The thought of homeschooling can feel overwhelming or intimidating. Many thoughts creep into your head. All the pressure is on me! I don’t think I can be a good teacher. I don’t think I can be around my kids all day long. What if I need help? I don’t want my kids to turn out weird.

I remember back in 2015 starting the process of where to begin, what curriculum to choose and why. If you are like me, you may have never considered homeschooling. This was a new world to me. I was never against it, I just never thought I would be doing it.

Back in 2006, I married my husband who is an evangelist. As his wife, I felt the same call of God to go with him and be a helpmate. We wanted to continue traveling together even after we had children.

In 2010, we had our first baby, Madelyn. At two weeks old, we took her on the road and she’s been in every meeting. Fast forward to today—we have three kids and we still continue to travel together as a family. They all started traveling at a few weeks old and it’s all they have ever known. I wouldn’t want it to be any other way!

Fast forward even more. I homeschool two of my three kids. Are there challenges doing school on the road? Of course! (I’m teaching a 4th grader and kindergartener in a hotel room.) It’s 100% doable and if you’re thinking about doing it, I encourage you to go for it. If I can do it, you can do it!

Homeschooling has changed dramatically over the past few years. I found a curriculum I absolutely love and wouldn’t change. I use Alpha Omega Academy.

There are two types of learning. You can buy their books and homeschool them yourself. You are in charge of all the work as well as keeping up with the rules of your state. Alternately, you can enroll your child into their accredited academy.

You can still be the hands-on teacher, but if you choose to go with the academy, you are also assigned a teacher in each grade. That’s a big help as your child increases in grade level. Your child has the opportunity of working with an actual teacher if they need extra help beyond what you can give or if you’re not available at the moment.

The children schedule a “whiteboard time” with their teacher to go over anything they are having trouble with or if they have questions. This has really been helpful now that I homeschool two kids while administrating within our ministry and have a two year old roaming around.

You also have the freedom of choosing your own start date. (They give you the semester dates and end dates once you begin.) You turn in tests and they file the grades and keep track of the your child’s progress during the school year. It’s a wonderful system that helps you stay organized.

Extra online classes are available each week when you’re enrolled with the Academy. Monday morning prayer along with book clubs, art class, holiday parties, math games and almost anything offered at brick and mortar schools. Madelyn and Brooklyn have enjoyed meetings kids from all over the world in these classes.

I wasn’t sure about homeschooling when I began, and let’s be real, I sometimes want to just get in the car and drop them off at the nearest school—hahaha :)—but in the end, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love teaching my kids. I love being with them. I love having our own schedule. We have so much freedom. It keeps them in a guarded environment with one-on-one learning. We can travel whenever we want and plan our own field trips.

Never be scared your kids are going to turn out weird with no social skills. They can develop social skills in other environments like church, sports, etc. I recommend homeschooling to everyone who can do it!

Don’t allow your self esteem to be damaged if you decide to be a stay-at-home mom. It’s so important that you realize your God-given purpose as a mom so that you can stay fulfilled and never feel insecure.

Your children are your greatest investment! Love you!

—Carolyn