This year marks the end of Loretta Bouillon’s 17 years of homeschooling. When she mentioned that, I asked her to share her thoughts on those years, for those of us who are just starting our homeschooling careers. Here’s what Loretta has to say about homeschooling her three kids.
Why I Decided to Homeschool
“Your son will have to sit in a separate classroom to eat his lunch,” the Kindergarten teacher stated when I told her about my son’s peanut allergy. We were at an open house for our local Christian school. When I told her about my son’s peanut allergy (which at the time was severe), her solution was to isolate him.
I left with my hopes dashed. I wasn’t really ready to let my child go in the first place, but now that I knew he would have to be separated to eat his lunch, this confirmed it for me. The answer was clear. I was going to homeschool.
When I broached the subject with my husband, he was a little bit hesitant but agreed for us to try it out for Kindergarten. God had been speaking to my heart about homeschooling before this. I had a good friend who homeschooled and knew others in our community who chose this avenue of education.
Getting Started
I met with my friend and got some ideas for some basic curriculum. I was so excited to begin; I started right away when my son was four. I called it “preschool/homeschool.”
With workbooks, flashcards, new markers and craft supplies, we sat down in the new “homeschool area” (a bench in my kitchen) and began our new adventure. When my two year old daughter said, “I want to do school!” how could I refuse that? Making the alphabet out of play dough marked the beginning of our homeschool journey.
Homeschooling Worked
Grade 1 came around and I had just had a new baby. It seemed easier just to keep homeschooling. We connected into a homeschool group, participated in play groups, field trips, and were enjoying staying together.
Three career moves later for my husband (and 3 towns later), we kept on homeschooling. It worked for us. Sure we had a few bumps along the way, but overall, we were able to choose the curriculum that worked for us, study topics together that interested us, as well as travel with Dad on business trips.
Homeschooling High School
Grade 9 hit for my oldest boy, and things began to be a little bit of a struggle. He was ready to go to school. Up until this point he was happy to be homeschooled but it was time for something to change. As hard as it was, I enrolled him at the local school for grade 10. It was a difficult transition, mostly for me, however it was the right one for him. Looking back, I can see that now.
My daughter on the other hand, did well homeschooling through to graduation. She had a different learning style than the boys. She was textbook driven. She loved them. Textbooks and workbooks worked well for her and by high school she could basically teach herself. I became more her educational manager rather than her teacher.
We were enrolled with an online Christian school and I would help her chose and set up her courses, order her curriculum, facilitate tests and exams and help tutor her when needed. I communicated with her teachers online and also accommodated her other educational needs.
For example, she worked as a volunteer in a veterinary clinic and a museum for work experience credits. She took the necessary courses to be a lifeguard and swimming instructor. She took music and art lessons. We even went to a couple of writer’s conferences together!
In Grade 12, her graduation year, she went on a fantastic six week trip to Mexico with her online school. It was mixture of courses, missions work and cultural immersion. She would have never had this experience if she went to public school—not where we lived anyway.
She eventually ended up taking a couple of courses at public school in her Grade 12 year, while homeschooling full-time. She had a secure peer group through homeschooling over the years, and did not feel a pressing need to attend high school for the sake of the experience. She just found it easier to complete a couple of the tougher courses in a classroom setting.
My youngest son also went into the high school in his Grade 10 year. For him, self-motivated learning did not work well like it did with my daughter. He was needing to individuate, become more independent and did not want his mom sitting by his side all day. This was difficult for me; however, I believe it was the best decision for him. My busiest child, I was also worried how he would cope with focusing, textbook work and the heavy homework load. I am happy to report that he has risen to the challenge and is doing well!
Final Thoughts on 17 Years of Homeschooling
I always saw us homeschooling to the very end. I never imagined any of my children attending high school. I have learned never to say “Never!!”
Homeschooling worked for our family but it is not for everyone. If the parent does not feel called to it, don’t do it! It should not be a last resort solution. If the experience does not bring your family joy, prayerfully ask God whether this is what he wants for your family or if there is something within your homeschooling set up that needs to change. God will show you if you ask Him. Depend on Him. He is our answer to everything!
More about Loretta Bouillon
Loretta Bouillon is a freelance writer and mother of three amazing kids. She is married to an awesome man who has supported her vision to homeschool and raise their children against the grain of the world. She is a city girl living a country life that just sort of happened. She lives in a small town in northern British Columbia, Canada. Loretta’s published works have included several magazine articles, blog posts as well as an anthology.
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