I homeschooled my kids for over 20 years—and they’re all adults now.
There was no ChatGPT. No Gemini. No AI tutors quietly waiting in a browser tab.
We did it the old-fashioned way.
We lived in libraries. We printed articles. We bookmarked websites. We used Google like detectives, sorting through page after page of information. Sometimes we waited weeks for a book to arrive through interlibrary loan. And often, the best learning came from asking older generations—grandparents, neighbors, museum guides—people who had lived what my kids were trying to understand.
Homeschooling worked beautifully without AI.
But I’ll be honest:
If I had access to AI back then, it would have made life so much easier.
Not because it would have replaced learning—but because it would have supported it.
Why AI Feels New (Even to Experienced Parents)
AI is very new to me. I didn’t raise my kids with it, and I understand why parents today feel cautious. When you’ve spent decades teaching kids how to think for themselves, the idea of a tool that “gives answers” can feel uncomfortable.
But here’s what my experience has taught me:
The tool doesn’t determine the outcome—the mindset does.
We didn’t use libraries as shortcuts.
We didn’t use Google to avoid thinking.
We used them to explore, question, and dig deeper.
AI can be used the exact same way.
How I’d Reframe AI for Kids Today
If I were homeschooling now, I would introduce ChatGPT like this:
“This is not something that thinks for you.
It’s something that helps you think with more support.”
AI isn’t replacing effort—it’s replacing friction.
Back then, when a child asked a question, I might say:
-
“Let’s go to the library tomorrow.”
-
“Let’s look it up and compare sources.”
-
“Let’s ask someone who knows.”
AI simply makes that process faster and more flexible—especially for busy parents.
What 20+ Years of Homeschooling Taught Me About Learning
After decades of teaching kids without AI, here’s what I know for sure:
Kids learn best when they:
-
Feel safe asking questions
-
Can explore interests deeply
-
Break big ideas into manageable steps
-
Feel ownership over their learning
AI—used intentionally—supports all four.
That’s why I don’t see ChatGPT as a shortcut.
I see it as a learning buddy I wish I had years ago.
How We Would’ve Used ChatGPT (If It Existed Back Then)
1. Brainstorming, Not Writing
Instead of:
“Write my report.”
We would’ve used:
“Help me come up with ideas and questions about this topic.”
The child still does the thinking and writing—AI just helps them get unstuck.
2. Faster Research, Better Conversations
In the past, we compared:
-
Books
-
Articles
-
First-hand advice
AI can now:
-
Summarize multiple perspectives
-
Suggest follow-up questions
-
Spark curiosity for deeper research
It doesn’t replace verification—it speeds up exploration.
3. Support for Parents Who Feel Overwhelmed
Let’s be honest: homeschooling and parenting are demanding.
AI can help parents:
-
Explain concepts at different grade levels
-
Suggest project ideas
-
Turn interests into learning plans
That alone would have saved me countless hours.
Copy-and-Paste AI Prompts for Parents
These prompts reflect how I taught my kids—just with modern support.
Curiosity Prompt
“Explain [topic] to a [child’s age] using everyday examples. Ask them questions instead of giving all the answers.”
Critical Thinking Prompt
“Ask my child thoughtful questions that help them form their own opinion about [topic].”
Project-Based Learning Prompt
“Help my child design a hands-on project about [interest] using materials we already have at home.”
Reflection Prompt
“Help my child reflect on what they learned today by asking open-ended questions.”
Goal-Setting Prompt
“Help turn my child’s learning goal into small, encouraging steps written in kid-friendly language.”
Creating a Fun AI-Assisted Goal Sheet (Free Canva Guide)
This is something I wish I had while homeschooling.
Step 1: Choose a Free Canva Template
-
Go to Canva.com
-
Search: Kids Goal Sheet or Student Planner
-
Filter → Free
-
Pick a colorful, simple design
Step 2: Talk First, Type Second
Before using AI, ask your child:
-
What do you want to learn?
-
Why does it matter to you?
-
What feels hard right now?
Their words matter more than perfect phrasing.
Step 3: Use ChatGPT to Break the Goal Down
Copy and paste:
“Help break this child’s goal into 3–5 simple, encouraging steps they can work on weekly: [paste goal]”
Let your child approve or change each step.
Step 4: Customize the Goal Sheet
Add:
-
The goal (in your child’s words)
-
Weekly steps
-
A progress tracker (stars, checkmarks, stickers)
-
A reflection box: What did I enjoy or struggle with this week?
Step 5: Display It Proudly
We would’ve put ours on the fridge—progress visible, pressure low.
Healthy AI Boundaries I’d Still Enforce
Even with AI, some rules never change:
-
AI supports learning—it doesn’t replace it
-
Parents stay involved
-
Kids question and verify information
-
Creativity always belongs to the child
These are the same values we used before AI existed.
Final Thoughts from a Veteran Homeschool Parent
I successfully homeschooled my kids without AI—and I’m proud of that.
But if today’s parents can:
-
Save time
-
Reduce stress
-
Support curiosity
-
Avoid expensive curriculum
…while still teaching kids to think independently?
That’s not cheating.
That’s evolving.
AI doesn’t replace good parenting or good teaching—it amplifies it when used with intention. And if I were starting again today, I’d absolutely welcome it as a learning buddy.
