What happens when your curriculum doesnât come in a box?
What if your most powerful lessons are born from broken bones, backyard chickens, and unexpected redirections?
Hi, Iâm Cindy Goldadeâa lifelong educator, a new grandma (!), and a homeschool mom of three incredible (now adult) children. I recently had the honor of sharing our familyâs homeschooling journey at a local homeschool conference. If youâve ever wondered whether itâs âokayâ to stray from the script, ditch the textbook, or let life itself lead the lesson plan⊠this talk is for you.
đ„ Watch the full presentation here: https://youtu.be/SDpIaei_4QMÂ
Three Kids. Three Journeys. One Mission: Follow the Child.
- Aaron, our middle child, taught us that you canât learn to read when your body is fighting Lyme disease. We learned to pivot, adapt, and honor his love of horses. He eventually became a horse trainer and farrier, graduating top of his class.
- Nathan, our oldest, was a football-obsessed tween until chronic illness derailed that dream. That closed door led to 4-H, performing arts, and a passion for agriculture. Heâs now a high school Ag teacher, guiding public school kids in a world he never formally experienced himself.
- Leah, our youngest, endured injuries during high school that challenged her. With vision therapy, functional medicine, and lots of grace, she graduated with a college degree and now thrives as a homesteading mom and leatherworking entrepreneur.
From Structure to Self-Direction
Were there schedules and courses? Yes. Proposals? Always. (My kids knew if they wanted to change course, they had to persuade me with a written argument!) But more importantly, there were family meetings, intentional planning, and constant conversations about who they were becomingânot just what they were learning.
We werenât raising students. We were raising people.
I believe homeschooling is less about academics and more about formation. We raise readers and writers, sure.
But more than that, we raise question-askers, problem-solvers, dreamers, and doers.
