Why We Chose a Different Path: Raising Kids Beyond the Bell Schedule

I read a quote the other day and haven’t stopped thinking about it since:

"Imagine if schools actually helped kids identify their strengths by exploring their talents from a young age and growing their skills over the 12 years instead of letting them all follow the same routine like sheep and leaving them confused in life after graduation."

This. Right here. It’s exactly why we chose a different path.

Not because we think we’re better. Not because we’re against education. But because we saw something wasn’t working for our daughters.

Because we believe childhood should be more than just checking boxes, sitting still for 8 hours a day, and racing toward an undefined finish line.

Because we knew that if we didn’t create space for our girls to explore who they are now… they’d spend years unlearning everything they were told to be.

The Shift That Changed Everything

We homeschool with a flexible private online program. That gives us structure, yes, but also something the traditional model rarely allows: freedom.

Freedom to learn deeply instead of quickly.

Freedom to wake up gently instead of rushing out the door with tension.

Freedom to pause and talk about emotions, dreams, ideas.

Freedom to integrate life into learning instead of separating the two.

It’s not perfect. I’m not a professional teacher. We’ve had meltdowns, doubts, and “what-am-I-doing?” moments.But I’ve also witnessed magic.

I’ve seen my daughters reclaim curiosity.I’ve seen confidence slowly rebuild.I’ve seen them learn at their pace—not anyone else’s timeline.

And I’ve felt something too. I’ve felt closer to them. More connected. More in tune. Like I’m not missing their childhood while chasing someone else’s definition of success.

The Mental + Social Benefits We Didn’t Expect

It’s easy to think of homeschool as “less.” Less structure, less social interaction, less exposure.

But in our experience, it’s been more:

• More mental clarity. My daughters don’t feel overstimulated or pressured all day. They can rest when they need to and focus when they’re ready.

• More emotional awareness. We talk about feelings. We learn how to self regulate. We don’t punish bad days we navigate them.

• More real-world socialization. They’re not just around same-age peers in a closed classroom. They interact with older kids at ballet, adults during errands, and even teach each other at home.

• More time to develop passions. Art, business ideas, animation, reading, music, crafting—we make room for what lights them up.

• More family bonding. Learning doesn’t stop at 3 PM. It’s woven into our conversations, our car rides, our daily life.

Judgment Will Come—But So Will Your Strength

I’d be lying if I said it was easy.People judge. They assume. They make comments.

And at first, it stung.“What about socialization?”“Aren’t you afraid they’ll fall behind?”“Isn’t it too much work for you?”

But the truth is—what they think doesn’t raise my children. I do.

And I’ve learned that what feels right often goes against what’s considered normal.

If you’re homeschooling or even just thinking about it, you will have to be brave.

You will need to advocate for your kids when it’s not popular. You’ll need to find your own rhythm and trust that this sacred time you’re creating is worth every ounce of effort.

Because it is.

We Need Better Schools—But Until Then…

I don’t want to tear down education. I admire so many teachers. I believe schools can be incredible places of community and learning.

But they aren’t always built to nurture the individual child.

We need schools that ask deeper questions.Schools that value creativity and neurodiversity.Schools that understand kids are not copy paste products, they’re human beings with wild potential.

But until that becomes the norm, I’ll keep walking this path.

One day at a time. One breakthrough at a time. One tear-and-laugh-filled moment at a time.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re reading this with that tug in your chest, the one that whispers “Maybe this could work for us too…”  listen to it.

You don’t have to commit to forever. Just to right now.

With love,

Sasha