Jamie’s (FINAL) homeschool day in the life (with a 17-, 18-, & 19-year-old) ~
Written by Jamie C. Martin in 2023, published in 2025
A note from Jamie: In January 2023 I wrote this draft, but never published it. That’s because my son Jonathan and I also recorded a homeschool day in the life podcast episode at the same time, and I didn’t have time to finish both.
Now, as a retired homeschool mom, I do! 🙂 So enjoy this never-before-seen time capsule of Martin family homeschool history, a snapshot of our final year of official homeschool life from two years ago and my final homeschool day in the life post here on SH, having joined in all 15 years! xo, Jamie
Jamie’s FINAL homeschool day in the life (with a 17-, 18-, & 19-year-old)
My how the days have changed. Yet some things stay the same.
I can’t believe that I have two homeschool graduates and my “official” days of homeschooling are nearing their end. (2025 update: Um, they ended! 😉 )
I have found that having three kids so close in age brings a different pressure to this phase of life.
It comes from helping kids launch into their next season, even as I try to figure out what my next season might be. (2025 update: Still figuring that out lol!)
Our Current Morning Rhythm
In the morning, we gather around the breakfast table with whoever happens to be home.
Instead of reading Little House or Narnia, as we once did, I now read from a devotional or Guideposts magazine, which features short, inspirational stories.
We pray together, then whoever is at home has chores to do. Next I often find myself in the van driving someone to a part-time job or volunteer opportunity. (Our two special needs teens are unable to drive.)
Finding ways to create a meaningful life for all of us is my priority for this next phase. And in that regard, it’s not all that different from our homeschool days five or 10 years ago.
If Elijah (17) is at home, we will sit down to do lessons (reading & math) together. I have been teaching this child to read for ten years now and we have not reached fluency yet. To say this has been discouraging would be an understatement.
Now we’re beginning to focus on assistive technologies to help fill in the gaps, even as we also look into our public school transitions program, which would give him services until age 22. (2025 update: This has been the biggest blessing and best fit for his past two years!)
I continue to be grateful for the holistic view of education homeschooling gave us from the very beginning -even before having a clear picture of my kids’ special needs.
We always emphasized that each child should learn at his or her own pace. That each person has strengths and weaknesses. That life is about developing your potential while leaning on others’ support in areas where you need it.
Because of this approach, I know that all of my children are in a stronger position than they would have been in the traditional school system. Their self concept and their mental/emotional health has been as much a focus as their academic development.
I once assumed that after my kids had graduated, I would have hours of extra time. (Stop laughing!)
But the time I used to devote to homeschooling I now use to help kids research and fill out job applications, prep for interviews, apply to college, and fill out the piles of paperwork that result when you are the main educator of your children.
Time Out for Me
I’m so glad that no matter what stage my kids have been in, I have always taken daily time out to read, reflect, or journal. I’m grateful for the veteran homeschool moms who encouraged me to do this even when my kids were younger.
This often looks like sitting in front of the woodstove in the winter, having to remind a child or two that I want to talk to them…but not right now.
Sometimes, if all else fails, I still can be found closing myself in the bathroom or bedroom for a few moments of quiet. (One of the things that never seems to change!)
Guardian of the Books
I pride myself in being “guardian of the books,” even to my now young adults. I can often be found researching an engaging title while also encouraging them to find inspiring books for themselves.
Jonathan and I still do our Chapter a day Book Club, which gives us a connection point even when he is out of town as he has been on his gap year. He spent ten days solo in Los Angeles working on a lighting project and has another trip lined up.
It thrilled my heart around the Thanksgiving table when he shared that homeschooling has given him a unique perspective and the ability to develop his technical skills to a high level of expertise.
All three of my kids are currently employed! It’s been fun to see them find their way to first jobs that I know they will remember forever and to see them thriving and being challenged in their own unique ways.
It’s a thrill (and also stretching to my heart) to find new ways to support them as they take these steps of independence.
We continue to have expectations for those of us who spend a day at home, including helping around the house, cooking, reading, having some version of Bible/devotional time, as well as getting outside.
Taking walks with my older teens is a regular occurrence and also a lovely time to listen to their thoughts, ask questions, and hear their hearts.
As a family with one biological child, two internationally adopted children with special needs, and four nationalities represented among us, we’re definitely not the typical homeschool family.
Yet that’s part of the reason why we chose it. I am glad that at least so far, all three of the kids remain grateful for their education and feel that homeschooling has been the best fit for them. (2025 update: They still do!)
My only regret looking back: I wish I would not have worried quite so much.
Looking back to that mom I was 10 years ago, I wish I could wrap my arms around her and tell her that even though great challenges lie ahead, it’s going to be okay.
Today, it’s my role to believe that will also be true for the next 10 years.
I know with God’s faithfulness, it will be.
Check out ALL of Jamie’s Homeschool Days:
- 2011: Jamie’s homeschool day in the life with a 5, 6, & 7-year-old (UPDATED in 2024)
- 2012: Jamie’s homeschool day in the life with a 6, 7, & 8-year-old (UPDATED in 2024)
- 2013: Jamie’s homeschool day in the life with a 7, 8, & 9-year-old (UPDATED in 2024)
- 2014: My homeschool day with an 8, 9, & 10-year-old
- 2015: My homeschool day with a 9, 10, & 11-year-old
- 2016: My homeschool day with a 10, 11, & 12-year-old
- 2017: My homeschool day with a 11, 12, & 13-year-old
- 2018: My homeschool day with a 12, 13, & 14-year-old
- 2019: My homeschool day with a 13, 14, & 15-year-old
- 2020: My homeschool day with a 14, 15, & 16-year-old
- 2021: My homeschool day with a 15, 16, & 17-year-old
- 2022: My homeschool day with a 16, 17, & 18-year-old
- 2023: My final homeschool day with a 17, 18, & 19-year-old
- Homeschool Day in the Life podcast episode #103
What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!
Kari’s Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 4-, 6-, 15-, and 18-year-old)