My eldest is nearly eleven, so I’ve begun considering our options for education over the teen years. Over the last few months, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing several ladies who have more experience home educating than I have. I’ve asked them all about their experience homeschooling teens and am pleased to be able to share with you the wisdom they shared with me!

Special Guest

Kristi has been homeschooling for ten years and has four children, one of which has already graduated. You can find Kristi on Instagram @lifeamonglilies.

Kristi, how did your student’s learning journey change throughout their teenage years? And how did you need to adapt to best support them?

“My eldest and I started having weekly meetings where we’d discuss the books she was reading, her schedule and the work that needed doing. I had three young children at the time. But my teen, and I would agree a to-do list and, using Trello, a project management tool, she would move her tasks from To-Do, to In Progress, to Complete. I could then see where she was at with things and she learned to manage her time well. When her work was complete, she was then free to attend dance and cheer clubs, and things like that.”

What was a challenge or a blessing when it came to homeschooling a teen?

“At the time my eldest might have said she was missing out on things but now she thanks me for home educating her through high school,” Kristi shares honestly. “She’s grateful for the time we had as a family and in community with other families. We did life alongside one another. When you homeschool your teen, they will see it all! We want to model perfection but sometimes we model brokenness. They see our struggles, our tears, our prayers, but that’s where they learn”.

What were your priorities as you home educated your teenager? Did you have certain areas of focus?

“At the time, my priority was ensuring my daughter was equipped for college. But looking back, I also wanted to prove myself and our choice to homeschool. I regret spending her last summer at home, focussed on finishing a math course. I wanted her to have options, but now I wonder if the debt that students are saddled with can then limit their options in the future.”

“Where I got my priorities wrong, God’s grace covered it. I still want my children to have options but academics are not my highest goal. I want to seek God’s will for them, not my own. My priority is giving them a strong biblical foundation and the apologetics to back it up”. 

Knowing what you know now, how would you equip a middle schooler for what is to come?

“The main thing I would do to prepare, is to teach organisation, self-motivation and time management in middle school. That wasn’t necessarily my plan, but by God’s grace, the experience gained in these areas proved helpful to us later on”.

How can mothers approaching this season best prepare themselves?

“Firstly, I would encourage you to prioritise your relationship with the Lord, and with your spouse. And take care of yourself spiritually and mentally.  I think it’s more effective to show your teenager things, rather than tell them things. If you love the Word of God, for example, let them see that. And do your research on the academics, know your options.”  

Anything to add?

“It’s your job to foster your relationship with your children as it changes from a role of authority to more of a consultant! And teenagers want to talk late at night, so get a cup of tea and stay up talking with them. Don’t put them off till tomorrow. But I would also add that God really will make up for your shortcomings. It’s not all on you.” 

I cannot tell you what a joy it was to connect with Kristi and learn more about homeschooling teens! I felt so inspired when I left our conversation, and am grateful for Kristi’s honesty. It’s a wonderful encouragement to know that God’s grace is sufficient for us!

If you’d like to read more, in this Homeschooling Teens Series, you can find my other interviews here.