HOW I DO HOMESCHOOL||HANDLING CRITICISM AGAINST HOMESCHOOLING? 

If this video spoke to you please share with your homeschool mama friends!

A homeschooling mom once told me. If anyone starts asking questions or criticizing about you homeschooling you just reply with ‘this is what works for my family’ and don’t say anything else.

My mother in law “ I don’t want my grandchildren to be one of those weird homeschool kids” I didn’t let it bother me just because I think it was coming from a place of fear . Last school year she saw how advanced my son is and said “ I’m so proud of you and how well you teach him “ 😭 best compliment ever ! Especially from someone I value .

From a seasoned homeschool mom of 14 years and still going strong. This is a great video. Our critics don't have much too say anymore since one of ours has graduate, went to college, got married and is pursuing his Master's Degree. I think at first people thought we'd mess up our kids and now the see THE truth and how our kids are living out their faith and life.

I'm starting my homeschooling journey with my 5yo and 3yo in August. While everyone else I know that has a kindergartener is signing them up for public school, I am getting familiar with our curriculum and planning our year. I'm so grateful for this community and your willingness to encourage us all.

I was a public school Kindergarten teacher up until my daughter started Kindergarten herself and my husband asked me to stay home and homeschool her. I agreed to have her K4 year be my last year. I got a LOT of criticism from fellow teachers because they have all sorts of feelings about how bad homeschooling is. Most of them thought I’d be back the following year and enrolling her. 🙄 We’re now starting our third year in August. I am loving it and I get my teacher cup filled just the same. 👍🏻

Not every criticism need to have an explanation - thank you for this statement. ❤

Thank I needed to hear this ! God is talking to me through you . Six months before the pandemic hit , Jesus asked me to homeschool to pull my kids out of public and just do it . I did and as a newbie we had lots of struggles and lots of criticism from my mom , dad, sisters and my whole family . ( they are not Christian and live a liberal view) anyway I ended up letting all that wreck me and I quit . I have been feeling the call to to do it but I wasn’t sure and a couple days ago I asked Jesus for sign and this is the third one He gives me , through your video . Thank you Ashley ! Stay blessed and thank you for letting the Holy Spirit lead you to making this video

My dad was quite skeptical when I told him I wanted to homeschool, but I felt validated this year when he said to me, "You know, I didn't think it was a good idea at first, but seeing the way the world is going, and what kids are dealing with, I'm really glad you decided to do this."

Preach!🙌🏻 We homeschool because God isn’t extracurricular!💕

I took my son out of high school in grade 9 and homeschooled him in grade 10-12. I thank God I did. I was able to impart so much about the Bible and God to him! He is now completed school and has kept up his Bible reading every morning 🙌🏽

Amen Ashlee. Every decision I make is to give an answer before God and to be able to sleep at night ❤️

Yes! Kingdom work, discipleship, more than just work sheets!! I waisted too many years thinking ministry was outside of my home. Grace and forgiveness and mercies new every morning! You have helped me through our first year home homeschool (11th, 8th, 6th, 2nd)! Thank you!!

I really needed to hear this message. I am taking my 6th grader out of public school and I know that people think I'm crazy for quitting my full time job to do this. But I know that this is the best for my daughter and other things will just be sacrificed especially as we start and learn together.

Love this! We don’t have children yet, but more than ever I’m considering homeschooling... (our pastor even encouraged us to heavily weigh that option in church on Sunday) I love your perspective. We have someone close to us who homeschooled very very poorly (rather didn’t school at all) and set a bad example to those around us (even my husband who is slowly becoming less skeptical) so that’s a hard hurdle to overcome. However, I love the explanation of eternal Kingdom work. Cuz that’s truly the core reason I considered homeschooling was the biblical learning perspective it allows for! Thank you so much for this encouragement!

