Our Rural Roots
Learning for the Long Haul
When I began homeschooling my children 10 years ago (wow, that's hard for me to write or believe), I had no clue what I was doing. All these years later, I still feel much the same to a degree. But, as they say, hindsight is 20/20.
My oldest was the guinea pig, getting a three-year head start before his sister joined him at the kitchen table. Most of our school sessions are held there or sitting on the porch when the weather allowed. For years, I doubted my teaching abilities (despite a master's degree in agriculture education) and wondered if the naysayers were right, that homeschooling was not the best decision for our family. But, God had a lesson plan.
I can now assert that I would not change a thing about the years we had at home together, learning and growing alongside one another. I've learned more with and from my children than I ever learned in school myself.
This past year has been one of change. Our son ventured into new classrooms as he began working on an associate's degree at the local community college, while simultaneously completing his last two years of high school from home. He's excelling, finishing his first semester with straight As.
In addition, he's taught himself the art of leatherwork and started a small business on the side with all his "spare" time. I can't help but think the years helping on the farm, doing school in what many would consider an out-of-the-box way and learning to use his hands for good have given him the drive to finish this chapter of his life strong and lay the foundation for a successful future.
If you need encouragement to know that you are doing the best by your kids -- whatever that looks like for you -- I'm here patting you on the back and telling you to keep going. It just gets better.
**
-- Meredith Bernard documents rural life and tends to farm and family from North Carolina. Follow her on social media @thisfarmwife, and visit her website at https://thisfarmwife.com/…
[PF_0325]
(c) Copyright 2025 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.