Homeschool Mom Spotlight #1

Introducing Hannah Vazquez

Photo by Stephanie Harvey on Unsplash

We’re starting something new here at Patterns for Life: every month we will be highlighting an individual homeschool mom through a written interview in order to encourage and inspire our readers. We know it can be helpful to meet — whether virtually or in real life — other mothers who are in the trenches with us here and now, and can relate to our daily struggles and joys.

We are very pleased to begin our series with Hannah E. Vazquez, who writes and podcasts at All These Things (and is Lisa’s sister-in-law). Enjoy getting to know a bit about Hannah and be sure to check out her substack!

---

1. Tell us about yourself and your family

My name is Hannah Vazquez. My husband and I have been married for 17 years and have five children ages 14-4. After our fifth was born in 2020, we moved so my husband could study at St. Vladimir's Seminary. He was ordained and assigned to a parish in 2023. We currently live in upstate New York. I love homemaking, reading, and flowers. I'm the creator of the All These Things podcast, Substack, and blog. 

2. How long have you been homeschooling and what motivated you to start in the first place?

We've homeschooled since our oldest was five which means we're in our 9th year. 

I studied special education in college and didn't like what I saw in the public schools. During that time I had a conversation with a woman who had homeschooled her children (some of whom I was friends with) and she shared how she loved learning alongside her children. I was feeling the lack of my public education.  My mom homeschooled my sister, whom they adopted when I was 20. I was seeing arrows from all around and it felt like the right thing. When my husband and I started dating, we both liked the idea and it was pretty much decided after one conversation. 

3. Describe a typical homeschool day in your home.

I wake the kids up around 7:00 and we all do a few chores and eat breakfast. At 8:00 we say prayers and then have about 45 minutes of morning time. My older two start their independent work. I take a 15-20 minutes break and then do lessons with my 3rd grader. When I'm done with her, I do lessons with my 1st grader. On Tuesday and Thursday, my older two go to a drop-off co-op where they have classes that cover most of their subjects. My husband takes them. He picks them up on Tuesday. On Thursday, the younger three and I go to co-op in the afternoon and we all come home together afterwards.  Fridays are lighter in that we have a longer morning time with different materials, play some games, and end things earlier. 

This is how things are now, but the schedule is often shifting one way or another!

4. What is your favorite part of homeschooling?

Reading to my children is my favorite part! I also love it when I see them making connections in what we're learning. It's amazing and humbling to be apart of that. 

5. Does homeschooling affect the way you parent? If so, how?

Homeschooling adds layers to my parenting.  It gives us more connections with each other since we're often reading the same things. But it also adds a layer of difficulty. Instead of just being their mother, I'm also their teacher. But because I am their mother, there's a gap in respect sometimes — on both sides — that can add challenging emotions when things are frustrating for them or they don't want to do what I ask. 

6. What is your least favorite part of homeschooling?

In general, my least favorite part is that it's a whole aspect of planning and implementing that requires my time and energy that I'd prefer to use in other areas. Because homeschooling is not something I am inclined to in and of itself, but something I do out of the belief that it's what's best for my children, it doesn't interest me like maybe it does other mothers. So in general, it's taxing and draining for me, but with God's help, I still find joy in it. 

7. What have you found to be the most humbling aspect of parenting/homeschooling?

Realizing how little patience I have has been very humbling. Whether it's a child's bad attitude, lack of understanding (even when trying), or goofing around, I often find myself frustrated and impatient. 

8. Looking back to the beginning of your homeschool journey, what are some things you wish you had known? What would you tell your younger self as she was just starting out?

I wish I had focused more on creating a culture of learning and loving rather than focusing on checking of the boxes and finishing the books. I would tell myself that building relationships and modeling healthy ways of interacting are more important than getting things done. Also, that there will always be gaps in their education. I can't teach them everything, but teaching them how to learn and to love learning will equip them with what they need to fill those gaps as needed.  

9. How does your faith affect your homeschooling?

Our faith is central in our lives, so it influences everything. We prioritize the church year over school, we study church history and saints' lives, and lace conversations about God and our faith in what we read. 

10. What are some of your favorite homeschool resources?

I follow AmblesideOnline for the base of our curriculum. We love Math-U-See for math. I recently started using Delightful Reading from Simply Charlotte Mason with my learning readers and absolutely love them. The Simply Charlotte Mason podcast was formative for me over the years. 

My most favorite resource is Lisa, whom I'm blessed to have as a sister-in-law and therefore can ask all my questions to! :)

11. What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of homeschooling?

Getting to have my children home and living so much life with them is absolutely the biggest reward. It is hard and messy, but I still love it and will miss them when they grow and venture out. 

12. Anything else you'd like to add?

I truly believe that anyone can homeschool if they ask for God's help, are open to trying new things and failing from time to time, and are willing to learn along the way. 

---

Thank you, Hannah!