I needed this video so much today. My MIL has been so negative about our decision and thinks my children will be behind. She also doesn't think that they will get to go be around other kids. Everytime we go to her home she says that we need to put them in headstart. All while she works in the public schools herself and tells us how bad things are getting. Down right nasty Comments to me and my spouse. Remembering that God gave me these children to protect and prepare for life without me and on their own is great advice!

Yes! So good. I’ve noticed a lot of the time people criticize when they are curious or when the decisions you have made make them question their own. That makes them uncomfortable and makes them want to justify their own decisions. It’s ok though…sometimes people need to be uncomfortable to wake up!

Agreed with this video 100%. When I first started homeschooling, I felt like I needed to explain myself. Now I don’t. Not every criticism needs a rebuttal or explanation.

New to homeschool this fall. Already the questions have started of if we will go back to public school for middle and high school 😣 my husband and I feel that our “why” is strong enough that even if all of our close friends and family disagreed we wouldn’t feel swayed- which says a lot for this non-confrontational girl! Remembering that I don’t need to overly justify it is really good.

Your confidence in your choice to homeschool and also your confidence in God has definitely helped me have firm confidence in my choices as well. So thankful God has given you a platform to speak.

From the need to justify myself to people, deliver me Jesus!

This spoke to me so much. I have had so many sleepless nights the last few weeks. Stressing over if my husband and I are going to send our children to public school this year. They were home last year and we all absolutely loved it. It was the best year ever. You are definitely giving me the boost of confidence I need.

When we started homeschooling 21 years ago, I was criticized frequently. For a while, my husband and I would remind each other that on the Day of Judgement, we'd be the ones to give an accounting for how our children were raised. In the meantime, others started seeing the "fruit" you spoke of, and between that, and homeschooling becoming more mainstream (and therefore, less "weird?"), we rarely got criticized anymore. Recently, though, we moved to a more remote area, where homeschooling is practically non-existent, and I've found myself feeling defensive again about my choice to continue homeschooling. But I've realized that that's MY bad, because no one has actually criticized me here! When they ask if I'm going to put my last one in PS, *I* feel defensive, but in reality, there's no need. My point is, SOME of the defensiveness may be in our own minds (even if that's based on past hurts). Thanks for sharing this great advice with newbies, and for a good reminder for us veterans, too.

These are great Ashlee. You are so wise! I am 37 and was homeschooled all the way through. Back when I personally homeschooled there was a lot of criticism and I remember not being able to go out in public during school hours. Years later homeschooling my own kids I literally don’t run into any criticism anymore. But we live in Kansas so I think other parts of the country would be worse. The things you said apply beyond homeschooling into other parenting decisions as well. Keep up the sharing, you are right on!

Thank you for sharing your heart. You are wise beyond your years!! You put into words what was on my heart but didn’t know how to express. You are a blessing to this community.

I just finished the first year of homeschooling my kids and this video is exactly what I needed. Thank you. 💗

Thank you, for sharing. For me that was a great video. Because even though social media feels like impersonal, the message was personal. I’m a single mom and I’m homeschooling an only child. 🥴🤷🏽‍♀️ My daughter loved it during the middle of the pandemic situation and now I’m in the mind battle of sending her back to school and staying homeschooled. She wants to stay 🥺 We’ll ser before august. I just had to take lots of deep breaths hearing this message. Thank you, again.

I’ve been in the church all my life , I come from a culture that emphasizes that everything should be done in steps I.e go to college in something your parents want get married and have children After completing the first three I sat there thinking I have lived to please people my whole life . I had a strong urge come upon me from somewhere 😂 ( I believe God ) to not go back to work after I had my son I cried and said lord I trust you and I’m not going back full time What a rough road it’s been but I look back even before graduating college I would say these phrases out of no where like I want to be home with my babies , I want to love on them and care for them And then through being at home I found so many teachings on home making and how it is biblical and how I’m actually a steward of my home and I owe the Lord an explanation on how I cared for the gift of children that God gave to me Through that I found homeschooling I received a lot of flack and like I let a lot of people down because I wanted to be a homeschooler and a SAHM Seems like a failure to a lot of people but I can honestly say that even through he really hard hard times I still find myself thankful to God For me that’s a sign that I’m right where I need to be I truly enjoy homeschooling and God delivered me from the bondage of people pleasing 3 years a SAHM now God has never failed us we have never lacked and I fact on one income we’ve even improved If you have the conviction that is reason enough ❤️

Thank you for sharing. I found criticism when I started 3 years ago from my family and it was difficult for me. I knew that God was calling me to do this and I love doing it. Unfortunately I don’t have any homeschool moms near me but the lord gave me your channel to help me through.

