As we near the end of the year and reflect on this Christmas season, I wanted to share a blog post that’s a little different. This is a reflection on how our beliefs shape our homeschool and the lifestyle we’ve chosen as a family.
I don’t tend to talk about religion often on my platforms. My faith is something deeply sacred and personal to me. While I’m grateful for the community I’ve built online, I also know that as platforms grow, beliefs can invite criticism or misunderstanding. Because of that, I’ve often kept this part of my life quiet. Still, it has shaped our family so profoundly that it feels important to acknowledge it, especially during this season.
We are firm believers in Jesus Christ and believe that He is our Savior. We believe in a loving Heavenly Father, and we hold traditional Christian values close to our hearts, practicing them in our everyday lives. We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have been a member my entire life, and my husband joined the Church when we were 20 years old. It is a faith we continue to actively practice. We attend church every Sunday, and it is a visible, well-loved part of our daily life, something you would notice immediately if you spent time with our family.
Our beliefs have influenced what works best for our family, particularly when it comes to roles within our home. Traditional teachings of our faith emphasize mothers as nurturers and primary caregivers when circumstances allow. In our case, they do—and this arrangement works well for us. I know it wouldn’t work for everyone. I know families where roles are reversed, where fathers stay home and mothers work full-time, and families where both parents work full-time. None of that diminishes a parent’s ability to love or nurture their children. I even notice myself wanting to justify our choices, simply because I don’t want to offend anyone. But the truth is, it’s okay to say that traditional values work for us.
For our family, what works best is for me to be home with the kids most of the time. I do work and run my business, but on a part-time scale. I’m the one who keeps the rhythm and routine of our household, manages appointments, keeps kids on task, oversees chores, and does the majority of our homeschooling. I love it, and I wouldn’t change it. My husband is deeply involved when he’s home, but right now he’s building his business and works out of the house. He’s always supportive and willing to help, but our minds simply work differently. To keep the household running smoothly, I need to stay at the helm, and that division of labor suits us both.
I think I linger on this point because so many women today feel that being “just” a mom isn’t enough, or that wanting a traditional family structure is somehow outdated or wrong. Even at the beginning of this post, I found myself explaining and softening our choices. But it’s okay to want tradition. It’s okay to value motherhood deeply. It’s okay if that’s what brings fulfillment and purpose to your life.
Another value that shapes our home is our belief in Jesus Christ and in the way He taught and treated others. This comes up in our family daily. We try to have scripture study with our kids, and when we talk about choices, right and wrong, or difficult situations, we often ask questions like: How would the Savior treat others? How would this make someone else feel? We teach our kids that while feelings and opinions matter, there are loving and respectful ways to express them. We’re certainly not perfect. We get frustrated, we lose patience, and we fall short. But at the heart of our parenting isn’t the pursuit of perfection—it’s the hope of raising Christlike souls who want to help others, who are kind, and who notice when someone else needs support.
Our faith also shapes how we celebrate Christmas. Yes, we do stockings, presents, and all the excitement that comes with the season. The kids love Santa, and we enjoy the fun of it all, but that part is backstage. The birth of Christ is the center of our conversations. We focus heavily on giving, on service, and on teaching our children that fulfillment comes far more from helping others than from receiving.
I also know, deep in my heart, that my belief in eternal life and eternal families adds weight and meaning to the effort we’ve put into homeschooling. At the end of the day, I’m helping raise five humans to become the best versions of themselves. For our family, I believe that means homeschooling—at least for this season of life. I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I believe there are things my children need to learn that extend beyond this life. If you’re not religious or spiritual, this may not resonate, but I do believe in life after this one, and I believe we are all trying to become who God intends us to be.
I don’t claim to be a perfect influence on my children. I’m very aware of my shortcomings. But I do know this: nobody loves my children more than I do, and nobody wants better for them than I do. Because of that, I believe I am the best teacher for them. To do that well, I need them here with me. I can’t teach them if they’re gone all the time.
What I believe has undeniably shaped the lifestyle we’ve chosen. I believe family is at the core—the very purpose of why we are here. I truly can’t imagine building the family unit we have without homeschooling. It simply wouldn’t have happened. And as we reflect during this Christmas season, I’m deeply grateful for the path we chose many years ago and for the faith that continues to guide our family forward.
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