Julie was only 9 years old when she started hearing some strange questions while delivering newspapers in a coastal community in British Columbia, Canada. She would often be asked by an elderly man why she was “playing hooky” during school hours, to which she would explain that she was actually receiving homeschooling. Despite her explanations, the man seemed unable to accept this answer, leaving Julie feeling uncomfortable and wanting to avoid further questioning.
Now 37 years old and a mother of five, Julie, along with her 36-year-old husband Andrew, homeschool their own children in Ontario. While their unconventional approach to education may raise eyebrows for some, it has paved the way for new opportunities, such as Julie’s YouTube channel titled “Mama to Five,” where she shares insights into their daily learning routines, grocery shopping, textbooks, recipes, cooking, and travel logistics.
Julie emphasizes that homeschooling allows them to pass on their Christian faith, a fundamental aspect of their upbringing that has guided their decision to educate their children at home. Their church community played an integral role in their lives, where they first met and where Julie’s continuous prayers and desires for their children to live according to “the life submissive to the Savior” motivated their homeschooling commitment.
Finding her own homeschooling experience positive, Julie was drawn to the idea of unconventional learning activities with her children. She has been educating her three sons and two daughters at home for 10 years now, expressing her satisfaction with the path they have chosen to walk alongside their children.
Homeschooling also serves as a platform for protecting their children from negative societal influences, including peer pressure, curricula conflicting with their Christian beliefs, and prevalent issues such as drugs, bullying, woke ideologies, and societal pressures.
Despite facing skepticism, Julie remains resilient in her homeschooling journey. Over the years, she has honed her confidence in responding to doubters, turning these challenges into opportunities for educating others about the benefits of homeschooling.
In 2023, the family embarked on a month-long road trip across Canada to the west coast, then southwards crossing the U.S. border, before returning to Ontario. Packed with essentials including the Bible, iPads, and books, the family of seven traveled in an RV, exploring mountains, the Pacific coast, Rushmore Mountain, deserts, and various other locations on an educational and adventurous journey.
Their travels included experiencing the natural beauty of the Rockies, Pacific Ocean, Rushmore Mountain, deserts, and many other places. To add a spiritual element to their trip, they visited a visual theater in Branson, Missouri, to watch onstage Bible stories and attended a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game before indulging in Texas barbecue in Fort Worth.
Reflecting on their decade-long homeschooling journey, Julie expressed their commitment to providing a comprehensive education for their children, preparing them for whatever path they choose in the future. Central to their teachings is instilling a deep understanding of God and the Bible, regularly attending church, singing gospel songs, and prayer, with God at the heart of their family life.