HOMESCHOOLING MIDDLE SCHOOL||5 BIGGEST BENEFITS I'VE EXPERIENCED 

I love that you aren't afraid to speak truth on your channel even when it doesn't align with the world's "truth!" I have two 7th graders who went to a private school through 6th grade. This is our first year homeschooling. One of them was very bullied (yes, even at a Christian school) and the difference these months have made for him have been amazing! My daughter is very much a social butterfly and I was afraid she'd hate homeschooling because it's so different from all they know. But even she thanks me all the time! They both are CONSTANTLY saying, "I'm so glad we decided to homeschool!!" They would probably tell you it's because of the "sleeping in" (even though we start school usually by 8) and the "no homework" but they have said some things to my mom that make me know they see the more important benefits like the ones you've mentioned here. The growth in them has been immeasurable. Their relationship with me has also grown (although some days we want to kill each other!). I'm so grateful I finally got brave enough to make the leap! If you're reading this and afraid to jump into homeschooling because you're afraid the change will be too much for your kids who are used to traditional school, take it from me....don't let that keep you from it! Your kids will thank you! I promise!

”I think Innocence and childhood is a blessing and I think it should be preserved as long as possible." ♥️ YES!

YES to all of this. It’s about giving them time to be kids while equipping them to handle the realities of this world a little at a time. Learning to be in this world but not of it. What a gift.

When I taught Middle School, both public and private, I always remembered to approach it as if they are just going to forget everything I taught them anyway. Their brains were just hormones up. What they really need is Mom and Dad and lots of hug and questions to be answered. This only happens in a healthy homeschool environment.

I cannot encourage moms enough that relationship you develop with your child in the late elementary and middle school years will greatly impact the later teen years in both your relationship with them and the choices that they make as a teenager and young adult. Even though they start to push you away, they need you more than ever (and they WANT you to reel them back in). The patience you have and the time you spend listening and talking now will pay huge dividends later. The trust that your child will have in you and the bond that you create during these years is a great treasure for both of you This is one huge benefit of homeschooling if you use the time wisely.

Great video! It always saddens me when people who have been homeschooling put their kids in middle school and high school because of “all they will miss out.” To us, that is one of the biggest reasons to homeschool those years, so that our children don’t have to deal with the school scene.

So blessed to be homeschooling, especially through middle school. I see the 6th graders that my son would be in school with walking our neighborhood daily, cursing, talking about boyfriends and girlfriends, making fun of other kids.... I am just SO thankful my middle schooler isn't around those kids.

And I wholeheartedly agree with you about preserving our children’s innocence for as long as possible, I’ve watched so much innocence taken away in this age and it’s heartbreaking

This just popped up in my feed and apparently I hadn’t watched it when it first came out. But let me just say...... AMEN!!! “Kids will soon be adults and have a lifetime to learn about all the wickedness there is out there.”So let them be a kid!! Preach! I agree 100% with everything here!! So good.

Thank you for this as I find myself second guessing my decision to homeschool more and more as she gets older. It IS hard, in so many ways but also so worth it. I can only pray that I'm doing the right thing.

So happy I have found your account! We will taking our children out of public school after this school year. My oldest will be a middle schooler next year.

Yes! Agree 100%. I am homeschooling 1 in high school, 2 in middle and 1 in elementary - next year that will be 3 in high school...the middle school years were challenging but also SO rewarding! My kids thank me ALL THE TIME - they see the difference!!! So thankful for the opportunity ❤️ Love your channel...keep speaking the truth, even when it’s not the popular opinion 🙏🏼😊

I substitute for mainly middle school and I was SHOCKED that they didn't know how to read an analog clock or how to write cursive! But they knew all the dances from TikTok and some meme sayings. I had to research a lot of what they were talking about because it was so much jargon!

I agree!! I see so many loosen up or give up at middle school age and think no, no, no, that's the worst time to do that. I'm with you 100%!!

YESSSS!!!! 🙌🏻 Thank you for speaking TRUTH and being such an encouragement. ❤️

Girl, I wish I could like this videos one hundred times!! This the exactly how I feel about everything you just mentioned!! Thank you for not being afraid to stand up for truth and share it boldly! I totally agree and this is how my stance is with my own family! Blessings to you and yours. 😊

Thank you for your boldness! I needed to hear this today. The timing of this is incredible. This week our prayer as a family is for clarification regarding next school year. We have been on the fence about allowing our middle school boys to go to public school. This was such a reminder as to why we started homeschooling in the first place. Yes! Yes! Yes!

