What Is Deschooling? Why Our Family Chose to Slow Down.

When we made the decision to homeschool, we weren't leaving a bad situation.

Our children attended a wonderful private Catholic school with caring teachers, a strong community, and an excellent education. We have so much respect for the school and are grateful for our time there!

But over time, we realized something... Our children needed something different.

They needed less structure, less technology, and fewer rushed schedules. They needed more free play, more time outside, and more opportunities to simply be children.

Like many new homeschool parents, I thought homeschooling would be just like regular school- just at home. I bought curriculumand planned what I thought our days would look like. But, I realized it was still too much. It didn't feel right.

Then I learned about something called deschooling.

What Is Deschooling?

Deschooling is the transition period between traditional schooling and homeschooling. It's a time for both children and parents to adjust to a completely different way of thinking about education.

For years, children often learn that education looks a certain way:

* Sitting at a desk

* Following a bell schedule

* Completing assignments

* Learning within a structured routine

When you begin homeschooling, it takes time to realize that meaningful learning can happen almost anywhere.

Why We're Choosing to Deschool

For our family, homeschooling wasn't about escaping school—it was about creating more space for the kind of childhood we wanted our children to have.

We're intentionally slowing down.

We're spending more time outdoors, reading together, exploring our interests, cooking, building, creating, and allowing room for curiosity to grow naturally. We're discovering that learning doesn't always need a lesson plan.

Sometimes it looks like asking questions on a nature walk. Sometimes it's baking together in the kitchen. Sometimes it's getting completely absorbed in a LEGO creation for an hour.

Those moments matter, too.

Deschooling Is for Parents, Too

One thing I didn't expect was that I would need to deschool myself. I had to let go of the idea that every productive day needed to look like a classroom. I'm still learning that education isn't measured by how many worksheets we finish or how closely we stick to a schedule.

It's measured by curiosity, connection, and a genuine love of learning.

Where We Are Right Now

We're still in our deschooling season.

We're learning what works for our family and giving ourselves permission to move at a slower pace. Some days include curriculum, while others are filled with books, outdoor adventures, creative projects, and conversations that naturally lead to learning.

I'm discovering that homeschooling isn't about recreating school at home—it's about creating an education that reflects our family's values and the childhood we want our children to experience.

If You're Beginning Your Homeschool Journey

If you're preparing to homeschool, know this:

* You don't have to rush.

* It's okay to pause before jumping into a full academic routine.

* Your children may simply need time to rest, explore, and rediscover the joy of learning.

And maybe you do, too.

Sometimes slowing down is the very first step toward building a homeschool you'll love.