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It’s happening — we’ve officially made the call to homeschool Boy1.

It’s a mix of emotions right now: grief over saying goodbye to the wonderful elementary school experiences we’ve had, excitement about the new opportunities ahead, and a fair amount of anxiety about figuring out this new path.

Boy1 is thrilled. He’s eager to learn at home, sometimes alongside his cousins who are also homeschooled. He’s excited about field trips, one-on-one time with Mom, and his new workspace — complete with a shiny Chromebook that he already loves.

I know the grief will hit him eventually, though. Maybe not in the first week or even the second. But one day, he’ll want to go to school with Boy2, and he won’t be able to. There might be tears, but he’ll bounce back. I’m already anticipating those “missing out” moments — the next Kona Ice truck day (we’ll make our own ice cream trip) or a class field trip (we’ll plan one of our own, maybe even better).

For our curriculum, we’ll be using Miacademy as our foundation, UFLI as a phonics supplement, and whatever other resources we discover along the way. The amount of support and creativity in the homeschooling community is incredible — both locally and online. I’ve already found themed science lessons on plant life cycles, bees, pumpkins, and more. I’m especially excited for hands-on learning, like cooking projects and science experiments in the kitchen.

Most of all, I want to focus on functional learning — the real-life skills that will help Boy1 grow more independent as he gets older. That’s what excites me most about this journey: the freedom to teach what matters most for him. We’re not bound by anyone else’s standards — just ours. Just Boy1’s.

What really surprised me is how many homeschooling families have children with special needs. Before I became a special needs parent myself, I worked with countless families in similar situations, yet I never realized how many had chosen this route. Thinking back, at least five of my former patients were homeschooled — and that’s out of more than a hundred children I’ve met in the field. It’s a reminder that traditional schools aren’t built for every child — and that’s okay.

I have a shirt that says, “If they can’t learn the way you teach, teach the way they learn.” It has never felt more true — or more empowering.

What tips or advice would you share with parents just starting their homeschool adventure?