Thank you so much for posting! I am one of three moms that homeschools there kids at our church and have experienced criticism from other moms at our church. At different seasons this criticism has hurt me more than others. But God is such a good comforting. When you spend time on His word and he speaks truth to your heart the hurt goes away. Homeschool is all about discipleship and parents are commanded to be the primary person to disciple their children. So thankful God called me to homeschool !

Had to pause in order to grab my pen and notebook... SO GOOD! Thank you!

Thank you so much for this video! I have never been an advocate for homeschooling, but with our daughter nearing the start of kindergarten this year my husband & I have been feeling God leading us in the direction of homeschooling. I have held off on "officially" making that decison based solely on the fear of what our families will think of that decision. Just this week I finally made the jump and ordered her curriculum. I am excited, but also nervous for what our families will think/say. Your words are just the affirmation that I needed to hear as I start out on our first year of homeschooling!

I have so much love and gratitude for you! You’re in the business of kingdom building lady not just your kids but in inspiring all of us!! Thanks for sharing the gifts talents and wisdom the Lord has provided you ❤️ and thanks to your husband for being the great protector and provider he is to enable all of this. 🥰

OMG! 😲 I cannot thank you enough for these words of wisdom. I will be a brand new homeschooling Mom in 2 weeks and it’s amazing the comments and discussions I get from people that are talking to me about my choice to withdraw my 7th & 1st graders from public school and homeschool. You have literally taken the thoughts and feeling from my heart and put them into words. Please continue what you do because your words are encouraging to those of us who are beginning this journey. Thank you again and I’m praying for you and yours to have a great homeschool year this upcoming year. 💜

This really hit home for me. My kids are 4 and almost 2 and their salvation is incredibly important to me. I am excited for this homeschool journey. I think you are such an inspiration. Thanks for all you share.💕

Thank you for saying all this it needs to be said. We are only ones in our family who homeschooled our kids 5 out of 7 graduated from college. I am homeschooling grandkids now but our family has never talked bad about us homeschooling, because I have never one to follow others I follow what our Lord leads me. Praying for all new homeschooling families to find peace in their decision and allow our Lord to lead them on their way.

Over here shouting “AMEN!!” ❤️💪🏻

So thankful for this video. My family claims to be Christians but the actions speak otherwise. They bullied me, cussed me, and degraded me for choosing to homeschool. We currently are living with my parents until we find a house open to rent or home on the market so right now is the hardest time because they are treating me by far the worst. Please pray for me. I told them God led me to do this and they laughed in my face. I know I'm doing the right thing but it's hard to constantly be put down when I'm doing what's best for my child.

I love this video. Many of our family members were a little concerned when we decided to homeschool our daughter. She’s now going into 5th grade and has always been homeschooled. (We also have a son going into 2nd and two sons not quite school age yet) My nana has actually told me that she’s so glad I didn’t waiver on our decision to homeschool and that my kids are such bright, kind, amazing kids. Other family has come around for the most part and I don’t receive criticism anymore. This is kingdom work and sometimes you just have to do it without worrying about others opinions. Love your content, thank you for encouraging us to keep eternity in mind! ❤️

Completely agree with you! Starting our 6th year of homeschooling this month and I was the only person in my circle doing it. Our family questioned us and so many others did as well. But I knew God had called me to this and had no doubt in my mind. I think letting the fruit speak for itself is such a great reminder. I now have family that decided to homeschool after watching us and church friends who did the same. You may be the one that has to have the courage to heed the calling and allow their hearts to be changed by God and not us. I love this series and your channel. You have given me so many great ideas and I am going into our 6th year rejuvenated because of the joy and love you bring to us all!

