It’s a crisp Monday morning, and the autumn air is cool against my skin, carrying the earthy scent of fallen leaves as we stroll down the sandy dirt path. Above us, the trees are slowly shifting. My daughter skips ahead, her little feet leaving soft prints in the dust.

She stops, as always, at her favorite spot: a fallen log blanketed in moss. “Moss!” she exclaims, bending down to pet her familiar friend. It’s her ritual, pausing here every time we pass. Moss, tiny mushrooms, moth wings, a single dew drop on a spider web. Her attention to these small bits of nature, often overlooked, remind me of why we chose this slower, more intentional way of life.

Today, we’re walking to school, though it’s not what most people might imagine. Our school is nestled deep within the forest, where homeschooling and forest schooling blend together. The essential subjects unfold alongside hands on projects, exploration, and a deep connection to the earth.

My son’s day will be spent not only in books but also among the trees, learning through the wonders of the natural world.

As we walk, I reflect on how this journey mirrors our homeschooling path – a journey that began with deschooling. In the early days, we stepped away from the rigidity of traditional academics, giving ourselves space to unlearn old structures and embrace something more free.

Deschooling wasn’t about abandoning learning but rediscovering it. We began to see education not as something confined within four walls or a curriculum but as something living and woven into our everyday lives. Learning is everywhere – in the way a seed grows into a flower or in the way numbers guide us when measuring ingredients for dinner.

Even as we embraced this slower, more natural approach, the basic subjects remained in our days, but never as a matter of memorization or robotic repetition. Instead, they came alive in the world around us. We measured, observed, and explored. Not just to learn, but because we genuinely love learning. Our hope has always been to model this joy of learning, to show our children that it’s not about mastering facts but about nurturing curiosity and wonder for the world.

Over time, we found our rhythm. A rhythm that flowed like the changing seasons, natural and unhurried. Some days were spent deep in books and projects, while others were filled with outdoor adventures, art, or moments of reflection. This balance of structure and freedom became the foundation of our homeschooling life.

Now, our journey has brought us here, to a place where community and education are intertwined. My son still learns through curiosity and exploration, but now, he does so surrounded by friends who share this path. His learning has become collaborative – rich with connection, projects, and discovery.

Community has become such a huge part of our homeschooling life. While we treasure the freedom that comes with learning at home, the sense of belonging that comes from sharing this journey with others has been a true gift. Together, we create a space where our children can grow at their own pace.

As we near the school, nestled among the trees, I watch my son run ahead, excited to join his friends. His laughter mingles with the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze, and in this moment, I realize how beautiful it is that the forest holds us, guiding us through these days of learning, growing, and connecting. With every step, I’m reminded that this is exactly where we’re meant to be – walking through the woods, raising children wild and free, held by the land, and always, always learning.