I needed to hear this today 💗 I love your channel. Keep doing what you’re doing!

Preach!!! So good!! I am saving this video for later and sharing too. Thank you girl 💙

Yes, yes, and yes!! Fully agree! I appreciate your sharing this content. Yes to more videos on middle school and high!! I pulled mine in middle, half way through 6th and found very little information out there. I know you will continue to touch and be of good influence to others like myself through these tough and impressionable ages❤️

Love this so much! Thank you for sharing! It’s exactly how we feel as well!!! You are 200% correct!!!

100% agree with everything! My son (13) is sooooooooooo different from kids his age. I thank God daily that I can keep him home. Tfs!

Thank you for this video. Please continue with this type of content. This video is very encouraging and touches on some good points. Well done!

Can’t tell you how much I love this video. You seem to say all the things I’m thinking but am unable to articulate in the moment when someone is harassing me or quizzing my child because he’s homeschooled. Quite frankly, I’m disgusted with what’s considered “normal” in mainstream media/public. We are up against the fight of our lives and I’m glad I have your channel to come to for support/encouragement! Thank you for sharing your lives with us ❤️

Amen! Amen! Amen!!! I'm right there with ya. Homeschooling is not for everyone, BUT I'm beyond thankful that I can do it. It also makes facing the middle/highschool years to come easier with mama's like you sharing your experiences. Love you so much! So thankful for all of your videos! ❤

Wonderful video Ashlee!! I whole heartedly agree. ❤❤❤

Soooo good Ashlee! Couldn’t agree more!! 💗💗💗

Thanks for sharing this! I really needed to hear this!

Such amazing wisdom in this. I love this! I whole heartily agree that we take innocence away too soon. I love your honesty and wholesome outlook on life with kids. Thank you for sharing.

Yes! What you talk about here needs to be said more and I thank you for sharing it!! It definitely encourages me in sticking to my convictions and in pushing against the world to preserve my children’s innocence. 💕

Thank you for this! I am literally sitting up at 12:30 am contemplating registering my children for PS in the morning. Today was a rough day. Thank you for reminding us families that this is not an easy journey but the reasons we choose to do this is what sustains us. Beautifully spoken, precise, and right on time!!

I never knew something like this existed. Thank you for sharing. It's nice to hear someone else that also feels the same way as far as learning about the real world too quickly.

Love love love this vid! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Ordering this, thanks!

Thank you for this video. I agree with your list. I am seriously planning to homeschool my upcoming 6th grader and Kindergartener next school year, all for the first time. Your videos have been very helpful for me!

SO good! This is my hope for my kids. I have already seen some push-back from my daughter as we started homeschooling this year (she's in 3rd grade), but I KNOW this is what is best for her. My hope for them is that they can hold on to childhood for as long as possible and not get involved in things way above their age level like I did. I get ONE chance, and that's why we stepped out in faith to pull our kids from public school. Thank you for always being transparent, Ashlee!

I agree! Thanku for sharing what u believe. Needed to see this. Im glad im not alone in what i believe!

Thank you for sharing this!!!! Wonderful help. I totally agree with everything you said especially about keeping your kids innocence.

Thank you for this video. I really needed this uplifting.

I agree! It was nice to hear your thoughts on the subject. Something that I’ve noticed with my three middle school aged children is that without a lot of peer pressure, this age child embraces academics. In our homeschool, it is the time school work becomes more challenging...and they are capable and pleased to accomplish big things!

I could NOT love this more!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

Yes I remember my middle school and that’s when issues started with me.I’m so glad I found this video,I started this year we love it but we definitely have been struggling because my daughter does miss friends and sometimes I feel I’m holding her back socially but I know deep down this is the best decision we have made.I know this too shall pass and we will be fine especially after listening to this video just confirmed everything I’ve been telling myself lol.So thank you for sharing for new or parents thinking of starting.

Innocence is a GIFT! Amen! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm not there yet as my oldest is 8, but I have to say, the innocence I still see in him compared to friends of his just makes me burst with pride.

Amen Sister! I feel just the same way! You say it all so well❤️We are in our 2nd year of homeschool after taking the kids out of public school. Best decision ever!

