When I first began homeschooling in 2001, I never imagined the incredible journey God was about to take our family on. At the time, we were living what felt like a comfortable and stable life. My children were in a Montessori school, my husband was serving in the military, and our days had a predictable rhythm. Then, one day, God made it abundantly clear that He was calling us to bring our children home and begin this adventure called homeschooling.
It wasn’t an easy decision. I had two daughters, ages nine and seven, a four-year-old son, and another baby on the way. But even with all the unknowns, I knew that obedience to God’s call would bring blessings far beyond what I could see at that moment. Looking back now, more than two decades later, I can say with complete confidence – it absolutely did.
How It All Began
Our homeschool journey officially started just before 9/11. Like so many families during that time, we were reminded of how fragile life can be and how precious our time together really is. I had no idea then how deeply homeschooling would shape our family’s life, relationships, and faith.
In those early years, I learned that homeschooling isn’t about having the perfect curriculum or the most organized schedule. It’s really about connection, growth, and grace. It’s about learning to slow down enough to see God’s hand in the small moments: a breakthrough in math, a shared laugh during read-aloud time, or a peaceful afternoon spent exploring the world together.
Homeschooling as a Military Family
As a military family, we’ve spent more than 34 years navigating frequent moves, new duty stations, and countless transitions. Every relocation brought new challenges, but also incredible opportunities for learning and growth.
Homeschooling gave us stability when everything else was changing. It meant our children could continue their studies seamlessly from one place to another, and we could adapt our lessons to wherever we were stationed. We used each move as a hands-on learning experience – studying geography through real maps, learning about local history, and discovering new cultures and communities along the way.
I also learned the importance of flexibility and community. Each new base brought new friendships and homeschool groups that became like extended family. Those connections sustained us through deployments, transitions, and the ups and downs of military life.
Serving and Supporting Other Families
As our children grew, my role in the homeschool world began to expand. I started volunteering, mentoring, and eventually joined the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) as part of their team.
At first, I served as a high school educational consultant, helping families with transcripts, college preparation, NCAA eligibility, and even military academy applications. Later, I transitioned into my current role as Military Community Outreach Coordinator, where I have the honor of walking alongside other military homeschool families as they navigate unique challenges like PCS moves, EFMP services, and balancing military life with home education.
My goal has always been to help families feel empowered while homeschooling through the constant changes that come with military life.
Lessons from More Than Two Decades of Homeschooling
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through over twenty years of homeschooling, it’s that this journey is less about perfect plans and more about perseverance. There will be hard days when lessons fall apart, tempers flare, or exhaustion takes over. But those days do not define your homeschool.
Take it one day at a time. Trust God with the details. Celebrate the small wins. Remember that learning happens in the messy, beautiful moments of everyday life.
Homeschooling has stretched me, refined me, and taught me to depend on God in ways I never expected. It has also shown me that education is about shaping character, deepening faith, and nurturing strong family relationships. Maybe more than academics.
The Importance of Community
Homeschooling can sometimes feel isolating, especially for military families who are often far from extended relatives. That’s why finding community has been such a lifeline for me. Whether through local co-ops, military homeschool networks, or organizations like HSLDA, having a support system makes all the difference.
If you’re a new homeschooler, my best advice is to find your people: those who will encourage you, pray with you, and remind you that you’re not alone. Mentorship is powerful. Connecting with someone who’s just a few steps ahead can give you hope on the hard days and practical wisdom for the road ahead.
Redefining Success
When I think back on all the years we’ve homeschooled, I’m grateful that success didn’t depend on perfect lesson plans or test scores. It was found in the relationships we built, the character we developed, and the faith we strengthened as a family.
All five of my children have gone on to thrive in different ways. Two have earned graduate degrees, one was a Division I athlete, and all of them have grown into independent, compassionate adults. But what matters most to me is that they still love one another deeply and remain grounded in the values we built at home.
Homeschooling for the long haul isn’t just about endurance. It’s transitions. It’s about becoming more patient, more flexible, and more faithful as you walk this road together.
Finding Balance in a Life of Change
Military life brings constant change, and I’ve learned that the key to balance is grace for yourself, for your kids, and for the process. Every move, every season, and every challenge has its own rhythm. I’ve learned to build margin into our days, to plan less rigidly, and to view interruptions as opportunities rather than obstacles.
Homeschooling allows for that kind of grace. It lets us build a lifestyle that values learning wherever we are – whether that’s on a base overseas, in a new city, or around our own kitchen table.
Looking back, I can honestly say that homeschooling for the long haul has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has always been worth it. Every year, every lesson, every prayer whispered in the middle of a hard day has been part of God’s larger story for our family.
If you’re on this journey, remember that God has already equipped you for what He’s called you to do. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to take the next faithful step.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.” – 2 Peter 1:3
Watch Natalie’s full interview with Beverly Jacobson below!
This post was updated in October 2025.
I’m a homeschool mom of five—four college graduates and one college freshman—with over 23 years of homeschooling experience. Through Homeschool Natalie Mack LLC, I help parents navigate the homeschool journey with confidence, especially through the high school years, college prep, and NCAA eligibility.
I’m also the founder and Executive Director of the Military Homeschoolers Association (MHA), where I advocate for military homeschool families around the world. As a TEDx speaker, former therapist, and national homeschool leader, I’m passionate about helping families see that homeschooling isn’t just about academics—it’s about building legacy, purpose, and lifelong learners.