When people hear that we homeschool, they often ask why. The short answer? It started as a necessity... and grew into a lifestyle built on love, structure, and freedom.
Our homeschooling journey began with my son, who has autism. When he first started school, he was in what’s called an “integrated classroom.” That’s when a child with special needs learns alongside the general student population, but has an aide present to help support them through the school day.
It worked beautifully for us at first. He was thriving, learning, and supported. But when our family moved to a new town, everything changed. The elementary school he was assigned to couldn’t accommodate his IEP (Individualized Education Program), which required him to have that same classroom aide.
We were given two options:
1. Leave him in a general education classroom without assistance, or
2. Place him in special education, where the curriculum was so limited that he wouldn’t be on track for a standard high school diploma.
Neither option honored his potential.
So, like any determined mom, I turned to the internet in search of a better way, and that’s when I discovered the K12 program.
K12 is an online school that provides everything: curriculum, materials, teachers, and therapists. Best of all, his IEP could still be implemented and supported. We could create a learning environment that met his sensory needs, while ensuring he received a full and fair education.
And honestly, it changed everything.
Each year, as another one of my children came of age to start school, we just kept adding them to the K12 system. It’s been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made as a family.
Through every move and life transition, our kids have had stability. They’ve stayed in the same school system, built friendships that transcend city limits, and even attend in-person meetups to stay socially connected.
Homeschooling has also given our family the gift of time.
Since there’s no traditional “homework,” our afternoons are open for sports, creative hobbies, outdoor adventures, and family bonding. We can also slow down when we need to. If a concept doesn’t click, we revisit it until it does. If we want to explore a topic more deeply or from a cultural or faith-based lens, we can do that too.
Homeschooling for us isn’t just about education, it’s about alignment. It allows us to:
Protect our children’s emotional and sensory well-being
Honor their individual learning styles
Keep family and faith at the center of their education
Build a lifestyle that balances structure with freedom
Every child is different, and every family’s journey is unique. For us, homeschooling started as a way to meet one child’s needs, and became the foundation for how we live, learn, and love as a family.
It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Milli,
Founder of Milli Femme
Reflection & Journal Prompt:
What would education look like if it truly fit your child, emotionally, spiritually, and developmentally?
Take a moment to imagine what learning could feel like if your child’s needs and passions were fully honored. What small changes could you make right now to bring that vision closer to reality?
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