From Carpool to Kitchen Table: Our Homeschool Journey
by Kesa Ennen, guest blogger
If we met five years ago, I would have told you that I’d just entered a new season of life. All three of my kids were finally in school, and I was living that carpool line life while enjoying a little taste of freedom—the kind so many moms joke about. Back then, I firmly believed homeschooling wasn’t for us. I even had a list of reasons why. At the top? How could they let their lights shine (Matthew 5:16) if I kept them sheltered at home? Take my husband for example. He grew up in an agnostic home and became a Christian thanks to friendships he built at school. For us, public school was working.
Until it wasn’t.
Our Homeschooling Story
When the world shut down in spring 2020, the kids finished the semester virtually, and it changed everything. That season opened my eyes to learning gaps I didn’t know existed.
My oldest always tested ahead in reading, and his grades were great. But there were holes in his education that left me stunned. The same was true for my middle child, who was on grade level and also doing well in school.
It made me question: Is public school still working for us?
We had chosen our home specifically for the “best” elementary school in the area. The teachers were wonderful, but the large class sizes meant they couldn’t give the kids the attention they needed. On top of that, classroom discipline issues were eating into valuable instruction time.
Even though I don’t have a professional background in education, I started wondering: Could I fill these gaps myself?
To make matters even more complicated, new ideas and beliefs began circulating within the school system—things that didn’t align with our family’s values.
That summer, I dove headfirst into researching homeschooling. My state is very homeschool-friendly, so the process to get started was simple: I just had to withdraw them from public school. From there, I explored different curriculums, embracing the flexibility to find what worked best for each of my kids’ learning styles. There was definitely some trial and error in the beginning, but I discovered an abundance of resources, including an annual homeschool convention where I could view materials firsthand and talk to curriculum providers.
How We Homeschool
I’ll admit, I was nervous about how the kids would adjust. They’re all very social and thrive on being around their peers. To my surprise, they loved it! They quickly realized how much easier it was to grasp concepts with one-on-one instruction, which boosted their confidence and enthusiasm for learning. We also joined local co-ops where they could take electives, learn new skills, and be with peers. It’s been the best of both worlds!
Homeschooling has given us so much freedom. Teaching doesn’t take eight hours a day. Many days, we’re done by lunchtime. As they’ve gotten older, much of their learning has become self-directed, leaving more time for passions and life skills.
For instance, my 15-year-old discovered a love for cooking. His first big purchase? An Oklahoma Joe smoker. He’s been diving into the science of mixing flavors and perfecting the art of smoking meats—he’s passionate about it.
We also focus on life skills that are age appropriate. All three kids contribute to chores around the house, tackling everything from cooking and dishes to laundry, floors, and everything in between. They are proficient in skills I didn’t learn until after I left home, and teaching them these tasks has been a priority for us. It’s important to prepare them for life outside our home, but it’s also been a blessing for our family. With everyone pitching in, we free up more time for fun and meaningful activities because the household duties are completed by a team.
While every homeschool family does things differently, I prefer structure. We start school at the same time each morning (no sleeping in until 10, even though we could!). Schoolwork is a priority, and once it’s done, we have the freedom to enjoy the rest of the day however we like.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking: But wait—I can’t homeschool because I work! Guess what? I’ve been working from home since the beginning. I work part-time, and when I’m in meetings or catching up on tasks, the kids focus on their schoolwork. It’s all about finding a rhythm that works for your family.
Homeschool Recommended Reading + Curriculum Overview
If you’re just starting your homeschool journey or even considering it, I highly recommend these two short, encouraging reads:
Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie
Think Outside the Classroom by Kelly Crawford
Most homeschool curriculums are Christian-based, but don’t typically adhere to a specific doctrine. Instead, they focus on broad Christian principles such as the belief that God is the Creator of the world. These foundational principles are woven into history, science and literature in a way that acknowledges God’s role in creation and history without diving into denominational specifics. They provide a faith-centered framework for learning while leaving room for families to incorporate their own beliefs and practices as they see fit.
Curriculums we have used include:
Sonlight - Charlotte Mason style approach that emphasizes literature and reading rather than relying heavily on textbooks. It’s an excellent choice for families and children who love to read.
Bob Jones University (for homeschool) - Mimics the traditional classroom style of learning, making it a great fit for families who prefer a structured school-like approach. They offer parent-led teaching or video based instruction.
The Good and The Beautiful - Renowned for its incorporation of beautiful artwork throughout the materials. The curriculum is designed to inspire creativity and appreciation for beauty alongside academic learning.
Saxon Math - Uses a spiral approach to teaching math concepts. This means new topics are introduced incrementally while continuously reviewing subsequent lessons to ensure mastery. Each lesson builds on the previous one, reinforcing understanding of older material.
Nicole the Math Lady - Nicole has video lessons for each level of Saxon Math. Her short videos walk the students through the new concepts with easy to understand explanations. This is a subscription based service that our family has taken advantage of for years now. She also offers an add-on that will grade the students’ work and provide analytics on their performance.
Apologia - Popular science curriculum known for its conversational tone and hands-on experiments. It is designed to be student-friendly and offers independent study or parent-led instruction.
Encouragement for Parents + Students
Our oldest son started high school this year, and we made the decision to reintegrate him into the school system thanks to an incredible opportunity in our area. He’s now attending an early college charter high school that offers a self-paced program requiring a 90% mastery to progress to the next concept. The school’s mission is to graduate students with both a high school diploma and an associate degree. As a charter school, it covers college tuition and books at no cost to parents - a tremendous blessing.
Our son has thrived in this environment. In just five months, he’s on track to complete his entire freshman year of high school. When school resumes after Christmas break, he’ll begin his first two college courses and start his sophomore year of high school at the end of this month. He even tested out of Algebra I at the beginning of the school year (thanks to Saxon Math!), earning his first high school credit.
I share this not to boast about my son or our choices but to encourage you. If reintegrating into the school system becomes part of your journey, know that it is possible for your child to transition successfully. Homeschooling doesn’t have to be perfect for your kids to excel academically and thrive in new environments.
As a gentle reminder, what works well for our family might not work as seamlessly for yours - and that’s ok! Homeschooling is a personal journey and as you navigate it, you’ll discover rhythms and systems that fit your unique needs and the needs of your children. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to educating your kids. My goal in sharing our story is to help take away some of the scary stigmas and show that while our way of doing things isn’t perfect, when it’s working well, everyone in our family benefits.
Homeschooling can be a beautiful, rewarding experience, and if it’s on your heart, I encourage you to explore it with an open mind. You’ve got this!
Kesa Ennen is an accomplished executive assistant at Prep Communications where she excels in providing high-level administrative support and streamlining operations. Kesa joined Prep after work in health care settings and serving in executive support roles with Allobee, The Riveter, and designer Rebecca Minkoff. Kesa holds a BBA from Stephen F. Austin State University and an MBA from LeTourneau University. She and her husband are raising three kids in the Lone Star State, and she holds the title as Prep’s first hire outside of North Carolina.
