Introduction

In 2019, we made the life-changing decision to move to Canada. As an aviation professional with a stable, well-paying mid-level job in the Middle East, it was a very difficult decision. However, I chose to relocate with my family, driven by the belief that Canada’s education system would provide my children with a stronger foundation for their future.

However, upon arriving in Canada, we quickly realized the challenges of starting fresh as new immigrants. Finding a well-paying job was tough, affordable housing was scarce, and the cost of living was much higher than we had anticipated. Despite these hurdles, we remained motivated by one key advantage—access to quality, free education for our children.

We soon realized the truth in Robert Heinlein’s words: “Nothing of value is free.” While public education in Canada was free, it came with unexpected challenges. Our son, who had just started school, was showing little to no progress in his learning. To make matters worse, he was being bullied by his peers. Believing things might improve, we addressed our concerns with his teachers and decided to wait and see if the situation would get better. My wife and I had to supplement his learning at home, just to ensure he will have good foundation in reading and math. Not everything was bad though, we noticed he got a good handle with driving the football in the field. I am sure he did not learn it from me.

Catalyst for Change

The turning point came when COVID-19 hit, and schools shifted to online learning. This transition laid bare the gaps in the education system. We realized that the standards were not what we had hoped for—some of our son’s classmates couldn’t yet speak properly or recognize letters. It became clear that we needed to take matters into our own hands to ensure our children’s development.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a difficult decision for us; we had already been supplementing his learning at home in small ways. And while the situation wasn’t ideal, there were some positives. My son was lucky to have a teacher who was passionate about incorporating music into the curriculum, which kept him engaged and curious. This experience gave us the confidence to take the next step and fully embrace homeschooling.

Homeschooling in Canada

In Canada, particularly in Ontario, homeschooling is a fully accepted and legal way to educate your children. However, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the policies specific to your province. In Ontario, these guidelines can be easily accessed on the Ontario.ca website.

Some families choose to take a more radical approach called unschooling, where children are entirely withdrawn from any structured, school-like education. While this method works for some, it wasn’t the path for us. We chose to follow the provincial curriculum but tailored it to focus on essential life skills.

Beyond academics, our homeschooling approach emphasizes practical tools for life: cooking, cleaning, establishing a daily routine, understanding money flow, savings, and more. This balanced approach allows us to ensure our children are not only academically capable but also prepared for the real world.

A New Approach to Education

Homeschooling has given us the freedom to tailor our children’s education in a way that focuses on their overall development, not just academics. One of the main priorities in our approach is building a strong routine, which is key to fostering a sense of responsibility. By creating a structured daily schedule, we’ve helped our children understand the importance of time management and accountability. These routines have become the foundation for good habits that will serve them throughout their lives.

Moral values are also a central focus in our homeschooling journey, and for us, these values are rooted in the scriptures. We believe that teaching principles such as integrity, respect, empathy, and the value and purpose of life, as outlined in the scriptures, is just as important as academic knowledge. By integrating these values into our daily lessons, we aim to nurture not only well-rounded students but also responsible, compassionate individuals who understand the importance of living according to scriptural teachings and subjecting to the One Creator.

We’ve also recognized that the key to effective learning lies in developing the fundamental skills of reading, listening, comprehending, and analyzing. Once these core abilities are established, academic subjects such as science, history, and culture become much easier to teach and understand. These foundational skills empower our children to grasp new concepts more quickly and critically engage with the world around them.

The challenge, however, lies in managing time effectively, particularly when balancing homeschooling with other responsibilities. Since I work remotely, time management becomes even more crucial. My wife, as the primary educator, faces the additional task of ensuring that the children receive the nourishment they need throughout the day. It’s a delicate balance of teaching, caring, and managing household duties, but the rewards of watching our children grow and thrive make it all worthwhile.

Overcoming Challenges

Managing time can become tough, especially when juggling remote work deadlines with the demands of homeschooling. As I work from home, staying on top of both professional responsibilities and our children's education requires constant attention. One of the most significant challenges is managing the learning resources for the children. We want to ensure that the materials we provide align with our strict standards for quality and depth. Finding educational content that fits both our values and curriculum can sometimes be a time-consuming task, but it’s essential to us that our children receive the best.

Fortunately, there are several free resources available in Canada that have been invaluable in supporting our homeschooling journey. Websites like IXL offer interactive practice in subjects like math and language arts, helping our children build skills in a structured way. Mystery Science provides fun and engaging science lessons for children, with hands-on experiments and activities. Khan Academy is another fantastic resource, offering free, comprehensive lessons across a range of subjects. For younger learners, Starfall helps with reading and basic math, while The Canadian Homeschooler offers a variety of free downloadable resources tailored to Canadian students. These platforms are a few of what we're using and have helped us maintain a high standard of learning while managing our time efficiently. Our schoolboard is also very supportive at providing free resources for homeschooling families.

Another challenge we face is ensuring our children have opportunities for socialization. While homeschooling offers a personalized, focused learning environment, we’re mindful of the importance of our children interacting with their peers. We make it a point to regularly visit local playgrounds, libraries, and parks. These outings not only allow the children to play and make new friends, but they also provide valuable real-world learning experiences.

Despite these challenges, we’re learning to navigate the balancing act that comes with homeschooling. The flexibility of remote work and homeschooling allows us to overcome obstacles, find creative solutions, and continue fostering an environment where our children can grow both academically and socially.

Rewards and Reflections

The decision to homeschool our children has brought both challenges and immense rewards. One of the most gratifying aspects has been the stronger bonds we've developed as a family. With more time spent together, we've seen our children flourish in ways we hadn’t anticipated. The flexibility of homeschooling allows us to follow their interests and pace, making learning more personalized and engaging. They’re not just absorbing information—they’re learning to think critically, ask questions, and explore the world around them with curiosity.

Homeschooling has also provided us with the opportunity to teach life skills alongside traditional academic subjects. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our children take ownership of tasks like cooking, managing money, and even helping around the house. These skills, which might not always fit into a traditional classroom curriculum, are vital for their future success and independence.

Reflecting on our homeschooling journey, we realize that while the path has been demanding, it has also been fulfilling. We’ve seen our children grow in confidence, creativity, and responsibility. The decision to homeschool wasn’t always easy, but it has shaped their lives—and our lives—as a family, in ways we didn’t expect.

Conclusion

Looking back, the decision to homeschool our children has been one of the most important and rewarding choices we’ve made. While the journey has come with its fair share of challenges, including managing time and finding the right resources, the benefits have far outweighed the difficulties. We’ve been able to provide a more personalized and flexible education, one that not only focuses on academics but also emphasizes life skills, moral values, and critical thinking.

Homeschooling has brought us closer as a family, offering the opportunity to teach and learn together in ways that traditional schooling simply couldn’t. Our children have gained confidence, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. We’ve also learned to be more patient, adaptable, and intentional in how we spend our time.