School Choice Series: Homeschool to Private School with Kris Habashy :: [Ep 559]

The podcast host, Heather McFadden, introduces her three-part 'School Choice Series' by sharing her personal journey of faith, her passion for learning, and her desire to walk alongside moms navigating educational decisions for their children. She emphasizes the importance of trusting God's sovereignty in these choices and highlights that the series aims to share diverse personal stories to offer encouragement and perspective. Heather also briefly mentions upcoming episodes and the goal of fostering a community rooted in faith and non-judgmental support.

Kris shares her family's experience with homeschooling, private Christian schooling, and the transitions involved. She starts with her children’s ages—18, 20, and 22—and recounts homeschooling her youngest through third grade, especially after discovering her dyslexia. Kris explains that her love for guiding their learning made homeschooling fulfilling but ultimately her desire to provide her children with classroom environments suited to their needs led to them attending private Christian school. She discusses the emotional challenge of separation during these transitions, managing different personalities and social needs, and trusting God through every step. Her children’s college experience and the lessons they've learned—particularly how to learn and think critically—are emphasized as valuable outcomes. Kris stresses that the focus on who the kids are becoming, rather than the choices made, is what ultimately matters.

Kris discusses how she made decisions about homeschooling and private schooling, highlighting that her choices were rooted in her family’s specific needs and God's guidance. She recognizes that each family's situation is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Kris advocates for moms to develop their own interests and identity outside of their children's education, which cultivates healthier relationships and provides resilience through challenges. She talks about the emotional costs involved—financial, relational, and time—especially the difficulty of transitioning out of homeschooling and adjusting to new social environments. Kris also shares her ongoing wrestling with these decisions, particularly when children consider switching schools or facing social pressures, emphasizing the importance of parental leadership and trusting God's plan.

A core message Kris conveys is the significance of knowing one’s true identity in Christ—drawing from Jamie Winship’s teachings—believing that our value and purpose come from God rather than performance or social ranking. She encourages moms to walk in confidence of their calling and to rely on God’s strength, especially during decision-making and life’s uncertainties. Kris also discusses her current work coaching adults on executive functions, which ties back to her faith-based approach to growth, self-regulation, and trusting God's sovereignty in her journey. The importance of community, encouragement, and a faith-centered perspective in parenting and education choices is a recurring theme.

Throughout the episode, Kris offers practical wisdom: trust that there is no perfect school, focus on who your children are becoming, and seek God's guidance rather than trying to control every aspect of their education. She emphasizes that unhealthy comparisons and hierarchical notions of school choices are misleading, and instead, parents should ask God what’s best for their unique family situation. She encourages moms to pursue their personal passions, maintain their identity in Christ, and view education as just one part of God’s bigger purpose for their children. Heather and Kris conclude with prayers for discernment, community support, and peace in parental decisions, empowering listeners to lean into God’s sovereignty with confidence.