When we first landed, suddenly and unexpectedly, in the land of homeschooling, I had countless fears and concerns.

And, to be honest, one of the biggest concerns was time. Will we drive each other completely berserk spending that much time together?

My oldest son, who landed us here in the homeschool world, has always been a funny, brilliant, energetic, and completely exhausting little human. I love him to bits, but he is a lot. To this day, he’s the reason for my morning coffee! When we first started homeschooling, I wondered if we’d drive each other bonkers.

As that big yellow bus pulled away without him that very first year, I wondered if I had made the right decision.

Homeschooling Reflection: Loss of the Big Yellow Bus

Reflecting on the homeschool journey…

As it turns out, I had no need to worry. Homeschooling has been the best decision for our little family. I always refer to our homeschool journey as the best curveball ever.

My son’s smile and love of learning returned in a matter of days. Homeschooling fits him like a glove, in a way that public school could not.

And now, years later, I tell people that one of the best things about homeschooling is time. You get to spend this time with your children and teens.

I worried so much that first year! Often I worried about time.

Would there be enough time to cover everything?

Would we be spending too much time together?

How would I find time for myself?

Would the days feel endless?

Would he miss his time in public school?

And yet I never stopped to consider the positive impact that time would have on our family.

The relationship I have formed with my children, and the relationships my children have formed with each other, are amazing byproducts of homeschooling.

That big yellow bus used to make me question our decision to homeschool.

I am someone who always loved back to school season with its freshly sharpened pencils, crisp paper, and squeaky clean new sneaks.

That first September as a new homeschooler made me feel wistful. When that big yellow bus pulled away without my child, I questioned our decision.

Nowadays, I see those big yellow buses and I feel thankful… for homeschooling. 

Childhood goes by in a blink and I am so grateful that we have these early years together. 

I enjoy spending time with my children (most days).

Does that mean it’s all sunshine and laughter and rainbows? Heck to the no way! We have plenty of ugly homeschool days, but the good ones far outweigh the bad. (Although one time I threatened to send him back.)

But even on the ugliest of homeschool days, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I cherish this time together.

We started homeschooling my oldest son after a tumultuous year in kindergarten. That little guy is now about to thirteen. I don’t know how it happened, but time is cruel in that way!

I can see the doors of childhood closing a little. He’s growing more distant and sometimes moody, as he’s supposed to, and it makes me even more thankful to have had this precious time together.

He’s an amazing human and I am over-the-moon grateful to have spent so much time with him.

And I feel the same way about his younger siblings. I’m glad we stumbled into this land of homeschooling. It was 100% worth all the worry and tears. This is curveball was a gift.

I love the daily read-alouds we have enjoyed together, and I cherish all the inside jokes we have based on those books.I’ve spent hours and hours huddled around game boards with them. Similarly, we have hiked miles and miles and miles together. We have had so many adventures, big and small. I know I will never regret those hours spent with them.

As a school psychologist and product of public education, I support public education. All families are different and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to educating our children. I think each family should choose the path that works best for their unique children.

I’m just glad that we were gifted the best curveball ever. 

So when I see those back-to-school commercials with parents dancing in the aisles of Target…

When I see the back-to-school memes…

And watch those back to school commercials with parents dancing with joy…

When I see friends share ‘Twas the Night Before School Started statuses…

And when I see mothers drinking mimosas to celebrate the big yellow bus…

And when I listen to friends count down the days until that first day of school…

I just think to myself: I’m so glad we were thrust into this homeschool journey. 

I am incredibly grateful for the time spent with these kids. They are pretty cool ‘human beans’ and I’m honored to know them.

Homeschooling is not for everyone.

I certainly do not wish to alienate those in public school.  I am a product of public schools, I worked in public schools, and I believe public schools are hugely important. I’ve never ruled out the possibility of my kiddos returning to public school in one form or another. Who knows? I may even return to public schools as a school psychologist one day.

I know that homeschooling is not for everyone.

All I am saying is, your kid might surprise you. All those hours that you can’t imagine spending with your child may turn out to be treasured memories.

Everyone assumes that homeschooling is hard. You think you can’t do it. You fear it would mean too much time together.

But…

When all of those external schedules and must-dos are peeled away, and you choose your own path together, some amazing things happen.

I used to worry that we’d drive each other bonkers while homeschooling. Now, I am so thankful for this unexpected path and the time we have together.

Your kid might surprise you. Mine sure did. Children are our wisest teachers, and I’m so thankful they let me tag along for the ride!

Are you a new homeschooler?

Check out this resource page:

• How to Start Homeschooling {You’ve Got This!}

Check out these digital courses from My Little Poppies for homeschool families:

• How to Rock THE MOST IMPORTANT Part of Your Homeschool Day
• The Lazy Homeschooler’s Guide to Unit Studies
• Gameschooling 101: How to Add More Play to Your Homeschool Day

Do you want to fill your library tote? Check out these incredible booklists for homeschool families!

Read more about our journey into the land of unexpected homeschooling:

• Suddenly, Unexpectedly Homeschooling (“You’re gonna WHAT?!”)
• My Biggest Homeschool Regret
• Her Homeschool Manifesto
• I don’t need a third strike, folks. I’m out.

Check out these related posts for homeschool families:

• 5 Wonderful Homeschool Secrets No One Will Tell You
• 5 Things You Should Never Say to an Unexpected Homeschooler
• The 5 Best Homeschooling Decisions We’ve Made
• Start Small: Rhythms and Routines | The Homeschool Sisters Podcast
• My Biggest Homeschool Regret
• Our Homeschool Curriculum Choices
• When Homeschooling is Hard

Now, it’s your turn. Tell me: What are your homeschool reflections? How have your children surprised you lately? Share here.