I homeschooled my kids. It was one of the best parenting decisions I've ever made.

As for knowledge gaps, we hit all the basics at our own speed, usually faster than the plodding pace of public school. Even better, we got to do it our way — filled with plenty of hands-on activities, games, music, art projects, crafts, recipes, and field trips. We learned in our pajamas, on our back porch, in the car, at the park, and even in the pool. (Read-alouds are way more fun when you’re floating on a raft!) Plus, we tied lessons into topics the boys loved, such as U.S. presidents, cars, geography, soccer, and the solar system.

For the most part, family and friends either supported us or quietly watched from afar. Our most vocal cheerleader was my mom, who saw first-hand how much fun homeschooling was. She often accompanied us on our field trips to study history at the Renaissance festival, civil war re-enactment and pioneer village; art at the Orlando Museum of Art; literature at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater; civics at the Orange County Regional History Center; science at zoos, lighthouses, and the Orlando Science Center; music at various concert venues; and science, math, and culture at Central Florida’s theme parks. As homeschoolers, we ditched worksheets in favor of engaging educational opportunities.