If you’ve messaged me lately about homeschooling… honestly, you are not alone.
I’ve gotten DMs from people we met on our Space-A adventure, moms from Okinawa, random Instagram friends, even someone we met on our cruise who has been referring her friends on how to actually do this! 😆

It feels like more and more families are curious about homeschooling. Especially military families, or families thinking about traveling more before a big move. And I get it. Starting can feel scary, especially when you’re overseas and you’re like:

“Ummm… what laws do I even follow?”
“Am I qualified to teach my kid?”
“Will they still get into college?”

So I put everything in one place for you. Simple, honest, mom-to-mom. No gatekeeping.

What Laws Do You Follow If You’re Military and Living Overseas?

This is hands down the biggest fear I hear.

Here’s the simple answer:

You follow the homeschool laws of your state of residence.

Not the country you’re visiting.
Not the base you’re assigned to.
Your home state.

For us, that’s Texas. Which is extremely homeschool friendly. Texas just requires a “bona fide curriculum” covering:

• reading
• spelling
• grammar
• math
• good citizenship

That’s it. And you can do that from anywhere in the world.

If you’re a civilian living abroad, it varies more, but most families still stick with U.S. state guidelines for clarity and consistency.

A Quick Note About State Differences (This Part Matters!)

Every state has different homeschool rules. Some require almost no oversight, and others require portfolios, evaluations, or parent qualifications. It’s something to think about when choosing your domicile.

States also offer different levels of support. Some have funding programs where a portion of the money that normally goes to public schools can follow your child into homeschooling. We’ve never personally used those programs, but I know families who did when we were in Washington.

And if you qualify based on household income, many states allow homeschool families to access things like SNAP and federal lunch benefits. Federal programs recognize homeschooling, you just check the appropriate box for “homeschooled.”

The Curriculum We Use + What I Recommend

We’ve been homeschooling since 2018, and we’ve tried a lot of things. What we use now works beautifully for full time travel.

Mia Academy and MiaPrep (Our Favorite for Traveling Families)

This program has been the smoothest for us, especially with how much we move around.

Here’s why we love it:

• Everything has time stamps and automatic record keeping
• You can add classes instantly
• Kids can go at their own pace. It fosters many different learning methods.
• Built-in grading, attendance logs, report cards and progress tracking
• A safe, moderated online community so kids can socialize without chaos
• It works anywhere you have a wifi connection to. Literally hotel rooms, airports, ships, etc.

I’m going to write a full Mia Academy & MiaPrep review because I get asked about it constantly.

Other Beginner Friendly Options

If Mia isn’t your style, here are great starters:

• Time4Learning
• Power Homeschool
• Study.com (amazing for teens)
• Mr. D Math
• Outschool for elective classes and passions

Our Style: A Mix of Curriculum + Real Life Learning

We combine structured curriculum with what we call “worldschooling.”

Snorkeling in Tahiti? Science + geography.
Exploring temples in Japan? History + cultural studies.
Travel days? Writing + problem solving.

Those experiences teach things you cannot get from a textbook.

High School, Credits, Transcripts & College: The Overwhelming Part (But It Doesn’t Have to Be)

Let’s just get this out of the way:

Yes, colleges accept homeschoolers. Easily.

Addison is literally going through the process right now and:

• she’s already received direct admissions from multiple colleges
• she’s taking standardized tests just like everyone else
• her transcript looks totally normal
• the process has been just as rigorous, just more flexible

Homeschooling hasn’t held her back at all, she actually loves that she has more time to dive into the things she cares about.

Texas Homeschool Coalition Has Been Incredible for Us

If you’re a Texas family, THSC is gold.

They helped us with:

• official homeschool compliance letters
• legal guidance
• records
• and we used their transcript template for Addison’s college apps

If you’re nervous, they give you so much peace of mind. They do have a yearly membership but the services we have received has well covered it.

How to Track High School Credits (Super Simple)

• 1 credit = a full year of a subject
• Keep a Google Doc or binder
• Log completed classes, hours, projects, and tests
• Save samples of work just in case

That’s it. You don’t need anything fancy.

Why Homeschooling Works So Well for Teens

More Time to Explore Passions

This is one of my favorite parts. When you homeschool, kids aren’t boxed into a one-size-fits-all schedule.

They have:

• more time to explore interests
• space to pivot when passions evolve
• flexibility to chase new ideas
• chances to discover who they’re becoming

Addy’s creativity exploded once she wasn’t stuck to a rigid school day. She’s exploring art, writing, digital design, coding, travel photography… all without being rushed.

But What About Socializing?

This is the other question I get a lot.

Homeschooling does not mean your kid is isolated.
In fact, most homeschool kids are more social because their interactions are:

• mixed-age
• more positive
• interest based
• less pressured

Here’s what has worked for us:

• Mia Academy’s moderated online community (big win for safety)
• Homeschool meetups in current locations
• Worldschooling co-ops when we travel
• Sports, martial arts, and youth programs
• Art classes, STEM clubs, and local events

I promise, they will not be lonely.

What Our Daily Schedule Looks Like (With Travel in the Mix)

This surprises a lot of moms:

We only do 3-4 hours of “regular structured” school a day.
The rest is flexible, hands on, real world learning.

A typical overseas homeschool day looks like:

• Light morning work
• Afternoons exploring or doing activities
• Travel days = learning days
• If we’re jet lagged, we catch up later

We’ve done math in airports, history in hotel lobbies, and writing in the backseat of rental cars. And they still learn… a lot.

How to Start Homeschooling (The Stress-Free Checklist)

If you feel overwhelmed, here’s your simple starter list:

1. Look up your state’s homeschool laws
2. Pick one curriculum to try
3. Decide a daily routine that fits your lifestyle
4. Make a folder for attendance + records
5. Download a transcript template (THSC has a great one)
6. Start slow: reading, writing, math (what your state requires at a minimum)
7. Add electives + travel based learning later

Homeschooling doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Try it for a semester or a year. You can always switch paths.

Final Thoughts for the Nervous Mama

If you’re scared to take the leap, you’re not doing anything wrong, every homeschool mom feels nervous at first. So did I. But the freedom and flexibility it brings… it’s unmatched. Especially if you want to travel, or if your family moves a lot.

Your kids will learn.
They’ll thrive.
And you’ll actually get to enjoy this stage of life together.

And who knows, worldschooling might end up being one of the best decisions you ever make.