Homeschooling After the Lessons: A One-Year Look Back
This week marks one year since I relaunched this little corner of the internet, and it feels like a good moment to pause. Not because everything is perfectly figured out (it definitely isn’t), but because this past year has been full in ways I didn’t expect — shaped by care-giving and finding a new pace at home (often through trial and error), along with a little travel woven in, and an appreciation for what homeschooling continues to give long after the lessons end.
Homeschooling Through the Middle & High School Years
If you’re in the thick of homeschooling right now — especially during the middle and high school years — you may wonder what life looks like on the other side. As I began my own “next chapter” this past year, I wanted this space to remain a place of encouragement — and a reminder that homeschooling is not just a good option, but often the very best choice you can make for your family during these years.
It’s also the point when many families feel pressure to switch or second-guess their decision, just as things start to take shape. Take it from me – these are some of the best years, even on the days when staying the course feels hard.
When Life Shifts (and Homeschooling Still Holds)
This past year has been a reminder that new chapters don’t always unfold neatly. Early in the summer, my mom broke her hip, and life shifted into a season of care-giving. It was a season that required a heap of patience and presence — and one that reminded me how much I had learned over the years about adapting, problem-solving, and showing up.
There have also been moments of adventure. My daughter and I took a girl’s trip to Savannah, Georgia to travel and explore together, while discovering that we are very different kinds of travelers – and somehow works in our favor. Later in the year, my husband and I experienced the awe of seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time! Between the planned adventures and the unexpected responsibilities, I was reminded that homeschooling prepares you for more real life than you might realize.
Even though I’ve finished homeschooling, I still care deeply about encouraging homeschoolers — and why I continue writing here. Life is busy and rarely looks perfect, but homeschooling is real life. The organization, planning, and patience built during those years often resurfaced later in surprising ways — reminding me that homeschooling was excellent training for real life…and in some ways, a bit easier than this next chapter.
Whether you’re new here or have been quietly reading along, here are a few posts I’ve especially enjoyed writing this past year, and others have enjoyed too!
A Few Favorite Posts from the Past Year
- Thinking of Homeschooling – Are You Crazy? An honest (and slightly tongue-in-cheek) look at the homeschool life versus every other option — and why homeschooling still wins, quirks and all.
- Homeschool Schedules Explained
A realistic breakdown of homeschool schedules that actually work. - The “Something to Celebrate” Series
Creative ways to learn alongside the national holidays and sprinkle a little confetti into your homeschool days — because learning should be fun every day. - 10 Ways a Homeschooling Mom Can Better Love Her Husband
A thoughtful reminder that strong marriages matter, especially in the busy, all-consuming seasons of homeschooling. - Letters From Afar (Review)
A favorite subscription and how something as simple as a letter can open up a world of learning!
Looking Ahead to the Next Chapter at Home
As I look ahead, this space will continue to grow alongside my life — with encouragement for homeschoolers, creative learning, and the everyday moments of this next chapter at home. It turns out home still matters, even after the homeschool years are over, and continues to shape everyday life in meaningful ways. If you’d like to stay connected, feel free to explore a few posts and pages, and subscribe for whatever is next!
