I am a mom of 2 beautiful girls, gifted in their own way and challenging in others. My decision to homeschool hasn’t been taken lightly. I am a teacher with 20 years’ experience, and knowing the difficulties that beset teachers and children alike in the classroom, as well as the benefits thereof, I can honestly say that we had to think long and hard about it. Even now, after a year of homeschooling, there are times when I doubt my decision while applauding it.

I am quite artistic, and teaching has allowed me to explore these avenues. I love to sing, draw, and create, and I could do these things in a classroom. I love helping others, sharing ideas, and learning new things. I would challenge myself to learn new teaching methods continually. I love maths and am extremely organised (my husband would challenge that I am too organised). The classroom allowed me to be organised while constantly throwing curveballs throughout the day and challenging me to problem solve. To be honest… I loved my job. I love teaching; I love seeing the children every day. However, I didn’t love the fact that my job was changing.

At school, I was now expected to spend time away from the job, marketing and advertising what we do. Every decision in the class had to be justified and touted to the parents and higher powers. When I should have been listening to a child, I would be taking photos of them instead. Class discussions would be interrupted by the need to record every word spoken for display, rather than allowing the conversation to flow freely. The fact that the children were obviously learning wasn’t enough. We had to jump through hoops to prove it.

This made me irritable, and when I saw the disservice this did to the kids, I realised that this isn’t what I want to do. My children were getting a good education, and their teachers were doing their best, and it was expected of me to continue. So, when we first considered homeschooling, we allowed ourselves to be persuaded not to.

Working in a private school, I was privileged to have resources, and having worked at disadvantaged schools previously, I appreciated that. My children were benefiting from this, too, until they weren’t. When other children began to bully mine for not having the latest tablet or phone, for having a ‘teacher’ as a parent, it started to make us think. My eldest daughter tried to run away; she was so unhappy. Again, we considered homeschooling, but instead we reevaluated our school choices and transferred to another closer to home. She was happier, and so was I.

My youngest battled a little, but we comforted ourselves by telling ourselves that her best friend was emigrating soon anyway, so it was a good time to move, and we went on with our lives. My eldest seemed happier, but it was evident that she was different. You could describe her as ‘living with the fairies’. She battles to concentrate and has many ADD tendencies, and, to be honest, so do I. Credit to the school: they never asked us to have her assessed. Her teachers did not want to stifle her creativity, but it does mean she struggles with social niceties and doesn’t realise when she is being inappropriate.

She made a friend (not one I would have chosen for her), and she seemed happy. Our lives seemed to speed up. We were constantly rushing to get things done, and my hubby and I longed to simplify things, but we would talk about it and dream. Things were going well, and who were we to rock the boat?

Then something happened that made us step back and take a good, long look at our lives. A young life was ripped away from his family by crime. The horror of this shook me to my core. My children are my life. I don’t want to exist; I want a life where I can feel safe and watch my children grow. We decided to put our house on the market, with a view to moving to a small coastal town. We had an offer, and I gave notice of my resignation.

I felt guilty about leaving my class midyear, but this was what I needed to do for my family. When we told my children, they were happy and excited. I wrote and illustrated a children’s book, got some illustration work, and was all set for a change. Then our house offer fell through. What to do now? We decided to homeschool until we sold, knew where we were going, and could see if we liked the schools in the town we would be going to.

Having been a teacher for so long, I knew I could do it, but wow! It’s challenging! It’s like prepping for 2 classes instead of 1. There are days when I want to ship them off, and there are days when they are so happy we think this is great. There is a wealth of resources out there, and sometimes it’s hard to choose the right thing.

I find that the wheels fall off when I am not organised, and I work best to a routine. Once a teacher, always a teacher. I like a timetable and goals. My children will be entering the real world of deadlines and exams, so I continue to expect that of them. Many homeschooling families will find this doesn’t work for them, but it works for me.

My eldest has thrived; she has made new friends and delights in letting her creativity flow. My youngest, well, there’s the rub, she’s settled, but seems anxious, she sets herself such high standards, she really doesn’t want to disappoint us. She panics and tears up, but it has improved. There are days when we have both cried our eyes out. This is where my teacher hat and my homeschooling at, jostle for space. I know that she might benefit from going back to school after we move, and I’m not against that at all. It won’t be a fancy private school, but that will be a choice that we make together.

‘Homeschooling has given us the freedom to make those choices, allowed us to have the ability to pick where we want to live and for the kids to grow up at their own pace.

I suppose the point I want to make is that I’ve had many wonderful years in the classroom, I see the benefits of school, but I’ve also seen the negatives. I know what it’s like to have a child that doesn’t fit in and one that does. I keep telling myself to take one day at a time. Many people work for school, against it, for teaching only 2 hours a day, and those who say it’s enough. I’ve done both. I can honestly advocate both, but you must do what is right for you!

Don’t be complacent, do lots of research, challenge yourself to be the best you can be, challenge your children to be the best they can be, too, but also be kind to yourself and listen to your heart. Enjoy your children; let them enjoy being little, and remember that it’s okay to have moments of doubt and frustration. They feel that too! Prepare (it’s what I do), but take each day as it comes!

Nicola Obertik Homeschooling

Nicola Obertik, a teacher with over 20 years of experience, recently wrote and illustrated her children’s book “Imi’s Sore Tooth,” aimed at children ages 4-8. “Imi’s Sore Tooth” brings to life our beautiful African wildlife whilst encouraging problem-solving skills and good dental hygiene. It is unique in that it centres on African fairies and can serve as an interactive teaching tool. Nicola is currently working on her second book, whilst illustrating for other authors and promoting her family portrait drawings.