by Natalie Mack
Apr 21, 2025
[Editor’s Note: CHEA is here to support our beloved military community throughout the state. This week’s blog is an excerpt from an article by our partner, Natalie Mack, who will also be part of our online High School Webinar later this year. As part of our effort to support our military families, we offer a discount on many of our events, including the upcoming Parenting & Homeschool Convention.] As a recently retired U.S. Navy chaplain’s spouse, veteran homeschooler of twenty-three years, and proud mom of five, I’ve navigated the complex and rewarding world of military life and homeschooling. With thirty-four years of military service alongside my dear husband and thirty-five years of marriage, my journey has been deeply intertwined with the values and experiences that come with military service and family life. In my TEDx talk, The Impact of Homeschooling, I shared how homeschooling can provide a stabilizing force amid the constant changes of military life. Homeschooling within the military lifestyle allowed us to not only survive but to thrive, blooming wherever we were planted. In this first issue [of my new column "Military Homeschooling: Navigating the Journey" in The Old Schoolhouse], we’ll explore a topic that’s vital for any military homeschooler: On the Move Again Frequent relocations known as PCS can make it challenging to maintain a consistent educational environment; but with a few strategic adjustments, you can provide your children with a sense of stability and continuity. Setting Up a New Homeschool Space One of the most crucial aspects of homeschooling as a military family is creating a new homeschool space every two to three years. Our first military move as a homeschooling family was just a few weeks after 9-11. We reentered military life and downsized from our home in the suburbs of Maryland to on-post housing in sunny California. In most cases, base housing will be smaller than off-post housing. From one duty station to the next, you have no idea what style or size your next home will be. Because of these variations, here are some practical tips to make the adjustment a bit easier: With a few strategic adjustments, you can provide your children with a sense of stability and continuity. Portable Supplies: Invest in durable, portable storage solutions for your educational materials. Use bins or rolling carts to keep supplies organized and easy to transport. When it was time to relocate again, many Rubbermaid containers were used to store our beloved read-aloud books. Purchase sturdy bookshelves: Over the years, I tried to save money by purchasing easy to assemble bookshelves. Many a move, late at night, my dear husband would be busy assembling. As our sons became old enough, they often assisted with the assembly. But, those bookshelves did not survive too many relocations. Designated Learning Spaces: Some homeschoolers prefer setting up a traditional classroom with posters and school desks. Others prefer using the kitchen table as the working center of their school. When we arrived at Camp Pendleton for that first homeschool relocation, we moved into older officer housing in O’Neill. We used part of our laundry room for book storage and our dining room table (the only table we had space for) as our working spot. We had to clear everything off in order to have a place to eat. As much as I loved our little close housing community, when our oldest son, a preschooler, got sick from mold in that old house, I was super grateful to be relocated to San Onofre, a newly renovated housing area on Camp Pendleton. It goes without saying that Dad had, of course, just deployed to Iraq. Military spouses anticipate these unfortunate and stressful events—something breaks down or someone gets sick just as the sponsor departs for the unknown. We are resilient to push through and support each other to survive. The almost-like-new house in San Onofre provided a beautiful glimpse of the Pacific Ocean from one bedroom window. I loved looking through that window and being thankful for our freshly painted home. This house meant we now had space for a kitchen table. The whole family excitedly loaded up in the minivan to go kitchen table shopping. The kids knew this would also be their new school location, and I enjoyed many sessions of planning for the new school year at that table. I look forward to you sharing your experiences of being "on the move again." Email me your military homeschooling experience: hello@natalie-mack.com. Thank you for welcoming me into your lives. Here’s to embracing the adventure of military homeschooling with resilience and enthusiasm! _____________________________________________________ Natalie Mack is an author, TEDx speaker, and veteran military home educator. Natalie earned her BA in political science and Spanish and her master’s in education. A mom of four homeschool graduates and a homeschooled senior, she is also a newly retired navy chaplain’s spouse after serving alongside her husband for thirty-four years. She owns Natalie Mack, LLC, (natalie-mack.com) a homeschool consultation service, and is the founder of Military Homeschoolers Association (militaryhomeschoolers.org) and the podcast Base2Base Military Homeschooling. Natalie serves as the Military Community Outreach Coordinator for HSLDA and is the author of 101 Tips for Homeschoolers and numerous magazine articles. Copyright 2024, The Old Schoolhouse®. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the Author. Full article originally appeared in the Winter 2024/2025 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the trade publication for homeschool moms. Read The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine free at www.TOSMagazine.com, or download the free reader apps at www.TOSApps.com for mobile devices. Read the STORY of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine and how it came to be.
