I’ve been advocating for the choice to homeschool for many years now. As I watch a new generation of parents and children, I feel the need to beat the drum a bit louder. Perhaps you’ve heard this message from me before, or maybe this is the first time - You can homeschool!

There’s a moment in many homeschooling families that feels almost like stepping through a hidden door. You walk away from the familiar structure of traditional schooling, gather your children close, and choose something different. At first it feels risky—uncomfortable even. But then something remarkable happens: you begin to see differently. And then you feel …. FREEDOM.

When you step out of one system, you start asking questions about every system. You start noticing where you once handed over decisions simply because “that’s how it’s done.” You notice how much of childhood—of family life, of learning, of identity—gets shaped by institutions that were never designed with your particular children in mind.

And then you realize something both liberating and sobering:

You always have a choice.

That may be the most important shift of all.

Stepping Away From the Default

Traditional school is the default for most people. It’s what they experienced, what their neighbors are doing, what society quietly assumes. But familiarity doesn’t equal rightness. A thing can be common without being best.

When we decided to homeschool, we didn’t just opt out of school—we opted into a more intentional approach. We opted into asking better questions. We opted into reclaiming the responsibility that always belonged to us.

Once you step away, you see clearly. You notice how reflexively we hand our children over to systems because it feels normal. And yet, if you pause and think carefully…

We wouldn’t give a stranger our credit card.

We wouldn’t hand over our house keys to them.

We wouldn’t entrust them with our most valuable possessions.

So why were we so comfortable handing them what is infinitely more precious—our children—because that was simply “what people do”?

It’s a jolting question, but an important one.

The Courage to Question

Questioning is not rebellion for rebellion’s sake. It’s discernment. It’s stewardship. It’s an act of love.

Homeschooling teaches you to trust your own instincts again. To trust that you know your child better than any expert, institution, or standardized blueprint ever could.

Choosing a different path doesn’t mean scorning those who choose otherwise. It simply means refusing to outsource the heart of your family life to systems that weren’t built to honor the uniqueness of your children.

As parents, we are called to weigh things carefully.

We are allowed to say:

“This doesn’t fit my child.”

“This environment doesn’t nurture curiosity.”

“This schedule doesn’t honor the pace of our family.”

“This system doesn’t align with our values.”

And we’re allowed to choose differently.

This pertains to school, sports, other extra-curriculars — you name it, you have the permission to CHOOSE DIFFERENTLY.

A Grace-Filled Boldness

Homeschooling has not made our family perfect. Not even close. But it has made us awake. More discerning. More willing to take responsibility for the shaping of our children’s minds, hearts, and days.

It has made our family closer, our children confident communicators, and our appreciation of INDEPENDENCE deeper.

If you’re a parent standing on the edge of this decision—hesitant, curious, maybe a little scared—here’s what I want you to hear:

You are capable.

You are allowed.

You have choices.

You don’t need to justify your instincts. You don’t need to apologize for protecting childhood. You don’t need permission to honor what you know to be true for your family.

And you don’t need to hand your children to a system simply because it’s the culturally expected thing to do.

Choosing homeschool is an act of ownership, courage, and profound love. It’s a decision that ripples into every part of life and reshapes how you see the world.

Once you question one system, you learn to question them all—and in that questioning, you reclaim something precious: your authority, your voice, and the deep, quiet knowledge that your children belong with you.

That shift is worth everything. (Ask me how I know!)

When we think about preparing our children for the future, we often focus on academics — math, science, history, literature.

But underneath all of these subjects lies something even more powerful: the ability to communicate well.

Clear thinking and clear expression are lifelong skills. They help our children not only write good essays or deliver polished speeches — but also listen well, express empathy, and articulate truth in a confusing world.

And here’s the good news: you don’t need a “fancy curriculum” to do it.

What you do need is a consistent and intentional approach to communication throughout your homeschool journey.

Start with Listening and Conversation (Early Years)

Communication begins long before a child ever writes a paragraph.

It begins at the breakfast table, in bedtime read-alouds, and on long afternoon walks.

• Read aloud every day. Let children hear language used beautifully and naturally.

• Ask open-ended questions. “What do you think the bear felt when that happened?”

• Encourage narration. After reading, have your child retell what they heard — in their own words. This simple act builds attention, vocabulary, and confidence. (We did this on a regular basis with The Story of the World!)

• Model good conversation. Children learn how to listen and take turns by watching us.

Even at this stage, you can begin a family habit of collecting new words.

Keep a small notebook handy — or a section in your child’s homeschool journal — where you jot down interesting words from read-alouds, nature study, or everyday life. This is also one simple way to improve your children’s vocabulary!

This “word collection” helps children fall in love with language and gives them a growing toolbox of expression.

Build Strong Writing Foundations (Middle Grades)

Once children can think and speak clearly, it’s time to guide them in putting those thoughts into writing.

This is the season to build a solid foundation in grammar and writing.

Understanding how our language works — how sentences fit together, how punctuation gives clarity, how words carry meaning — empowers children to express themselves with confidence.
A good, consistent writing program will help you teach structure and form, while still leaving room for creativity. (We participated in the Essentials Program through Classical Conversations, and I consider it one of the single best things we did during our homeschooling years.)
Encourage your child to write regularly and thoughtfully: summaries of readings, reflections on nature walks, or short compositions connected to history and literature studies.

And don’t forget to continue with a personal word journal.

Older children can record new vocabulary from their reading, copy meaningful quotes, or explore words that fascinate them.

This strengthens spelling, expands vocabulary, and helps students appreciate the richness of language.

(Read this post for some more thoughts about developing our children’s vocabularies.)

Keep the atmosphere gentle but steady. Writing instruction doesn’t have to be complicated — it just needs to be intentional.

When students learn to use language precisely, they’re developing tools for clear thinking, reasoning, and communication that will serve them throughout their lives.

Add Debate and Public Speaking (Teens & High School)

As our children grow, we can help them speak up with courage and clarity.

You don’t need a debate league (though that’s wonderful if you have one).

You can nurture speaking skills at home by:

• Hosting family discussions around the dinner table on current events, books, or ethical questions.

• Encouraging oral presentations after research projects or unit studies. (We had so much fun during our Faces of History presentations, and they were excellent practice for my children!)

• Letting them teach a short lesson to younger siblings — they’ll learn to simplify and explain.

• Using opportunities like speech clubs or mock trials for practice.

Debate, rhetoric, and presentations help teens learn to think critically, defend truth, and speak graciously — skills desperately needed in today’s world.

And yes, even here, that little word journal can continue!

Teens might collect persuasive words, strong verbs, or phrases that inspire them.

Noticing good language is one of the best ways to become a thoughtful communicator.

Keep It Natural, Not Forced

Communication doesn’t have to be a “subject.”

It’s a habit woven into daily life — reading aloud, discussing ideas, journaling, presenting projects, and sharing thoughts around the table.

If we nurture these habits faithfully, our children will grow into adults who can write thoughtfully, listen carefully, and speak wisely — the kind of people who make a difference in their homes, communities, and beyond.

A Final Word of Encouragement

No one masters communication overnight.

But when our homeschool days are filled with conversation, story, and meaningful exchange, we give our children something no textbook can: the confidence to speak truth in love.

You Always Have a Choice: The Mindset Shift That Happens When You Homeschool