It’s About More Than Academics: Raising Capable, Compassionate Adults
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
By Ty Salvant
When I started homeschooling my children twenty years ago, I wanted to meet their educational needs, spend a little more time instilling our values, and nurture their sibling relationships. Little did I know how much I would grow throughout this journey. Homeschooling enabled me to reclaim my own education, develop and refine skills that have benefitted me personally and professionally, and build a community to support others on this journey. I had to be willing to teach, learn, and grow alongside my children.
People usually start homeschooling for one or more of a few main reasons: academic, physical or emotional safety, religious beliefs, health factors, or economic reasons. However, those tend to evolve and people continue homeschooling for multiple intangible hidden benefits. We were able to spend time volunteering as a family, learn at a peaceful pace in ways that incorporated their learning styles, and cultivate self-awareness, independence, and confidence.
One of the ways I encourage parents to start their homeschooling journey is by defining education for themselves. For me, it included knowing how to run a household, because my six children need to learn to exist without me. With that in mind, I provided ample opportunities to practice life skills from cooking and cleaning to grocery shopping and budgeting in a safe space to refine those skills for the real world. Chores were not an addition to their school schedule, they were a part of their educational plan.
I saw the results in practice when my husband and I went away recently for a long weekend. Our six children managed everything— voter registration, college interviews, a weekend trip, physical therapy appointments co-op, baking and wrapping 4 dozen brownies for a bake sale, caring for the dog, meals, and even caring for one another. They didn’t need to call me once to ask how to manage a task. That kind of maturity doesn’t happen by accident; it grows from trust, healthy relationships, and intentional parenting.
Academically, we have also been very successful. We have mostly homeschooled in community because I needed accountability, wanted the kids to have experience learning with and from others, and wanted to provide opportunities to be in diverse settings in order to make young adult transitions easier. In our home, we've graduated three children who each received very generous academic scholarships to colleges across the country. Number four is on track to do the same. Transcripts aside, we’ve raised community-minded thinkers who volunteer, are open-minded, and can have great philosophical, political, religious, financial, and relationship conversations, where they are compassionate, empathetic, and supportive. They are genuinely good people who are a joy to be around.
Homeschooling is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is not even the best option for every family. However, it is a viable option for those interested in creating a uniquely tailored, culturally diverse, inclusive, rigorously academic environment. I contend everyone homeschools. Some of us do it full time, while others do it part time and call it homework.
Homeschooling, at its best, is about more than just academics. It is about preparing children to thrive in a world where diversity is embraced and celebrated. It is raising problem solvers seeking solutions to current challenges. It is nurturing strong family bonds through healthy relationships. Finally, it is modeling the benefits of being a lifelong learner.
Connect With Ty