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Corporate Dropout to Homeschool Mom
Dr. Wendy C. • September 3, 2021
I made it work as long as I could. And one day I found myself at a crossroad.
Corporate Dropout to Homeschool Mom
I learned years ago to take the phrase “I would never” out of my vocabulary! As a military spouse who moved often, I struggled with stability in maintaining a career I could grow with and call my own. So, in the midst of the military life I was married into, I decided to build my education to make myself marketable in the corporate world and pour into my own identity to maintain ME. And guess what? It worked! I had some amazing jobs, worked with some amazing people, and did some amazing things at all of the bases where we were stationed. And, “I would never” have guessed that being a homeschool mom was in my future.
I made it work for as long as I could. However, one day I found myself at a crossroad. I had to ask myself, do I walk away from everything I worked for outside of being a military spouse? Or do I choose to trust a system that is clearly not working for my children? It’s amazing what a parent will do for their child when they see a system that is not serving them well. Whether it’s a child that’s being held back because they can’t keep up or a child that’s being held back because they are too advanced, it’s a tough spot to be in. So, I did it. Although I made a choice, I feel like I had no choice in the matter at all.
I was scared. And at times I was even resentful. The fear of leaving Corporate America after hurdling adversities to get where I was, was no easy feat. But what would be the cost of staking my claim as a career woman and climbing the corporate ladder? I truly thought I was crazy for thinking that I could drop corporate life and successfully take on a new role as a homeschool mom. But the biggest elephant in the room, was how could I effectively provide educational instruction to both my son who has an ADHD and ASD diagnosis along with my daughter who is advanced beyond her years. Two totally different spectrums.
As I write this Blog, I realize that like anything else in life, there are always twists and turns to any story. Now 6 years later I look back and think about how my decision to drop out of corporate life (and leave my comfort zone) has had a huge positive impact on the lives of my children forever. My son, who had no intelligible words and couldn’t be understood in 1st grade. My Son, whose special education team met with us and insisted he leave 1st grade and go back to kindergarten. He was shunned, bullied by his peers, pushed aside by his providers and teachers, and labeled as a terror because of his tantrums, outbursts, and inability to communicate. My son who couldn’t keep up socially or educationally with his peers, is now fully thriving! Today I have a teenage son who is a social moth (he would die if I called him a butterfly), loves reading and history, a member of the Civil Air Patrol (who co-piloted a plane before even learning to drive a car), and enjoys learning foreign languages. He's excelling in each of these areas- and I'm so proud of him! It wholeheartedly took me shifting my mindset to help him thrive!
When I look at my initially very shy daughter- who in kindergarten tested at 4th grade level (in all subjects) was overlooked in class and bored because she wasn’t being challenged. As a homeschool mom, I can feed her with curriculum that challenges her and is engaging which has reignited her spark for learning. Not only has she been able to maintain good grades as a middle schooler, but the freedom of homeschooling has allowed her to take and excel at upper-level HS classes. Not being bound by an inflexible schedule, has allowed her to grow artistically too. My daughter loves making specialty Fursuits, drawing, painting, and sewing. And when she’s not working on a new craft, she’s managing her YouTube channels and Etsy store.
I’m doing something “I would never” have dreamt of doing. I honestly never thought leaving Corporate America to homeschool my special needs and gifted children was in my cards. For my son developmental growth for his education was imperative. And for my daughter, she needed grade level flexibility and specialization with the freedom to develop her artistic interests and gifts. It was clearly meant for me to leave corporate life, to undertake my true mission as a Homeschool mom to advocate for and advance the education of my children. For my decision, I am forever grateful.
I share all of this to say that the decision to homeschool and actually doing it is no easy feat. Well, I know it wasn’t for me anyway. I firmly believe that, if I can do it, you can too! To see my children now thriving in unimaginable ways, makes me trust that dropping out of corporate life to Homeschool was the BEST decision that I have ever made!
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