Why Homeschooling is working for me right now.

Why I Love Homeschooling and Why It’s Right for Us

I’ve always known I didn’t quite fit into the traditional school system. Looking back, I would have loved to spend all my time with my mum but that just wasn’t possible. Homeschooling wasn’t really a thing when I was a child, and honestly, even if it had been, my mum didn’t know countries from  continents. I probably wouldn’t have learned as much as I have now but not because she wasn’t brilliant. She was incredible. She spent her days cooking, cleaning, mothering, holding everything together. If I had stayed home with her, we would probably have just ended up talking all day or watching movies, cuddled under blankets. It would have been wonderful but probably not the most productive academically.

When I first started thinking about homeschooling Amira, I was away on a long holiday in Egypt for a month. I remember feeling frustrated and a little sad. How could I possibly be fined for taking my own child on an amazing experience? She was only six. Surely the learning and life experience she was gaining there were worth far more than what she would have learned sitting in a classroom for six hours a day. And yet, the law made it feel like I was in the wrong for doing what I felt was right for my own child.

While we were in Egypt, the awful situation with Palestine and Israel unfolded. When we returned to school in England, there was no space to discuss it or respond in any meaningful way. Compare that to the response when Russia invaded Ukraine—fundraisers, awareness, discussion were encouraged. That disparity made me think deeply: did I really want my child spending hours a day in an environment where compassion, curiosity, and real-world awareness were limited by bureaucracy or indifference? Did I want someone else deciding what and how she should learn, rather than guiding her in a way that felt aligned with her curiosity and values?

There was also the practical side. Amira is easily distracted. A classroom with thirty children, half of whom are also easily distracted, meant she was getting maybe half an hour of dedicated learning time each day. At home, she gets an hour of one-to-one attention from me, focused entirely on her needs and interests. The progress she has made has been remarkable. I was wary at first, worried about socialization but I underestimated how many opportunities there are outside traditional school. Now, she does horse riding, gymnastics, dancing, and other activities that she loves. She’s thriving socially and emotionally, while also learning academically in a way that suits her perfectly.

I also reflect on my own experiences as a parent. When my boys were little, homeschooling all three of them would have been too much. I loved school holidays, but it wasn’t the right time for me to home school back then, Now, with Amira, I feel ready. I know myself better, I have more patience, more energy, and the luxury of time to invest in her learning. Homeschooling is not just good for her it’s good for me.

I know people often roll their eyes when I talk about homeschooling. It seems alien because most of us follow the system automatically. Sending a child to school is what everyone does, so anything different feels unusual or even wrong. But just because it’s different doesn’t mean it isn’t right for a particular child or family. For some children, school is perfect, and it works beautifully. For others, homeschooling offers a more tailored, compassionate, and effective environment.

Of course, flexibility is key. If Amira ever wanted to return to school, she could. And if I found myself having one too many duvet days or struggling to balance it all, we would make the changes that were best for her. Homeschooling isn’t about perfection or rigidity it’s about nurturing curiosity, independence, and love of learning in a way that fits the child.

In the end, I adore homeschooling. It allows me to spend precious time with my child, to tailor her learning to her needs, and to create experiences that are meaningful, rich, and joyful. If it’s possible for your family, and if it feels right for your child, I honestly believe it can be one of the most rewarding choices you’ll ever make.

With that being said let me just go get her lazy ass off you tube 🤦‍♀️