Such wisdom friend!! We got some criticism way back when we started 25yrs ago, because it wasn't as common. My sweet, Christian grandparents were my harshest critics! Totally caught me off guard, but I "knew" deep down God had put it on my heart. That peace that comes from following God's call outweighs any person's opinion. It didn't take long before my grandparents were very supportive and thankful we chose to hs. I literally never get criticism anymore, maybe because half of ours are grown and have turned out to be wonderful adults. Hs'ing definitely didn't ruin them, but instead fostered healthy development and relationships.🥰

Great advice and honesty I think this can apply to any criticism, not just homeschooling❤️

This video is so good and I needed it today. We started homeschooling last month. It all happened very suddenly and I know It is all part of God’s plan for our family. Thank you for sharing and encouraging all of us homeschool moms. Especially those like me that are new to this whole world. This video is gold!! 💛

I admire you and your gifts. I also think you are stunningly beautiful. Thank you for being a RU-vid friend and speaking truth! I enjoy following your channel. Thank you for all the help.

Nod, and then just let it be! YES!!

Really needed this video! Thank you so much. Our family just don’t get it and it makes me doubt our decision xx

We homeschooled all of our kiddos, they are now grown and on their own pretty much, except our 28 yr old autistic daughter, she is still loving learning, she has a LOVE of history...we homeschooled in the early '90s and caught ALOT of criticism, every from family...we continued because we knew it was the best for our family...we found other homeschool families to get encouragement and support from

Love how you handle it I’m starting homeschooling this year and I’m already getting comments. I understand how your approach but what exactly would you say to comments? This would be a super helpful second part to this video. I would love to hear ideas! Thank you for your words and heart ❤️

Love this video!! My first year homeschooling my daughter I was always on guard because of all of the nay sayers. I just wrapped up my 4th year and I am 1,000% sure God wants us to do this and now I welcome the negative comments because I am so sure I am doing the right thing. Thank you for sharing this!

I definitely need to recognize and remember when it’s okay to just nod rather than justify! Thank you for speaking the truth I needed to hear today ❤️

This gave me goosebumps! Seriously such good advice. Thank you 😊💓

I just have to say I homeschool and parent very similar to you. I want to say I think your an amazing mom and your children seem very respectful and well rounded. Great job mom! Your so pretty even w/out makeup. You have a pretty shape. You look so cute in all your clothes, and muscular and strong. I think your educating your kids wonderfully! Especially seeing that you put Jesus first in your life and directing your kids to keep their eyes on Jesus. ❤️❤️

Very wise words spoken in a very simple way! As I begin my homeschool journey, I have taken lots of notes from this… over all I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your view on this because if we focus on ETERNITY WITH JESUS it changes so many things for us!

Great video! Thank you for taking the time! (I'm going to be homeschooling for the first time this fall with my Kindergartener. I definitely feel the doubt but I'm trying my best to squash it)

Fortunately I have very supportive parents. They see what is going on in the world. Even my in laws have been supportive. If I take my kids out during the day I do get the occasional "is there no school today" questions. They tend to bother me because I don't know these people. I usually try and smile and say that we homeschool. Its super hard some days and on those days i want to quit but more and more the public school choice is just out of the question.

This was awesome. You said it so perfectly. Thank you so much for all the encouragement you give to us homeschool mamas❤️ “eternal kingdom work” yes!🙌🏽

PREACH! I love the way the Lord uses you to deliver a message 🙌🏻

Eternal Kingdom Work!! This sums it up! ❤ thank you!!

I love this! I’m a first year homeschooling mom and I needed to hear this 🙌🏼 Thank you for sharing your perspective and advice! This confirmed how I feel about raising my children and gave me more confidence in combating criticism.

