The Truth About Our First Year Homeschooling: Wins, Worries & What We Used
Never in a million years did I think I would be a homeschool mom. As many who follow already know, life threw us a curve ball last year—and suddenly, we were experiencing our first year homeschooling.
I had no idea what I was doing, and this post shares the truth about our first year homeschooling: the wins, the worries, and what curriculum we used.
We had always attended an Accelerated Christian Education (A.C.E.) school and didn’t know anything different. Sure, I had helped teach at the school before, but there was always a team. Time changed—and suddenly I was the only teacher. I was scared. My son requires a lot of attention, and I was afraid of not getting it right.
If you’re unfamiliar with A.C.E., it’s a solid Christian-based, self-paced curriculum. It focuses on independent learning, character building, and Bible integration. Students work through “PACEs” (Packets of Accelerated Christian Education) independently at their own speed. It’s great for families looking for a structured, traditional format—and I still highly recommend it. They believe in what they do and provide families with a strong academic foundation.
Why We Needed a Different Approach During Our First Year Homeschooling
That said, I knew my son needed something a bit more interactive to keep his attention at home. He is incredibly smart but thrives with hands-on learning. (Note: I’m not speaking negatively about him here—just sharing how I had to adjust as a mom.)
After a conversation with my sister-in-law—whose son learns similarly—I decided to try The Good and the Beautiful. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Did it require work? Absolutely. But my son loved it.
The Good and the Beautiful Curriculum Review from Our First Year Homeschooling
Why We Loved It:
- Offers beautifully designed curriculum for Language Arts, Math, Science, and more
- Language Arts (Levels K–8) and Math (Levels K–5) are available as free PDF downloads on their site
- Lessons are colorful, engaging, and often incorporate nature, art, and hands-on learning
- Short, manageable segments that work well for active learners
The curriculum made learning fun and kept my son involved throughout the day. However, science and social studies didn’t stick as well. The content was solid, but the format just didn’t hold his attention consistently.
Why We Switched to Time4Learning Mid-Year
So we pivoted after the new year and gave Time4Learning a try—specifically for Science and Social Studies.
What Worked with Time4Learning:
- 100% online, interactive format with animated lessons
- Self-paced, offering built-in quizzes and review tools
- Flexible structure that allowed us to supplement only the subjects we needed
- It challenged my son while keeping his attention through video and audio content
Sure, we had some tough days. But by the end of our first year homeschooling, we finally found a rhythm that worked.
I had to learn to adjust my expectations, too. I’m naturally a “check-it-off-the-list” kind of person. My kids? They tend to lean more toward the “it can wait” attitude—thanks to their dad. So I had to learn to slow down.
Hands-On Learning in Real Life
Some of our most meaningful learning came outside the workbook. My son loves helping in the kitchen—so we counted baking as class some days. We gardened together, talked about bugs and compost, and explored life skills that matter just as much as test scores.
One of his absolute favorite activities was a volcano experiment we did using the UNGLINGA Science Kit, a generous gift from a wonderful lady in our church. The kit is packed with over 70 STEM experiments—from erupting volcanoes to fruit circuits—and was such a fun, educational addition to our homeschool curriculum. If you’re looking for a hands-on science supplement, I highly recommend it!
What My High Schooler Chose: Power Homeschool
As for my daughter, she chose to continue with A.C.E. last year because it was familiar. But after seeing her brother enjoy his lessons so much, she decided to switch this year to Power Homeschool. She’s entering 11th grade and is eager to explore electives while helping with our family business.
Why She’s Excited About Power Homeschool:
- Offers monthly subscriptions, no long-term contracts
- Access to core classes and a wide range of electives (business, art, foreign languages)
- Includes pre-recorded video lessons and automatic grading
- Ideal for independent, motivated learners in middle and high school
She enjoyed A.C.E. and learned a lot, but she was ready for a fresh experience—and Power Homeschool provides that flexibility.
Why We Believe in Homeschooling
Some may wonder why we homeschool rather than choosing public school. I believe every family deserves the freedom to make that decision.
In our case, it became clear when people in our community and friends of our kids affirmed that this was the better choice for our family.
Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. Some moms may breeze through it—but many of us are learning as we go. It’s not always sitting at a desk from 8 to 3. It’s life, woven into learning. It’s math in the kitchen. Science in the backyard. Lessons in patience—for both teacher and student.
Our TCAP Testing Results Gave Me Peace
The ultimate reassurance came when we received our TCAP testing results. It’s a state-required test here in Tennessee. I wasn’t too worried about my daughter, but I had serious doubts about how my son would do—especially with spelling. He reads well but struggles with spelling. Imagine my surprise (and relief!) when his scores came back higher than expected.
It reminded me: I am doing okay.
Final Thoughts on Our First Year Homeschooling
To every mom reading this—if you’re just starting your first year homeschooling or still figuring out what works best for your child—I see you. I know the fears, the second-guessing, the sleepless nights wondering if you’re doing it right. I’ve been there. And while it’s not always easy, it is worth it. You’re showing up, you’re learning alongside your kids, and that’s something to be proud of.
So here’s my prayer for the coming year— That I would let go of the reins a little more. That our homeschool days would flow with peace, not pressure. That my kids would not only learn but enjoy the process.
And that I would remember this: learning isn’t about checking off boxes. It’s about shaping hearts, building memories, and trusting that God’s got this journey in His hands.
You can also read more from my sister-in-law—whose insights and encouragement helped shape our journey—in this blog post: Homemaking Harmony: Embracing Homeschooling.
We even sat down for a heartfelt conversation you can watch here on YouTube: Watch the Interview.
