Some people equate homeschooling to having a classroom set-up at home — a dedicated room complete with all the learning materials, a proper table and set of chairs, and an expensive curriculum. While those things are nice to have and definitely Instagram-worthy, it does not define the whole idea of homeschooling. Educating your children at home does not mean that you need to recreate a traditional classroom setup. The beauty of homeschooling is that you can learn with your children anytime and anywhere — at your children’s unique pace and the method that best suits your family’s lifestyle.

I am a homeschooling mom of two. I started homeschooling my firstborn when he was three years old. Recently, his little sister started joining our classes, too. She thinks that his big brother and I are having fun and she doesn’t want to be left out. If I were to describe our homeschooling life, I would say that it’s comparable to a rollercoaster ride. There are highs and lows as well as smiles and tears. But, just like that exhilarating theme park ride, I don’t regret homeschooling my children; I would do this over and over again. On that note, I would like to share with you the hows and whys of our homeschooling journey.

Disclaimer: Before our trip, I have ensured that it is safe for us, especially for our children, to visit the farm. I have researched and made sure that we are not breaking any law. I have also asked the staff about their safety protocols. We visited the farm on December 18, 2020 and we were all wearing face masks and face shields and practicing social distancing.

After 9 months of staying indoors, our children were so ecstatic to finally go outdoors. What better way to do it than spend a day with animals and enjoy nature? And so, my husband and I decided to go to Yoki’s Farm to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Finally, my kids would be free to explore and have fun!

After months of being postponed due to storms, the Dengue epidemic, and my husband’s schedule, we finally made it to Avilon Zoo last October 31 and we can say that it was all worth the wait and the long drive. It’s a family field trip, nature walk, up close animal encounters, and a 4-hour hike rolled into one. It’s our greatest family adventure to date! The zoo houses more animals than we expected — a mix of native-born animals and exotic wildlife.

I signed up my son for the Kids Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) Clinic facilitated by Coach Derick Urbano and his daughter, Jersey Urbano at Decathlon Alabang yesterday, November 10. It was a first for my kid to participate in a sports activity, and though it tested his stamina, we could tell that he had a good time. Even our little girl joined in during the briefing and warm-up exercises. My husband and I made the right decision to try this activity out. Both of our kids had fun! Check out the video below to get a glimpse of this amazing OCR training for kids.