I am about to start our second year of homeschooling and for my family is the best decision that we ever did. I took my experience from both private and public school saw what my children experienced in private school because public hours didn’t work for us I decided that no I am my children only advocate. I personally am a secular when it comes to education but my kids explore all religions and we show them how we can live among together and that respect is what matters and to treat everyone with kindness. Seeing my children be able to speak up even to our own family members when they hear things that are not respectful and kind answer them how it’s wrong what they are saying hurtful my momma heart bursts. We teach my kids to love to learn and my kids are enjoying their childhood without the pressures of everyone and are not beyond their years. As a mom seeing my kids growing up to be respectful,kind and enjoy every stage as it comes naturally it’s amazing I sleep very well at night. Even as a family our bond is amazing and continues to grow.

Thank you for this! I value everything you say! Such Godly wisdom 🖤

This video def spoke to my heart. To not be defensive about opposition. Thank you.

hearing you list out those criticisms brought me to tears 😭 people on the internet act so shamefully!

Needed this video. I am getting so much criticism and never know how to handle them!!! 😫

You communicate so clearly and intentionally. Super appreciate you sharing all you do!!! 💙💙💙

I’m a homeschooling mama of 6 years. I am glad that you are doing these! I haven’t run into too much criticism thankfully. Most people I run into are curious or say something like “Wow I don’t have the patience” Once in awhile you get one though. You are well spoken and your thoughts here to me are right on.

This video was excellent! It spoke right to my core. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Couldn’t agree more! We are accountable for how we raise our children, no one else. Therefore, they don’t get a say. 😁 ((Starting our 11th year, and now that my daughter is entering 10th grade, I’ve heard it all. But all of the criticism I’ve ever heard is superficial. I’m focused on eternity…not what’s “important” here today and then will change again next week.))

This is Kingdom work! 🙌🏻 Yessss! ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you for this. I’m new to homeschooling and your advice very is helpful. ❤

Thank you for this. I really appreciate hearing this perspective.

Yes! Preach! Amen!! ❤️

God hasn't engaged many of us to be lawyers, but He has summoned all of us as witnesses. - unknown

I loved this video. Great things to think about. 🙏🏻 bless you.

I love and appreciate your eternal perspective 💓 Thank you for sharing!

I love this encouragement so much!

You said everything so, so well. I appreciate you and the time you took to make this.

Such a great conversation and wonderful way to react to criticism! Thank you for sharing this.

Thank you Ashley! Wonderful video! This was very encouraging!

Love this!💗 Thanks for sharing!

Thank you!! 🙌🏻 everything you said was amazing.

Could you please turn on the captions for this video? I watch while my kids are sleeping.

I would give a million thumbs up if I could!! Thanks Ashlee!

Love this! Thanks so much for sharing these things💛 How did you connect with other homeschoolers in your community? Would so appreciate any tips you might have to share on that subject too!

This is so excellent! Thank you

This was so well done. Thank you. 💙

I am a new home schooler of the Muslim faith. I agree with everything you said. Because our start date isn’t for a week yet. My doubts are only if I can deliver wot he would want of me

Well said !!!

Preach🙌🏻🙌🏻

Love the bedding.

Great points! It is human to feel a sting at criticism, but we cannot live our lives to please others or we won't be living to please Christ! If you have time, could you answer this? My daughter is struggling with mastering her multiplication facts and she's beginning fourth grade in the fall. Did your kids master the facts with confidence by the end of third? We have been using the TGATB musical multiplication since January... I'm wondering if we need to stick with 3rd grade math until she master's her facts. Any advice would be appreciated😊

So on point! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽❤️❤️❤️

So Good! Thanks for sharing!

Preach Sista!

I really enjoy your video!

💗 thanks I like your opinion. 💕

Thank you for this ❤❤

Great advice Ty!

Well said

I am a new Christian. Do you have any recommendations for me to be teaching bible to my kids? I have absolutely no idea where to start. I also need to study it myself. I don’t know where to start and when I start reading I feel so overwhelmed.