Why I Chose to Start Homeschooling: The Journey to a Slower, More Intentional Childhood

When I tell people that I’ve chosen to homeschool my children, I often hear the same response: "That’s amazing, but how did you decide to take that leap?" The truth is, it wasn’t a single moment or a single reason, but rather a deep, thoughtful process rooted in our values as a family. The decision to homeschool didn’t come out of necessity or pressure, but rather a desire to create a space for a slower, more intentional childhood—a space where my children could play, discover, and grow at their own pace.

For me, homeschooling is more than just an educational choice; it’s a way of life. It’s about being able to give my children the time and space they need to explore the world around them without the constant rush of a typical school schedule. In this blog post, I’ll share why I chose to start homeschooling, and how the influence of my husband’s experience with homeschooling and my desire for my kids to have a slower, more relaxed childhood played a significant role in this decision.

The Influence of My Husband's Homeschool Experience

My husband was homeschooled throughout his entire childhood. From a young age, he had the freedom to explore his interests, learn at his own pace, and spend time pursuing passions outside the classroom. He often speaks fondly of his homeschooling experience, and how it allowed him to develop a love of learning and self-motivation. He had the chance to dig deep into subjects that fascinated him, rather than feeling forced to follow a strict curriculum that didn’t always align with his natural interests.

As we began to think about our own children’s education, his experience had a profound impact on me. The more we talked about it, the more we realized how much freedom and flexibility homeschooling offered, not only academically but also emotionally and socially. We both agreed that we wanted to offer the same kind of nurturing, personalized educational experience for our children—one where they could learn through exploration, curiosity, and hands-on discovery.

My husband’s upbringing taught him the value of self-directed learning, and I saw the way he thrived in an environment that was tailored to his own pace and interests. Seeing the positive influence of his homeschooling experience made it clear that this was an option we wanted to consider for our family.

A Slower Childhood: The Gift of Time to Play and Discover

In a world where kids are increasingly pushed into structured schedules, constant testing, and deadlines, one of the reasons I was drawn to homeschooling was the opportunity to give my children the gift of a slower childhood—a childhood where they can play freely, explore their own interests, and discover who they are without the constant pressures that can come with traditional schooling.

As a Montessori-inspired mom, I believe deeply in the importance of play as a fundamental part of childhood development. Play is where kids learn creativity, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and social skills. Yet, in many traditional school settings, time for unstructured play is often limited by rigid schedules and academic pressure. When we first started considering homeschooling, I realized that we had the chance to create a schedule that prioritizes play, exploration, and curiosity—time for our children to follow their own natural rhythms and discover the world around them at their own pace.

Homeschooling allows us to focus on the joy of learning, without the rush. There’s time to take nature walks, read books that spark their imagination, build with blocks, and explore topics that excite them—all in their own time. The slower pace of homeschooling gives children the space they need to process and integrate what they learn without feeling like they’re always moving on to the next thing.

The Flexibility to Tailor Education to Each Child’s Needs

Another reason I chose to start homeschooling is the ability to tailor the educational experience to the unique needs of each of my children. Every child is different—each with their own interests, learning styles, and pace—and homeschooling allows me to be responsive to those individual differences.

In a traditional school setting, children are often expected to follow the same curriculum at the same pace, which can be challenging for both kids who need more time to process information and those who are ready to move ahead. With homeschooling, I can adjust the pace and approach based on what’s best for my children at any given time. If they’re particularly excited about a certain subject, we can spend more time exploring it. If they need extra support in a specific area, we can slow down and provide more individualized attention.

This flexibility is incredibly valuable in creating a personalized learning environment—one where children feel supported, motivated, and empowered to follow their natural curiosity.

Creating Strong Family Bonds and Lifelong Memories

One of the most unexpected joys of homeschooling has been the strengthening of our family bond. By spending more time together as a family, we’ve deepened our relationships and created a foundation of trust and collaboration. Homeschooling has allowed us to prioritize quality time, from learning together to playing together, and it’s been a wonderful way to nurture our family dynamic.

We are also able to take advantage of the freedom homeschooling offers to travel, explore different places, and learn about the world in a hands-on way. Whether it’s a trip to a museum, a historical site, or just spending time outdoors, we can integrate real-life learning experiences into our daily life, making memories that will last a lifetime.

Homeschooling has also allowed us to connect in ways that might not be possible if our children were in a traditional school. There’s a certain magic in the freedom to learn together, to problem-solve, to laugh, and to grow alongside each other. It’s a gift that I treasure every single day.

The Decision to Homeschool Was Right for Us

Ultimately, the decision to homeschool wasn’t just about academic success—it was about providing our children with the space to grow, to explore, and to thrive in an environment that respects their individuality. It was about giving them the time they need to play, to create, to ask questions, and to experience the world around them in a more relaxed, unhurried way.

We chose homeschooling because it allows us to offer our children a slower, more intentional childhood—one that values curiosity, creativity, and exploration above all else. It’s an opportunity to raise independent thinkers and lifelong learners, just as my husband experienced in his own childhood.

I’m excited for the journey ahead and am so grateful for the flexibility and freedom homeschooling provides. It’s not always easy, but it’s a choice that aligns with our family values and creates a foundation for a childhood that’s full of love, laughter, and learning.

Have you considered homeschooling or have you already begun your journey? I’d love to hear your thoughts or any experiences you’d like to share! Feel free to leave a comment below.