Deciding To Homeschool: A Personal Journey Beyond School Walls
- Tyrese Cook
- Jan 14
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 29
As a military spouse, mom to five amazing daughters (yes, including two sets of twins!), and someone deeply committed to creating the best life for my family, homeschooling has turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions our family has made. We began homeschooling my oldest girls for Pre-K while stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. After an unexpected turn of events here in Korea that had us questioning whether traditional schools were the right fit, we decided to homeschool again midway through their first-grade year. It wasn’t a choice we made overnight, but now that we’re on this journey, we honestly can’t imagine it any other way.
For our family, homeschooling is more than an educational choice—it’s a way of life that reflects our values and priorities. It allows us to focus on our family’s unique needs, nurture our children’s strengths, and create a lifestyle that is enriching and fulfilling for everyone. Homeschooling also gives us the flexibility to embrace the cultural diversity and inclusion of living abroad, turning our environment into a classroom. This approach opens doors to experiences and opportunities within our community that wouldn’t be possible with traditional schooling. For us, homeschooling is about finding what works best for our family and discovering joy in every step of the journey. Whether you’re curious about homeschooling or considering making the switch yourself, I’d love to share why this path has been such a wonderful fit for my family.
Deciding to Homeschool: Why We Chose Homeschooling
Homeschooling allowed us to align our children’s education with what matters most to our family: flexibility, intentional learning, faith, cultural experiences, and a strong sense of safety. While every family’s reasons for homeschooling are unique, here’s what inspired us to embrace this journey:
The Freedom to Create a Tailored Education
A Safe and Nurturing Environment
Family-Centered Learning Opportunities
Social Connections Through Co-ops and Community
Flexibility to Support Our Lifestyle
Freedom to Personalize Education
Homeschooling gives us the flexibility to create a curriculum that caters to each of our daughter’s unique learning styles and interests. In a traditional classroom, lessons are often standardized, but at home, we have the freedom to think outside the box. I can mix and match different curriculums and teaching approaches to personalize their learning experience. It only took a few weeks before I was able to spot the gaps in what they should have already learned by this point in the year. Since we were rarely provided with homework or completed classwork assignments to assess what our daughters were really learning, homeschooling allowed me to focus on catching them up and ensuring they were getting the support they needed. Homeschooling ensures that our daughters’ education is a priority, with nothing falling through the cracks.
At the same time, homeschooling ensures that our younger children aren’t left behind. Even our toddlers are picking up concepts just by observing their older siblings’ lessons, creating a natural and dynamic learning environment for everyone.
A Safe and Nurturing Space
Providing a safe space for our children, both emotionally and physically is very important to our family. With homeschooling, we can create an environment where they can explore new ideas, ask questions, and develop confidence without the external pressures they might face elsewhere. It’s not just about protecting them from challenges—it’s about creating a space where they feel supported and valued. Watching their curiosity thrive in a setting where they’re free to be themselves has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of this educational journey.
Additionally, the physical safety aspect has been a significant factor for us. Homeschooling allows for close supervision and control over my kids’ whereabouts. Knowing where they are and being able to ensure their safety—especially after experiencing incidents of inadequate supervision and unattended bullying in the classroom—gives us peace of mind.
Family-Centered Learning
One of the unexpected blessings of homeschooling is how much it’s strengthened our family bond. Learning has become a shared experience, where everyone—from our youngest to our oldest—has a role to play. My older kids often volunteer to help guide and play with their younger siblings, including them in their lessons, while unintentionally practicing leadership and patience along the way. As a family, we’ve found ways to incorporate learning into our daily routines, whether it’s baking together to practice math or exploring nature trails to bring science lessons to life. It’s incredible to see how much we’ve grown as a unit through this journey.
Opportunities for Meaningful Social Connections
One of the biggest myths about homeschooling is that kids won’t get enough social interaction. In our experience, homeschooling with intentional community immersion has opened the door to deeper, more meaningful connections. We’ve joined co-ops on the military installation where our kids participate in group activities, attend monthly book club meetings, go on field trips, and engage in enrichment classes. We often visit the library, USO, and a lot of neat events hosted within our community. These opportunities foster my kids’ ability to build friendships, practice teamwork, learn through additional means of environment, and connect them with other kids who share similar educational experiences.
Flexibility for Our Family’s Lifestyle
As a mom of five with a husband in the military, flexibility is everything. Homeschooling allows us to design a schedule that works for our family, no matter what life throws our way. If my husband has a surprise day off, we can pause lessons and spend the day making memories. When the Army moves us to a new duty station, homeschooling provides continuity in our children’s education. And if one of our kids needs extra time on a subject, we can adjust without feeling rushed. This freedom has also allowed us to travel and turn those experiences into rich learning opportunities. Every trip becomes a chance to explore, discover, and connect, extending learning way beyond a traditional classroom. For instance, while stationed in Korea, we’ve been able to incorporate Korean culture, history, and language into our lessons. My children aren’t just reading about these topics in textbooks—they’re living them. We visit historical landmarks, explore local traditions, and attend cultural events as a family.
Accessible and Affordable Resources
One of the most pleasant and unexpected outcomes of homeschooling has been discovering just how many free and low-cost resources are available. For families just starting out, this can make the transition much smoother.
