack of personal attention could hold him back.

With homeschooling, I can focus on his individual needs. If he struggles with a concept, we can spend extra time on it. If he excels at something, we can move ahead and keep him challenged. I’m not saying this is a permanent solution—when he’s older, we’ll revisit the idea of public school, and I’ll involve him in that decision. But for now, homeschooling is the right path for us.

Preserving Childhood and Crafting a Future

One of the things I love most about homeschooling is how it lets me preserve his childhood. When I look at public school, I see kids sitting in classrooms for six to eight hours a day, with maybe 30 minutes of playtime. That just doesn’t feel right to me.

With homeschooling, I can teach him everything he needs to know in one or two hours a day. The rest of the day is free for play, exploration, and just being a kid. We can go to the park, join community programs, and let him experience life outside of a desk and four walls.

I also love that homeschooling lets me tailor his education to his interests. If he shows a passion for something—like art, science, or technology—I can outsource classes or experiences that help him hone those skills. I want him to grow up knowing that his unique talents and passions matter, and I want to give him the tools to succeed in those areas.

A Personal Connection

Another big reason I chose homeschooling? Time.

If you look at the statistics parents of school-aged children spend between 10 to 12 hours per week directly engaged in activities with their children, the amount of quality time parents spend with their children is shockingly low when kids are in public school. Between school hours, homework, extracurriculars, and bedtime routines, parents often only get a couple of hours a day with their kids.

I didn’t like that. I want to see my child grow up. I want to be there for all the big moments, all the milestones, and even the everyday little things. Because one day, he’s not going to live with me anymore. He’s going to grow up, move out, and have a life of his own. And when that day comes, I want to look back and know that I made the most of this time with him.

Final Thoughts

Homeschooling isn’t easy. It’s a financial investment, it takes planning and effort, and it’s not always perfect. But for me, it’s worth it. It’s the path I feel God has nudged us toward, and it’s where we’re supposed to be right now.

I don’t know what the future holds. Maybe one day we’ll return to public school. But for now, this is the right choice for us. It’s a choice grounded in faith, love, and the desire to give my son the best foundation I can.

If you’re considering homeschooling, know this: it’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to have doubts. But trust your instincts, trust the path you’re being led on, and trust that you’re doing what’s best for your child.