I started homeschooling Adrienne—and later, Addison—beginning in kindergarten. Though it was a tricky new venture to figure out, the rewards quickly outshone any challenges. We were in full control of our family calendar, no rushing out the door every morning, only to return home cranky and anxious. I was free to design our routine and shape curriculum to fit our family’s rhythm, not the other way around.
My husband, Steve, is an entrepreneur who works from home, which meant travel is easy to arrange. Studying space? We headed to NASA and met real astronauts. Exploring civil rights? Birmingham offered lessons beyond the textbook. Covering American history? Off we went to Washington, D.C. We forged our own little adventure co-op, building memories while learning in real time.
What I realized from planning each subject, each adventure, and each grade level was that I must also plan for myself.
It’s easy, as homeschool moms, to pour everything into preparing our children for the future while losing sight of our own. But if we don’t prioritize our personal growth, no one else will do it for us. One day, those kids will graduate; we’ll have taught our last lessons, planned the last field trips, and our homeschool career will roll to a quiet stop. Then what?
I hear from many women who reach that point feeling disoriented—unsure of their identity and next steps. That’s why I encourage homeschool parents not to let the next phase of life sneak up.
Do you imagine personal development to be selfish, stealing time from your role as parent and teacher? Nothing could be further from the truth! Committing a portion of our time to growing our abilities and intellect inspires our kids to aim high. Additionally, it garners their respect. We’re not just pushing them to learn and grow, we’re leading by example!
Also, realize that personal development can happen in small, consistent doses—10, 30, or 60 minutes at a time. Especially if you’re homeschooling through high school (as I did), those minutes add up.
In the early years, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing—just following my instincts. But each effort added another valuable skill to my resume. As my daughter approached graduation, I became even more conscientious about my own goals.
Here are a few ways I invested in myself—sometimes for personal growth, sometimes for income, and often both:
- First, I became a curriculum rep for Teaching Textbooks. We receievd free curriculum and I learned how to operate at education fairs. I used this as a springboard to become a community ambassador for a more comprehensive homeschool product, where I hosted booths, planned educational lunches for parents, and established community partnerships.
- After moving into Pensacola, I joined a local homeschool organization that was impactful but whose membership was dwindling. So, I recruited several group leaders to join me, became their social media manager, assisted with budgeting, and hosted parent events in my home.
- For two years, I volunteered with our HOA. I formed more friendships in my neighborhood, gained valuable experience with QuickBooks, budgeting, and public presentations. I also earned my notary certification during that time.
- When Adrienne started high school, I finished a bachelor’s degree in sociology through the University of Florida. I love learning and reading, so while it was a stretch juggle deadlines, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. Through UF connections, I began working with two different organizations addressing domestic violence and human trafficking—some of which I could do remotely or on flexible hours.
- Addison is now in full-time dual enrollment at our local college. With just a little oversight on my part, he manages four college classes at a time. This shift allowed me to start part-time work with an organization that brings global awareness programs to public schools—perfectly blending my love of learning and teaching.
- And I haven’t stopped yet! This summer, I’m diving in to study Morocco, continuing my Spanish lessons, and earning a certification course in archaeology through Rice University online.
I share all of this in hopes that it will encourage you to see your homeschool years as a launchpad—not just for your kids, but for yourself. Don’t wait until the journey is over to explore your own interests. Just as with homeschool, you don’t need a complete plan before beginning. Just take one step at a time. Your growth doesn’t steal time from your family—it enriches the whole community.
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