Websites like Khan Academy, The Good and Beautiful, and others offer comprehensive curriculums and apps at no cost. Many paid platforms like Abeka, IXL Learning, and Time4Learning offer free trials so you can find what works for your family before committing.
Military installations are full of resources to help support your family on your homeschooling journey! Every installation has a School Liaison Office that can connect you with local homeschool groups and resources tailored to your needs. You can find them through your installation’s Parent Central or Child and Youth Services offices. Plus, the base’s library offers recurring weekly events that are perfect for homeschoolers. If you’re stationed at an Army or Navy installation, check out the MWR Library Calendar of Events. For Air Force families, head to the Force Support Squadron website for even more opportunities.
Make the most of what’s available! No matter your budget, there’s a wealth of resources to help you succeed.
What the Research Says
For families considering homeschooling, the data is encouraging. According to the National Home Education Research Institute, homeschooled children often perform 15–25 percentile points higher on standardized tests than their traditionally schooled peers. Research also indicates that homeschooling offers significant benefits beyond academics. In fact, 87% of peer-reviewed studies on social, emotional, and psychological development show that homeschooled students perform statistically better than their peers in conventional schools.
Additionally, studies show that homeschooling fosters strong family bonds and often leads to children who are more independent, motivated, and well-rounded. Homeschooled students often excel in college and beyond because they’ve developed the skills to manage their time and learning effectively.
For more information, you can explore the findings from the National Home Education Research Institute’s website.
Reflecting on Our Journey
Reflecting on our journey, we all, children included, can confidently say that homeschooling has been one of the best decisions we’ve made for our family. It’s given us the chance to prioritize what truly matters—our faith, our family values, and our unique learning goals.
Homeschooling isn’t always easy—some days are chaotic, and some lessons require more patience than I knew I had. But when I see my daughters light up as they master a new skill or share something they’ve learned, I’m reminded why we started this journey in the first place.
Is Homeschooling Right for You?
You’ve been considering homeschooling but feel hesitant, let me encourage you: you can do this! It’s not one-size-fits-all, but it’s a beautiful way to give your children the gift of intentional learning, flexibility, and connection. Start small, research your options, and connect with local homeschool groups for support.
Homeschooling is about creating an environment that reflects your family’s values and needs. It’s not about perfection—it’s about intention.
5 Tips for Families Considering Homeschooling
Clarify Your Vision
Think about why you’re considering homeschooling and what you hope to achieve. Collaborate with your family in the development of this vision too.
Explore Your Options
Take time to research curriculums and teaching styles.
Find Your Community
Homeschooling doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. Join co-ops, online groups, or local networks to find support, share ideas, and connect with other families.
Embrace the Flexibility
One of the greatest advantages is the freedom to adapt. Build a routine that works for your family and don’t be afraid to make adjustments as you go.
Start Small and Give Yourself Grace
You don’t have to have everything figured out on day one. Focus on the basics, celebrate small wins, and trust that you’ll find your rhythm over time.
Homeschooling can feel like a big step, but it’s also a deeply rewarding one. With the right resources, support, and mindset, you’ll create a learning environment that reflects the heart of your family.
Local Homeschool Facebook Groups
Korea Wide Groups
Seoul Area Groups
Pyeongtaek Area Groups
Daegu Area Groups
Resources for Military Homeschool Families
A Guide to Choosing the Best Military Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the right homeschool curriculum is already a big decision—but when you're a military family juggling PCS moves, deployments, and life overseas, it can feel even more overwhelming.
Homeschooling Overseas: Curriculum Tips for Military Families: A helpful guide focused on curriculum selection and planning for military families stationed abroad, with real-life insights and considerations for overseas living.
Home School Legal Defense Association: HSLDA is the trusted movement leader that makes homeschooling possible by caring for member families and protecting and securing the future of homeschooling. With over 100,000 member families, it is the nation’s largest, most trusted homeschool advocacy organization working to advance and protect your freedom to homeschool. Resources are specific for getting started, testing and evaluation, resources for students with special needs, and even grading and recording-keeping tools are available.
HSLDA Homeschool Laws by State: The HSLDA website allows you to choose your state or territory to get detailed information on how to withdraw from public school, homeschooling requirements including testing & mandatory subjects, plus resources and more. This is the most up-to-date information on the legality of homeschooling in your area.
Military OneSource: Military families can find educational resources, readiness programs, and up-to-date information that can help parents provide the best educational opportunities for their children. Military OneSource also offers a variety of products at no cost such as books, booklets, fact sheet brochures, educational items, posters, banners, and guides for specific topics.
DoDEA Auxiliary Services for Homeschoolers: DoDEA allows eligible dependent students who are educated in a home-school setting to use or receive auxiliary services of the DoDEA Europe and DoDEA Pacific schools in which they are eligible to enroll. Read the following administrative instruction for greater understanding of the services offered. DoDEA AI 1375-01 Home School Students
Military Homeschoolers Association: The Military Homeschoolers Association supports military-connected families as they navigate the unique challenges of homeschooling. Founded by advocate Natalie Mack, MHA provides resources, community connections, and expert guidance to help families thrive, regardless of where military life takes them.
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