When I tell people I’m homeschooled, I like to get a few things out of the way first. Yes, I have friends. No, I don’t get summer vacation. Yes, I get to choose what I learn about. No, it’s not boring. And yes, I love it!

    I’ve been learning at home since first grade. When I meet other kids, they always have questions. There are a lot of misconceptions about homeschooling.

    But I’m a pretty typical teen. I love makeup and fashion. (I’m even learning how to make my own clothes!) I read and write fantasy stories. I like to dance. I play video games and chat online with friends.

    The one big difference is that I choose what I learn.

    When I tell people I’m homeschooled, I like to get a few facts straight immediately. Yes, I have friends. No, I don’t get summer vacation. Yes, I get to decide what I learn about. No, it’s not boring. And yes, I love it! 

    I’ve been learning at home since first grade. When I meet other kids, they always have questions. There seem to be a lot of misconceptions about homeschooling.

    But I’m a pretty typical teenager. I love makeup and fashion. (I’m even learning how to make my own clothing!) I enjoy reading and writing fantasy stories. I like to dance, play video games, and chat online with my friends.

    The one major difference is that I choose what I learn.

    How does homeschooling work? Each day, I wake up and look at the agenda I’ve made for myself. It usually involves some reading, writing, and research. I have chores around the house too.

    I have a lot of control over what I do each day. But I don’t do all of it alone. I’m part of a local group of homeschooled kids. We meet once a week with a teacher. We study current events, math, and more. I’ve made a lot of friends there.

    I help my younger siblings learn too. Recently, I did a research project with my brothers Creighton, 11, and Maxwell, 8. We learned about Greek myths.

    What I learn is mainly up to me. A few years ago, I was reading about U.S. presidents. But I found it boring. So I talked to my parents and made a plan. I studied the Indigenous     people of America instead. It’s empowering to be in charge of my learning!

    How does homeschooling work? Each day, I wake up and look at the agenda I’ve created for myself. Usually that involves some reading, writing, and research. I also have chores around the house.

    I have a lot of control over what I do each day, but I don’t do everything alone. I’m part of a local group of homeschooled kids that meets once a week with a teacher to study current events, math, and more. I’ve made a lot of friends there.

    I also help my younger siblings with their studies. Recently, I worked with my brothers Creighton, 11, and Maxwell, 8, on a research project. We learned about Greek mythology and did a presentation.

    Overall, what I learn is up to me. A few years ago, I was reading about U.S. presidents, but I found the subject kind of boring. So I talked with my parents, and we agreed that I would research the Indigenous people of America instead. It’s incredibly empowering to be in charge of my own education.

    Being homeschooled isn’t always easy. Kids are used to adults telling us what to do. It took me a while to get used to making my own schedule.

    But time management is an important skill, and I get a lot of practice. If I have a goal for the day, it’s up to me to reach it.

    This will help me in the future. When I get my first job, I’ll already be good at working independently.

    Being homeschooled isn’t always easy, though. Kids are used to our parents and other adults telling us what to do, so it took me a while to adjust to the idea of creating my own schedule.

    But time management is a really valuable skill, and I’m getting plenty of practice. If I have a goal for the day, it’s my responsibility to figure out how to reach it.

    I think this will help me when I’m ready to get a job, because I’ll already be good at working independently.

    The biggest challenge of homeschooling is also one of my favorite parts: being with my family.

    I’m at home all day with my five younger siblings. Since the pandemic, both my parents have been home more too. Plus, sometimes my half-siblings or other family members come to visit! It can be hard to find a quiet spot in the house. 

    But I’m also grateful. I love how close we are. I’m working on a graphic novel with Creighton. Maxwell has started asking me to suggest books for him. I’m amazed at 6-year-old Lincoln’s talent for math. And my 3-year-old twin sisters, Addie and Cornelia, look up to me. I actually enjoy babysitting them! 

    We’ve all had to learn how to get along. And when we do fight, we know how to make up quickly.

    The biggest challenge of homeschooling is also one of my favorite parts: being with my family.

    I’m home all day with my five younger siblings. Since the pandemic, both of my parents have been home more too. Plus, sometimes my half-siblings or other relatives visit! It can be hard to find a quiet spot in the house.

    Still, I’m grateful. I love how close we are. I’m working on a graphic novel with Creighton. Maxwell asks me to suggest books for him. I’m amazed at 6-year-old Lincoln’s math skills. And my 3-year-old twin sisters, Addie and Cornelia, look up to me. I like babysitting them!

    We’ve all had to learn how to get along. And when we do fight, we make up quickly.

    The biggest challenge of homeschooling is also one of my favorite parts: being with my family.

    I’m at home all day with my five younger siblings—and since the pandemic, both of my parents have been home more too. In addition, my half-siblings and other family members sometimes come to visit! It can be difficult to find a quiet spot in the house.

    Still, I appreciate the closeness that homeschooling has created among the kids in my home. I’m working on a graphic novel with Creighton, and Maxwell has started asking me to suggest books for him. I’m amazed at 6-year-old Lincoln’s talent for math. And I enjoy babysitting my 3-year-old twin sisters, Addie and Cornelia, who look up to me. 

    We’ve all had to learn how to get along—and when we do argue, we know how to make up quickly.

    Homeschooling has been amazing for me. I get to focus on what I love. I’m building important skills, like time management and independence. I’m also learning how to take charge of my own life and speak up about what’s important to me. 

    But homeschooling isn’t for everyone. Some kids need the structure of a school schedule. Others love being in a classroom where they get to see their friends every day. 

    When people ask me if I feel like I’m missing out, my answer is honestly no. My goal is to be an author. I get to focus on reading and writing to help me reach that goal.

    Homeschooling is preparing me for a life that I’m excited about. 

    Homeschooling has been great for me. I can focus on what I love. I’m learning time management and independence. I’m learning how to take charge of my life and speak up about what matters to me.

    But homeschooling isn’t for everyone. Some kids need the structure of a school schedule. Others love being in a classroom with their friends every day.

    When people ask me if I feel like I’m missing out, my answer is no. I get to focus on reading and writing. That will help with my goal of being an author.

    Homeschooling is preparing me for a life that I’m excited about. •

    Homeschooling has been an excellent experience for me. It allows me to concentrate on what I love. I’m developing vital skills, like time management and independence, as well as learning how to take charge of my own life and speak up about what’s important to me.

    But homeschooling isn’t for everyone. Some kids need the structure of a school schedule, and others love being in a classroom where they get to see their friends every day.

    When people ask me if I feel like I’m missing out, my answer is honestly no. I get to focus on reading and writing, which will help me reach my goal of becoming an author.

    Homeschooling is preparing me for a life that I’m excited about.