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“But how are you?”

I get asked this almost as often as I’m asked how Boy1 is doing with homeschool. And it’s a fair question — how am I doing?

I thought about homeschooling Boy1 for a long time before actually making the leap. The biggest obstacle for me was work. I work full time as a behavior analyst, and I’ve always loved the flexibility I had during the day while the kids were both in school. I could visit one or both of my clinics, check in on home sessions, or even squeeze in a haircut. Having the kids in school for seven hours a day was… nice. I’m not going to lie.

Pulling Boy1 out of school meant all of that would change. And I wasn’t sure I was ready for the shift — the responsibility of managing his education and him, while still working full time to support our family. Honestly, that part scared me.

But I am so blessed and privileged to work for an organization that makes this possible. I know how lucky I am. I can do a lot of my work remotely, and when I do go into the clinic, I can often bring Boy1 along (and sometimes Boy2, too). They’ve both become little peer mentors, and the patients absolutely love playing with them — many already know them from summer camp. And when I can’t bring Boy1, I have an amazing support system. Having family close by who can step in when I’m spread too thin is something I never take for granted. Not every family has that kind of help, and I’m deeply grateful we do.

Other aspects of homeschooling are going well for me, too. Being responsible for Boy1’s education and future is a big, sometimes intimidating shift — but it’s also empowering. There are so many incredible resources and communities available, and knowing I can choose what success looks like for my child brings me a sense of peace. I feel more in control of his learning journey than ever before.

It’s still scary sometimes, but I remind myself that if this ever stops working, he can always go back to school — he’ll be supported and loved no matter what.

My life was definitely more comfortable before. But as they say, you don’t grow in your comfort zone. And as a parent, sometimes stepping out of it is the greatest act of love there is.

💭 Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone for your kids — or made a decision that scared you but turned out to be the right one?

P.S. I apologize that so many of my recent posts have been centered around homeschooling, but that’s my parenting journey right now. I’m sure we’ll be back to basics when life becomes normal again.