We become like the company we keep. I want to be really intentional about the people around my kids. - Monica Swanson

I’m losing count of the time I’ve said this phrase:

“Gosh, I really hope I don’t look back on my parenting years and regret not homeschooling.”

I’m not a fan of regrets SO I will simply chose not to have regrets, but some days, I have some feelings.

I love hearing about homeschoolers who have the space, time, and freedom to really find their passions, and that’s far from the only benefit of homeschooling. My guest today would have told you homeschooling was a crazy option when she first got married, and now she’s a passionate proponent.

What changed?

You’ll find out in the interview, and I have to say that the Swanson family genesis of homeschooling was a big surprise for me!

We discuss:

  • How to help kids “dabble” to discover what they really enjoy about life
  • Why homeschooling might be increasing (at a quick rate!) and whether everyone should try it (or not)
  • Do homeschooled kids have a better or worse time getting into college?
  • One of the most joyful phases to homeschool through
  • The relationship aspect of homeschooling

This interview will build you up whether you currently homeschool and could use a little encouragement and tips from someone who’s been there or you’ve asked yourself, “Should we homeschool? How do I know if homeschooling my kids would ever work?”

Find all the episodes of the Healthy Parenting Handbook here, or wherever you get your podcasts:

Don’t forget to leave us a review on Apple Podcasts too! Thank you!


Can’t see the video? Watch Benefits of Homeschooling here on YouTube!

No time for the video? Here are the notes!

Helping Kids Find Their Passions

  • 1:10: My guest today is Monica Swanson, and she and I are going to talk a little bit about helping our kids find their passions and love what they do and her journey to homeschooling.
  • 2:24: Monica tells us a bit about her story. She has four boys whom she’s homeschooled since the oldest was in second grade. Her oldest two have both graduated college at this point, one with a degree in data analytics and the other in engineering. Her third son is a professional surfer, and the youngest is still in high school.
  • 4:12: Monica’s kids have very different passions that they’ve been able to pursue early on in life. With homeschooling, kids have more freedom to explore interests and develop passions while they’re in school. Parents can give them time and space to dabble in various things and see what sticks.
  • 6:31: In order to create this space for dabbling, parents need to have some guardrails up around technology usage so that their kids are exploring in their free time instead of playing video games or scrolling social media. Kids need to use their imaginations, be outside, and create stories. Here are some awesome tips for setting technology boundaries.

I think it helped my older boys really be creative being in an environment where they weren’t sitting there staring and scrolling through phones. -Monica Swanson

  • 9:05: Talk to your kids about the difference between using screens to create, consume, or communicate. There are plenty of passions your kids could discover that do involve a computer, but that isn’t the same as unlimited scrolling time. Here is how we navigate these boundaries.
  • 9:45: You don’t have to homeschool to create space to dabble for your kids. It takes a bit more intentionality with evenings and weekends, but you can allow that space and freedom to develop your child’s interests.

It’s what goes on in those free moments that’s really going to make the difference in shaping your child. -Monica Swanson

Kids love one-on-one time with their parents. They especially love it in their pre-teenage years. They need it. -Monica Swanson

Monica’s Journey to Homeschooling

  • 11:52: Monica never thought she’d end up homeschooling her kids. Her oldest son had a passion for learning, and in first grade, he asked if he could be homeschooled the following year. When she told her husband, he wasn’t even sure if it was legal; they’d never considered it before! After praying and thinking about it, they decided to give it a try and haven’t looked back.
  • 14:02: According to The Washington Post, homeschooling is the fastest-growing form of education. The pandemic certainly accelerated that. Some of it is due to cultural shifts as well, where parents don’t want their kids being taught things they don’t believe are true. There are so many curriculums and options now where parents can get more guidance and support making it easier to get started.

Kids don’t need plastic knives. They need real skills.

Teach safe technique, focus, and confidence in the all-time fav lesson from our kids cooking class! (ages 2-12)






Or find out more about the free knife class here.

