Nancey | Missouri
Nancey’s homeschooling journey began over a decade ago with Abeka, which she credits as providing a strong foundation for her two sons. Over the years, she learned to adapt the lessons to suit their unique needs. Through flexibility, persistence, and support from other homeschooling moms, she found what worked best for her family. Looking back, Nancey is grateful for not only the academic foundation but also the deep bond homeschooling created between her and her sons, now grown and starting their careers.
Over my 12+ years of homeschooling, I learned that school doesn’t always need a one-size-fits-all approach.
For instance, my son struggled with language arts, especially sentence diagramming. I remember chatting with other homeschooling moms who encouraged me to be flexible. They reminded me that I didn’t have to stick rigidly to the same curriculum for every subject. My son is a different learner, and it was okay to adapt the lessons to better suit his needs. This advice was eye-opening. I hadn’t considered that we could mix and match resources, incorporating other programs alongside Abeka.
As I grew more comfortable with the curriculum, I found that I could adjust things to better suit our style. But that initial structure allowed us to establish a solid routine that my kids could depend on. Without that roadmap, I know I wouldn’t have been able to keep their attention or engagement.
I’m so grateful for the path we chose through homeschooling and for discovering Abeka. I honestly wouldn’t have felt confident as a teacher without their support.
Abeka provided my boys with more than just an education—it gave them the tools they needed to succeed in life.
The curriculum isn’t about just skimming the surface. Instead, Abeka provides thorough, repetitive learning that ensures mastery before moving on. For example, if we were working on fractions one day, we wouldn’t just jump to a completely different math concept the next. My boys would revisit concepts from the previous year to refresh their memory, and then they would build on that foundation with new lessons. The review and reinforcement made it become second nature for my boys and helped the lessons really sink in.
In my early homeschooling days, Abeka’s lesson plans and teaching materials were a lifesaver. I didn’t know what I was doing, and I worried about how I would engage my kids in meaningful learning experiences. While I could come up with math problems or reading materials, I wanted to ensure they were learning effectively and staying on track.
Abeka’s structured lesson plans were crucial. They offered a parent guide with a sample daily schedule that outlines time for each subject, breaks, and lunch.
It’s important to remember that not every day will go perfectly, as children have different energy levels and learning styles. Abeka’s clear guidance on what to teach helped boost my confidence as a teacher.
I recommend starting with Abeka’s structure but being flexible; adjusting your day based on your children’s attentiveness is perfectly fine.
Abeka not only prepared my sons academically but also taught them life skills like discipline and time management.
For example, when they started participating in a local co-op, the structure they were accustomed to helped them thrive. They already understood the importance of getting things done in a timely manner and following a schedule. This smoothed the transition into a more structured, group learning environment because they were familiar with the discipline required to complete assignments and show up prepared.
One of Abeka's most valuable aspects is its ability to instill responsibility and integrity, which I’ve seen reflected in my sons' decision-making.
Now that my oldest is in college, I see how the foundation laid by Abeka continues to benefit him, particularly in his challenging biology class that requires self-directed learning. He knows how to push through frustrations with perseverance and problem-solving.
Even for my son who isn’t as academically inclined, the lessons learned from Abeka on responsibility and integrity have been invaluable, shaping him into someone who can apply these life skills regardless of his career path.
I don't think most parents consider where their children will be as teenagers when they're young. I never thought about it, either.
Had I not been able to homeschool, I would have constantly battled external influences during their formative years. This bond I have with my children is real. Because of homeschooling, I have a child who understands the importance of honesty.
I tell him, "Just tell me the truth, and I promise we’ll get through it."
I always heard horror stories about teenage life, but thankfully, we did not experience those challenges. My sons are incredibly different from many of the young men their age. Our youngest son, at 16, volunteers at our church with the men's group, helping set up and fix things, and he has integrated beautifully into the youth group. He’s even bringing his baseball buddies—who may not share our values—to church, reaching out and inviting them to join us. If one of his friends can’t make it to the later service, he’ll say, “Well, let’s go to the early service,” and will attend both just to be there for his friends.
Reflecting on my journey as a homeschool mom, the most rewarding thing has been witnessing how my kids have turned out. My oldest son is getting married and has moved out to live with friends, which is a natural step for him. It hurts, of course, but I find solace in knowing that the bonding time we shared while homeschooling made a world of difference. It’s been a joy to see them grow, and I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have done it any other way.
Abeka has empowered me as a parent and educator, ensuring that my children are not only lifelong learners but also grounded in the principles that matter most to us.
It’s provided an education that has prepared my children to face the world. I can confidently—and sadly—let them go live life on their own, secure in the knowledge that if they truly put their mind to things, I know they’ll be fine.