What Makes Homeschool Families Thrive: 5 Lessons from 15 Years of Teach Them Diligently

Fifteen years. Thousands of families. Countless stories of God’s faithfulness.

As Teach Them Diligently celebrates 15 years of encouraging homeschool families, one thing stands out: there’s no single “perfect” way to homeschool — but there are patterns we’ve seen in families who flourish year after year.

From coast to coast, through changing seasons and different methods, certain habits and heart-postures make all the difference. Here’s what we’ve learned from walking alongside these families for a decade and a half.

1. Thriving Families Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

The most successful homeschool families don’t lose sight of why they began in the 

first place. They see homeschooling as more than an academic choice — it’s a discipleship decision.

Whether they use classical, Charlotte Mason, or eclectic methods, their focus stays on shepherding hearts, not just filling minds. When parents lead with that eternal perspective, the entire atmosphere of learning changes.

2. They Learn Together

Homeschooling gives families a unique opportunity to learn side-by-side. Over the years, we’ve watched families grow closer simply by sharing wonder.

Whether it’s standing together in awe of God’s creation, walking through history at a living museum, or reading a good story aloud, those shared experiences become the backbone of family discipleship and excellent education.

At Teach Them Diligently events, you can see this in real time — parents and children learning, laughing, and worshiping together. It’s one of the most beautiful parts of what we do.

3. They Don’t Walk Alone

Homeschooling can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Families who thrive make it a point to find community — people who understand the journey, share wisdom, and speak life into each other. 

God created us to live in community with one another. That’s why we built the TTD365 community, a year-round gathering place for homeschool parents who want to stay encouraged long after the convention ends.   (That’s also where you can access all the recordings from our events!)

Time and again, families tell us that finding community gave them the perseverance they needed to keep going.

4. They Strengthen Their Marriage

We’ve learned that when mom and dad are unified, the whole family feels the difference.

Marriage and family ministry have always been at the heart of Teach Them Diligently, because strong marriages create strong families.

Many couples tell us that attending together gave them a fresh vision — not just for homeschooling, but for life. One weekend of intentional time can renew your mission and your joy.

5. They Embrace Truth, Goodness, and Beauty

The families who stay inspired don’t reduce homeschooling to checklists and deadlines. They bring beauty into their homes through Scripture, stories, art, and nature.

When you fill your homeschool with things that point to the Creator, you cultivate a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. That’s what we’ve seen year after year — a generation of students growing up curious, creative, and deeply grounded in faith.