Yes, please keep sharing! My daughter is currently in 6th grade. I need all the help I can get.

Great content! Please add more like this...I have a 9th grader and a 5th grader so I have a good perspective of those years. It is needed and worthy! Thank you!

I could not agree with you more! I really could not. I'm so excited you are covering the topics of middle and high school. I have one beginning 4th grade next year and one beginning 3rd. Middle school is right on our heels. I am ever so thankful to God for giving me the gift of homeschooling my boys.

Amen Sister! thanks for sharing this! So important!

I very much agree with everything you said. My son is going to be 13 in September and will be in the 8th grade as well. I've been homeschooling him and his little brother since kindergarten. They are calm, easy going guys. Innocent and smart. We are so blessed to be able to homeschool. I am so glad to have found you. You believe everything that my husband and I believe and it's just so encouraging! Thank you for sharing and not being afraid to say what you believe. So grateful for you!

💯 spot on! Thank you and looking forward to more “older kid” homeschool ideas. Things you found helpful. There is soooo much info on K-5. Thank you!!

There really is not many people who share their experiences and what they have learned along with their middle schoolers and high schoolers. I feel like a lot of people might school their kids through elementary but then it kind of dwindles as more put their kids back into public school as they get older. Everyone has different seasons and circumstances I understand. It’s encouraging to see another family navigating the older years and then to share it publicly. Thank you Ashley for all your vidoes!!

I agree with everything you have to say. I have an 11 year old girl who is going into middle school next year and I’ve really been thinking about homeschooling her because I am fed up with the influences in her life at school. I have noticed a big change in her this last year and know the culture at her school is responsible for that. I have never homeschooled or have any experience with it and am praying a lot about this and making sure this is what God wants for us. I also work full time as a nurse on nights usually Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night so I would have to fit homeschooling in with that.

Love this wisdom your sharing my oldest will be middle school next year and I’m filing this info away for next year. Thank you so much for being open to share.

Thanks for this. We officially started homeschooling our 6 yr old this year and "preserving her innocence" was definitely a pro in our decision. Thanks for the encouragement to keep going through the "tough" years.

Yes! Yes! Yes! As usual right on!! ❤️

Man, Shout it girl! They can never get innocence back. I agree completely with you about knowing stuff about the world at such a young age. Explaining that to family is so hard though.

I really enjoyed this video, I’m currently homeschooling a kindergartner and when I started I had the mindset of, “ we will see how this year goes” after using the good and the beautiful curriculum and watching you and other RU-vid moms given me the confidence to say, “ we will be homeschooling for the foreseeable future”

👏👏👏👏 this video is awesome. Thank you for this encouragement 💗

Yes to everything! I loved point number 5 especially with childhood being a gift and a blessing. We are trying to hang on to our children’s childhoods as long as we can. It’s so difficult when the world pressures them to grow up so quickly. This is our first year homeschooling (3rd grade) and are constantly questioned if she’ll return for 4th and isn’t my middle going to public K next year? We are constantly fielding questions about *when* she’s returning and everyone including family feels/stated by middle school. In my heart that would be the worst time to return and just hearing your video reminds me, this is why I want to continue.

Thank you for this series!!! So true so little videos on older grades.

I am also a homeschooling mama! 3 boys, one of which is a middle schooler! I am SO grateful and absolutely consider it a blessing to be able to homeschool. What a blessing to GET to watch our children grow every single day! To share our hearts with them and honestly, to preserve some of their innocence! 💜 I've never heard of this home security network... thanks for sharing this, sweet mama!

This message was right on time! I am so glad I happened upon your video. I am working now and kiddos are PreK but my goal is to be financially situated well enough so that I can come home full time and homeschool them before the end of elementary school. I am encouraged that this is the right thing to do

I love this! I am at this stage! So very thankful my boys are homeschooled! It is so hard for me ( math alone! Lol) but it’s worth the struggle to keep my boys focused on the important things and not all the garbage some of their public going friends face every day! Thanks for the encouragement!

Thank you for this. I’ve been following you for 3 years now and our kids are the same ages (12, 10, 7). These videos for middle school and high will be beneficial for me. God bless you!

love that you noticed that there is very few content for middle school! Thanks mom i just made this big step and both of my children are very advanced and want to keep our homeschool with a biblical foundation

Couldn't agree more! I have lower elementary kiddos but these benefits still ring true. TFS! I never heard of that system-sounds awesome for internet safety.

