June 2025

It’s time to jump for joy because I have a homeschool graduate. He should get more accolades than just a diploma and blog post, but there isn’t a lot of pomp and circumstance when there’s just one student in the school.

At five-years-old, he was a nature boy, and he loved snakes. Later he got into building things. He made countless toys out of cardboard, and he had Lego sets and robots, and he took pottery classes too. Then he found the piano, and that was it. However, all these things he still enjoys. He still likes to wander around the woods and see what critters and plants he can find, and he loves looking at art and admiring other artists’ craftsmanship. I love that he’s such an interesting, likeable person.

Last month marked the end of his homeschool education as he finished all the requirements his dad and I set forth for his high school diploma, which are typical college entrance requirements but with a focus on foreign language (Chinese and German) and piano performance (due to his strong interest in these areas). During high school, he practiced piano 4~6 hours a day, 7 days a week, taking time off only occasionally. This was his choice. Next year, he will be auditioning for music conservatories, so our journey is not over yet! But right now I want to bask in the fact that I actually did it….I homeschooled my son for his entire K-12 education, and despite all the stress and worry I experienced, it worked out!

His academic and music achievements might satisfy the naysayers, but I’m more happy that he’s curious and likes learning. This was my ultimate goal — to raise life-long learners. More importantly, he’s a kind and friendly young man (I’ve been told by others who have met him). He’s extremely hardworking, so I know that he’ll create a career in music, though I don’t know what that will look like yet. He’s not in it for fame or money; he loves music. He’s truly remarkable, and I know I’m biased, but he really is. I couldn’t ask for more reward than this as I close out my “homeschool parent” career.

Yesterday my husband told me that he knew I spent thousands of hours homeschooling our kids, researching homeschool resources and reading about education philosophies. He said he knows because he saw me do it. My graduate asked me how it felt to have my life’s work finished, and he told me that homeschooling him and his brother may be my life’s greatest achievement, and it’s nothing to snuff at. So this is my reward too. I am glad that the people who count appreciate my work.

However, my life’s not over! This is just a new beginning. I have a bit more work to do for my boys, but I will also enter a new phase of my life, and I look forward to it.

Although I don’t blog very much anymore, I may add a few updates now and again. If you ever have questions about homeschooling, I’m happy to answer them and offer encouragement. You can reach out anytime.