by Susan Pineda
Feb 17, 2025
[Note from the editor: In our blog series, "Homeschooling Through the Decades," we will explore the evolution of homeschooling over the years. In this second installment we draw insights from Susan Pineda and her homeschooling experience that began in 1999. As we reflect on her journey, we aim to understand how homeschooling has changed and what it means for families today. Join us as we uncover the rich history and impact of this educational choice in the state of California through the decades.]
1999. Have you seen the meme? “Forget partying like it’s 1999. I just want to grocery shop like it’s 1999!” I laughed, but then I started to think about what I was doing in 1999. That is the year we sort of “fell into” homeschooling with our little first grader and toddler. So much has changed since then! By the grace of God, both of those little educational experiments grew up, got married, and have launched into adulthood. I have stayed very involved with our local homeschool community, which I love. I have been troubled of late, though. Trying to put my finger on it … then I saw that meme and it hit me – I wish more people homeschooled like it’s 1999!
So often I meet new families who have the expectation that home education means finding classes … for EVERYTHING! This expectation is not their fault. It has been literally created in recent years. When home education began it meant, primarily, leaving the classroom for the home. As more and more families began homeschooling, let’s just say, the market responded. Now families can purchase classes for every age and subject.
Having all of these wonderful opportunities is great! Classes are amazing. I teach some for our homeschool group in my home. What is not great is to trade in one rat race for another rat race, because you think you have to. If Mom is driving multiple children to multiple expensive classes for the bulk of the learning each week, that is, in a sense, a la carte private schooling. Please hear me: I’m not saying that is a bad thing. It may be what works for some families, or what some families truly want. In your heart of hearts, though, it is important to decide what you want. Home education gives you the freedom to choose. Is there something better out there for you; something you might miss if you don’t slow down, stay at home a couple more days a week, and learn together?
When we started in 1999, the expectation was a sensible routine, predominantly at home most days, most subjects taught by mom or dad on the couch or around the kitchen table (or in the couch fort from time to time), with a field trip here, or a park day there, or perhaps a handful of moms would get together to do something fun around a history lesson or science experiment. It was an adjustment for me as a new homeschool mom to calm down, get to know my kids more deeply, and explore learning together. It was not always easy, but I assure you it provided time to work on character (theirs and mine!). God definitely used the slower-paced-at-home home education to grow and polish my family.
As the years went by and the kids grew, more and more opportunities became available. It was tempting to do too much, but it was easier for me to resist because I had already tasted a beautiful, comfortably-paced homeschool life, doing school mostly at home. It is my prayer you will discover it, too.
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Susan and her husband, Greg, began homeschooling their two children in September 1999, the month they moved to Ventura and joined the Association of Christian Home Educators of Ventura County (ACHEV). Greg and Susan have been leading ACHEV since 2016, honored to invest back into the group that faithfully nurtured them through their home education years.