Is Homeschooling Right for Me?

  • 15:28: If you have any curiosity about homeschooling or maybe want to try it out to make sure it isn’t for you, what are some questions you can ask? Are you able to be home enough, or is there a grandparent willing to help out or a co-op where you can do hybrid schooling? Are you willing to let go of some of your freedom? Is it worth it? There are reasons that homeschooling won’t work for your family, but if you’re curious and able, it won’t hurt to try it out.
  • 17:22: In her book, Monica shares 20 reasons to homeschool; she tells us a few now.
    • Many colleges are seeking homeschooled kids because they’re organized, self-directed, and socially adjusted.
    • They can more freely pursue their passions and interests.
    • So much time together at home can forge strong sibling relationships that last a lifetime.
    • You can pass on your faith and values to your children.
    • You can travel outside traditional school breaks and do school around unique schedules like teenager jobs.

Spending intentional time with your kids is not easy, but it's a choice you never regret. -Monica Swanson

  • 19:56: There is sacrifice involved in homeschooling, but the freedom it offers the family is worth it for many.

Homeschooling Myths

  • 20:26: It’s a pretty well-dispelled myth that homeschoolers are all weird and unsocialized. How do you want your kid to be socialized? In a group of peers they’re randomly mixed up with at school, or do you want to choose or vet the influences in your child’s life? They don’t have to live in a bubble, but you can choose who they’re with on a daily basis.
  • 21:57: Worst case scenario, what if your kid grows up a little weird? There are worse things in the world. Many highly successful people are a little weird. There are plenty of weird kids in public school, too. It doesn’t all come down to whether they were homeschooled or not.

If you’ve ever said…

“I just want my kids to eat what I make!”

This free 5-day challenge was made for you.

end picky eating power struggle

Spend just 30 minutes a day learning practical strategies that reduce mealtime battles and help kids build confidence with food.

Join the Challenge!

Homeschooling Through Middle and High School

  • 23:56: Middle school can be a tenuous time for kids and the parent/child relationship. Homeschooling through middle school gives the child a safe and secure space to go through all the weirdness of middle school without having all the social stuff in their face all day, every day. You can talk about identity and all those important things middle schoolers are working through. Help your middle schooler thrive!
  • 25:23: Homeschooling high school feels a bit different, it feels more serious and high stakes. It’s really important to keep good records. Monica strongly believes that parents should do everything they can to keep the college door open. You don’t want your child to decide they want to attend college as a senior in high school and realize they aren’t prepared.
  • 27:21: Kids are getting pretty independent in high school. They can get internships or jobs and do school around their schedule. This is when they’re dabbling and growing and becoming adults in front of your eyes.
  • 28:03: Both of Monica’s older boys went to college with scholarships. You really need to do your research to find all the many, many scholarships that are available. Involve your kids in the process and help them take ownership of covering their college payment.
  • 30:05: If you give kids space and confidence, they will naturally gravitate toward their passions and want to pursue them. We talked about this a lot in this interview as well. My oldest didn’t do theater until his senior year of high school, but now, two years later, it’s his job.
  • 32:15: Monica shares her hopes for her readers.
  • 33:28: Check out Monica’s books, follow her online, and be sure to get her freebie about what to expect at every stage of parenting.

Resources We Mention for Homeschooling

Monica Swanson is a popular blogger, host of the Monica Swanson Podcast (formerly the Boy Mom podcast), and author of Boy Mom, Raising Amazing, and her newest book, Becoming Homeschoolers.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Monica graduated from Pepperdine University and earned her teaching credential from Linfield College. Monica has a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and has spent much of her life as a personal coach and trainer. She and her doctor-husband, Dave, have one college graduate son, one son in college, another son surfing professionally and taking college classes online, and a 14-year-old son – all of whom were homeschooled by Monica. The Swanson family enjoys growing tropical fruit at their family home in the country on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.