Thank you for the video! I am starting to homeschool my 7th grader this year and you make very good points of things I was concerned of.

Thank you for this content! My daughter is 12 and we are in our 2nd year of homeschooling. I so appreciate you covering topics for this age group!

Thank you! I have one entering middle school next year

I'm going to be a first time homeschool mom for my soon to be middle schooler. I am very excited to be able to do this for them and I cannot wait to work on building their confidence they lost during their time in traditional school. It saddens me every single day! Thank you sooo much for these videos. Everything you have said is spot on! Thank you for sharing!

Totally agree...my childhood was taken away way too early & don’t want that for my kids. Homeschooling is such a blessing. I’m glad I can give my child a Childhood! I’m glad my kids still have play & imagination, self confidence & joy for learning. I have a 1st grader & 5th grader but am so happy to be there for them through middle school & high school.

I have to thank you for your channel! I am a homeschool mom of four. I have a one-year-old a four-year-old a five-year-old and an 11-year-old. I have been up multiple nights crying saying I cannot do this anymore. And I stumbled across your channel and I want to tell you you have been my motivation. Every single time I have a bad day I get on here and watch one of your videos. Recently I was thinking about putting my son in middle school because I did not think that I could do a good enough job homeschooling him. I just want to thank you so much for your channel and your videos and inspiring me to keep going!!!!!!

I for sure needed to hear this video today. I had taken my daughter out when she was in 7th grade, 3months into 7th gd. Long story short my daughter has been bullied since elementary school so when she went back to school for 7th grade and the issue started again I switched her school thinking this school was better and it was only 19kids in her 7th grade class but unfortunately it wasn't. Now she is in 8th grade but gives me a hard time at home. I know like this was a late start to homeschool but she even wanted to be homeschool and now that it has happened she doesn't want to do anything and when she does her work is rushed, etc. I was thinking of putting he back in school for high school but nothing in my area as its not a good neighborhood and schools(well the kids really in the school and some teachers) don't make the schools any better. I was trying to look for Christian schools but they only have Catholic schools haven't seen any Christian schools. I'm a single mom of 2 and I'm still learning all this as well. I also didn't want to feel like I was messing things up for her for college ready when the time comes. Thanks for your video keep up the amazing motorating, encouraging videos you do. Yes, more middle/High school videos please.

Completely agree and resonate with all of this. We started homeschooling our oldest this year, going into 6th grade. The things he learned on the bus last year made me want to cry. The music he wanted to listen to was awful. This year has been amazing and I feel like he now gets to hold onto his innocence just a little longer. We will be homeschooling all the way through. My first grader will start homeschooling next year and my youngest will start after two years of Nature Preschool.

We’re not at the middle school age yet (our oldest is 8), but this is definitely reassuring and an encouragement to keep going with homeschooling! Thank you! 💕

I have never homeschooled and am considering it next year for my kindergartener and my 8th grader. The exact reasons why you stated are the reasons for me looking into this. I feel so relieved that this video came up for me. The outside influences and peer pressure are something that is so heavy and forced upon these kids right now in the world. Unfortunately, even teachers are taking the opportunity to force their opinions on students, and when you are not there to correct it and your child is exposed to those things daily. This age is so difficult for them and outside pressures can make things so confusing and stressful. This made me feel supported, thank you so much for sharing this.

Wonderful video! My thoughts exactly :)

💯💯💯 YES to every single benefit you spoke about. I’m so incredibly thankful that my kids will have a much different middle school experience than I did. Question about Trend Micro- has it slowed your internet down at all? We tried one security device and it slowed our internet down so much that it was constantly freezing. I’ve been searching for something because I agree about the importance of it.

I just did a video about homeschooling teenagers and the spiritual warfare that comes with it. I love that you’re doing this!!

Thank you for this. We are leaving public school & starting homeschool in the 6th grade!

These are all great benefits! I love that my boys don't have all of the peer pressure around them too and that I get to see them grow up and not get what is left over! Regarding learning about puberty and sexuality, we have been going through "the talk" with Luke and Trish Gilkerson (intoxicated on life)! It has 3 books that cover puberty, biblical sexuality, and relationships! Glad we get to walk with them through this time! :-)

Thank you for sharing❤ I didn't homeschool my oldest who is 19 now and I definitely agree about the outside influences they run into in middle school. My youngest is finishing 4th grade soon and I do not have any plans of getting mixed up with the local public school system ever again.

