What happens when traditional education doesn't serve your children well? For Akina, a mother of three who has spent a decade homeschooling, the answer was taking education into her own hands. In this revealing conversation, she shares her journey from banking professional to full-time homeschool parent after discovering her children were being taught concepts in school that they had mastered at home two years earlier.
Akina pulls back the curtain on modern homeschooling, dispelling myths about socialization and rigid teaching structures. Her approach is refreshingly practical: scheduling courses like college classes, incorporating martial arts six days a week for physical activity and social development, and tailoring education to each child's needs. For her gifted oldest son who completed high school math early, or her daughter who struggles with dyslexia and ADHD, homeschooling has provided the flexibility traditional education couldn't offer.
The conversation takes an honest turn as Akina discusses her serious health challenges in 2020 when she was on sixteen medications and preparing end-of-life arrangements. Her journey back to health through lifestyle changes parallels her philosophy on education that consists of finding “what works” for the individual rather than following prescribed systems. This same approach helped during COVID when her family navigated learning gaps that continue to affect children everywhere.
Perhaps most valuable are Akina's insights on maintaining balance by implementing "Self-Care Sundays," protecting her marriage through dedicated couple time, and teaching her children practical independence skills from cooking to laundry. As she puts it, "Teach them how to survive when you're gone", advice that has guided her parenting philosophy.
Whether you're considering homeschooling, struggling with traditional education, or simply looking for fresh parenting perspectives, this conversation offers practical wisdom from someone who's navigated these waters successfully for years. Listen now and discover why sometimes the best educational path is the one you create yourself.
⏰ Chapter Markers ⏰
0:00 - Podcast Introduction and Sponsor
0:56 - Meet Akina, Veteran Homeschool Mom
5:44 - The Transition to Homeschooling
15:04 - COVID Impact on Education
26:16 Social Development and Extracurriculars
34:25 - Family Balance and Self-Care
50:38 - Digital Detox: The "Ass Phone" Solution
1:30:26 - Parenting Challenges and Successful Strategies
1:45:49 - Creating Support Systems and Rewards
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