My mom didn’t like that I’m homeschooling my daughter. Now that she has seen the benefits, she’s helping me teach.
In a heartwarming narrative, Tiffany Tuttle shares her journey into homeschooling her daughter, a decision that initially met with skepticism from her mother. Growing up in a household where her mother dedicated herself to building a successful business while emphasizing the importance of education, Tuttle was inspired to create a personalized learning experience for her own child. With a bachelor’s degree under her belt and a desire to foster her daughter’s natural curiosity, Tuttle embraced homeschooling for its flexibility and opportunity to tailor lessons to her daughter’s strengths. However, her mother was apprehensive, fearing that Tuttle’s daughter might miss out on social interaction and the structure of traditional schooling, reflecting the common stigma surrounding homeschooled children in the ’90s.
As Tuttle began to introduce academic concepts at home, her mother gradually became more involved, witnessing firsthand the creative and engaging learning environment Tuttle was nurturing. What started as a reluctant acceptance evolved into active participation, with Tuttle’s mother taking on the role of a second teacher. The transformation was significant; Tuttle recalls a moment when she found her mother enthusiastically organizing learning materials on the dinner table, evoking nostalgia for the reading sessions they shared during Tuttle’s childhood. This shift not only strengthened their bond but also allowed three generations of women to come together in a shared educational experience. Tuttle’s mother, once skeptical, now contributes her love of learning and stories from her own childhood, enriching her granddaughter’s education.
Ultimately, Tuttle’s decision to homeschool has woven a tapestry of family connection, bridging past and present educational values. Through this collaborative effort, they have created a unique and enriching learning journey that honors both Tuttle’s mother’s dedication to education and her own desire to foster a love for learning in her daughter. This unexpected partnership has transformed their views on education, showcasing how homeschooling can serve as a powerful tool for family bonding and intergenerational learning. As they navigate lessons together, they not only impart knowledge but also create lasting memories, proving that education can flourish in many forms.
The author’s mother helps with homeschooling.
Courtesy of Tiffany Tuttle
I decided to homeschool my daughter so we could individualize her education.
My mom was skeptical of homeschooling and feared that my daughter would fall behind.
Eventually, my mother joined in and became her second teacher, sparking a unique education.
My mom started her business when I was a toddler — over 30 years ago. I was by her side as she built it from the ground up. I still remember putting two of her office chairs together as a makeshift bed so I could nap to the sound of dot-matrix printers running and calculator buttons clicking.
She worked long days and even longer nights. Through all the obstacles, her persistence was dedicated to one purpose:
providing a better education
for her children.
I carried that dream forward, studied to earn my
bachelor’s degree
, and made her proud. But when I decided to homeschool my own daughter, my mother didn’t support me — at first.
My mother didn’t understand homeschooling
When I became a mom, I felt drawn to
explore homeschooling
for the freedom and flexibility it offered. I loved the option of tailoring my daughter’s education to her natural strengths and allowing her to learn through real-life experiences, rather than just relying on textbooks. As we geared up for kindergarten at home, I wasn’t in a hurry to follow any formula or rigid structure. I gave her space to spark curiosity and ease into learning.
The news didn’t land too well with my mom. She was used to the
public school system
being the standard. Flexibility seemed like an unnecessary risk.
When I was growing up in the ’90s, there was a stigma about
homeschooled kids
being weird, unfriendly, and unable to adapt to society. My mom feared the same fate for my outgoing and bright five-year-old.
The author as a kid in her mother’s office.
Courtesy of Tiffany Tuttle
Still, I began introducing academic concepts all summer, often while my mom was nearby in the kitchen. She slowly realized it wasn’t as outlandish as she had imagined.
I tried a mix of methods. Some days, my daughter learned through self-paced
online classes
; other days, I turned daily tasks like cooking and organizing into teaching opportunities.
Before I knew it, my mom started making her way closer to the dinner table to sit in on the lessons.
A few weeks in, she volunteered to take over some lessons in reading, spelling, and math.
My mom soon became the second teacher for my daughter
One day, I walked in to find my mom had organized a spread of learning materials on the
dinner table
: phonics flashcards, a whiteboard, pencils, and animal cookies.
I got to sit back and relive the days when my mom taught me to read, which opened my mind to the wonder of creativity and learning. I attribute my curiosity to those times we read books like “Are You My Mother?” in bed, until I was able to read it to her.
Now, decades later, the three of us sit at the table together. I realize what a privilege it is. My mom, on one side, is reviving silly parts of herself that had been buried under the demands of responsibility. My daughter, on the other side, is eagerly clapping to syllables, sounding out new words she sees, and dancing with each sentence she reads. Together, we get to revisit memories and create new ones.
Homeschooling became the thread that connected three generations
Homeschooling has given my daughter and me the chance to hear stories from my mom’s childhood in the 1950s in
South Texas
. The reward is tenfold; we relive those moments with her as she remembers the impact her teachers had on her life. We giggle through her stories of learning.
Having my mom help me on our homeschool journey has been an unexpected blessing. We tag-team on the days my schedule is full, and my daughter gets to benefit from different teaching styles.
My choice to homeschool bridged the strong work ethic and values of the past with today’s modern approach to learning.
What began as clashing ideals has turned into a family bonding experience. My mom gets to pass on her love of learning to my daughter, and I get to watch her hard work come full circle, one phonics lesson and animal cookie at a time.
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Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering Business news.