Love this!

Great video! I have an almost 8th grader as well. Last year, she begged me to return to school because she felt like she was missing out. Now, she says she wants to homeschool throughout middle school and attend private school for high school. I told her we'll continue to pray and have God direct our steps. I'm so happy I didn't give up last year.

I couldnt agree with ALL 5 of these more!!!! I have a 12 (13 next month) year and an 11 year old and I have seen all of these things also!

Amen, Ashlee!

I agree. I live in Miami and some of the things that I experienced in middle school were showing up in fourth graders at my son's school. The problems I saw in high school such as drugs and pregnancy are now rampant in middle schools and what use to be in middle schools is showing up.in 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. I think young kids being exposed to teen movies and television is a main problem. 10 year olds in my son's math class are laughing at the number 69 and my son doesn't get the joke (thank god). Too many parents and giving their kids phones and seeing sex, drugs and thugs on the internet. It's overwhelming to find out that fifth graders were caught vaping in the bathroom because they hot ahold of their older brother/sister e cig. The district was no surprised that "another kid" was being homeschooled. The district was like "oh no problem " and certified my letter of intent in less that 20 mins. They know why the kids are pulled out. They don't even bother trying to convince parents to keep their kids in school anymore

Agreed with everything. I have a 6th grader ... hoping to homeschool starting next year

Our oldest is a 6th grader, the year started great but he has become quite challenging. I feel so exhausted and drained every single day. I needed this video to remember what a hard time of life this is for him and how important it is for me to remain calm and patient. God is certainly working on me. Thanks for the encouraging words.

Thank you for starting this series about homeschooling middle school grades! My son is going to middle school next year and that alone is what gave me the biggest push to start homeschooling now. I'm curious what differences in curriculum subjects you choose for middle school vs elementary age. We use TGATB for everything except math. Do you choose electives that are different from elementary subjects? This is my first year homeschooling and we are loving it! Thank you for your encouragement and advice with homeschooling! ♥️

Really good tips!

Yes to all the above! ❤

I needed to hear this

I totally agree with your thoughts on innocence. I often say that I want my kids to feel at home with what is pure, what is good. Etc, so that when they encounter the opposite, they will see it for what it is and turn away.

You and I see eye to eye regarding homeschooling middle school. Although I have homeschooled my son since Kindergarten, I was ready to give up (for various reasons) and send him to public middle school. I prayed much about it. I got two confirmations NOT to give up, the second one being COVID 19. Thanks so much for this video.

Amen and amen and AMEN!!! To all of this. Just recently took my kids out of public school, and transferred them to a Christian private school... And now I'm taking my oldest out of that Christian School, because of the filthy and perverse sexual education he is getting (not from the teachers but from some of the students!) I was homeschooled all the way K-12 as a kid, and I can't thank my parents enough for the gift that was for me. Educationally, morally, culturally.... I know that my teenage hormones would have gotten me into so much trouble if I had been in public school. And I would be a different person today as a result. But I wouldn't have had to deal with even a FRACTION of what my son has faced in elementary school, let alone what he might have to face in high school in a few years. I think it is so important to give him as many years as possible without the world's attempts to twist his mind and fill it with perverted and heinous offenses to God. No thank you. I work for a church, and will be structuring my work day so that I can bring him with me and homeschool him from there. I'm really excited about this change and I came across your video as I was gearing up for it. Thank you for posting this. It's a breath of fresh air to hear from somebody else walking this path.

Spot on. 💯

So much yes!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Fully agree!!

with a 2nd and 4th grader I appreciate this video...we will be there soon. I agree 100% with this whole video. I know you'll get hate but IT'S STILL TRUE!

I love all of this! My boys are all little still but I agree with your reasons for homeschooling through middle school. I have a question about friendships. I guess I’m just wondering what that looks like for your kiddos - especially your older ones and being homeschooled. Do they have friends from around the neighborhood or from homeschooling groups? We are the only ones who homeschool in our neighborhood/area and I wonder as my kids get older how friendships will go if that makes sense. Thank you for all you share!