-by Ketika Kasetwar,  Aug 2025

This morning, as I began listening to my daughter’s latest podcast episode “Not Your Stereotypical”, I wasn’t prepared for the wave of emotions that followed, and flowed. In those 19 and a half minutes, I heard my daughter’s voice narrating not just her story, but ours – as individuals and as a family! A beautiful way of summarizing and reflection of years of choices, challenges, and fun times that shaped our homeschooling journey. By the end, I was left with tears in my eyes, my heart brimming with pride and gratitude, just taking my time to feel and absorb. It’s not just a podcast episode; it is a window into the heart and mind of a young learner who is finding her voice in this world.

What struck me most was the way she spoke with such honesty. Rather than just skimming the surface of her experiences, she dived deep into them, fearlessly and confidently, articulating the words pretty diplomatically. She didn’t shy away from stating the facts or sharing her truths, even the ones we sometimes hesitate to voice out loud. This gave a glimpse into our life that isn’t always visible from the outside, one which we hold very dearly and possessively 

For me, this podcast is an “inside-out” perspective on homeschooling, from a homeschooled student. As parents, we often explain, defend, or interpret our choices. But this time, it wasn’t my voice, it was hers. Her spark, her passion, her curiosity came alive in her own individual way. It was unfiltered and authentic, and that is what made it so powerful.

One line that especially stayed with me was: “The shield only works when the enemy is on the other side.” It’s such a simple sentence, and yet it carries the depth of her lived experience. It made me pause, reflect, and recognize how much of her wisdom comes not from what I’ve taught her, but from how she has experienced the world in her own way. While dealing with and managing the emotional upheaval of growing up.

I’ve always known her extra-ordinary-ness, the way she says “yes!” to curiosity, to exploration, to learning beyond boundaries, on topics that truly interest her. But hearing her share her experiences and learnings in her own words was something else entirely. It filled me with wonder, a sense of awe at how much she has grown, and how bravely she continues to define herself, not by labels or expectations, but by her own choices and her own spirit.

As a parent, that’s all I could ever ask for. Not perfection. Not a checklist of achievements. But the courage to be true to oneself. And today, through her voice, my daughter reminded me that this has been the real intention of our journey all along. Holding on to the emotions of this morning, I feel validated, inspired and immensely proud. And a strong resolve to continue doing what we do 

Listening to my daughter today reaffirmed for me why I continue to speak, write, and advocate for homeschooling, gifted education, and alternate pathways of learning. Our children deserve spaces where their individuality is honoured and their voices are heard. Not boxed into stereotypes or forced into moulds that don’t fit the ‘average’ of the current educational/learning systems. This episode is not just about our journey; it’s about what becomes possible when we trust our children, stand by them, and create room for them to define their own spirit. And if her voice can reach even one parent who is wondering whether to take that leap of faith, then this journey has been more than worth it.