I’m not sure most people really understand how abusive and isolating homeschooling has the capacity to be.(don’t @ me with not all homeschoolers nonsense) Abusive parents have absolute authority and there is no one to intervene. No teachers, coaches or any kind of non-parental

figure. My parents made every decision for me well into my 20s. All outside influences were heavily monitored. We could only go to places as a family. I wasn’t allowed to get a job outside the home. I couldn’t get my drivers license. My birth certificate was locked away.

I thought all of this was normal but even if I had known it would have been so hard to get away. I was so used to my parents making decisions for me and was fearful of the consequences if I disobeyed. In my 20s, legally I could have just walked out.

But the reality? No job, license, work experience, transcript and diploma made it incredibly difficult to leave. Not to mention, the mental block of fearing everything “out there” and certain I couldn’t make it on my own.

I was abused. Sexually, physically, emotionally... and there was NO ONE to help because homeschooling has little to no oversight. My parents could do whatever they wanted to their kids because they had total control.

This is why I feel some type of way about even progressive homeschool parents. Most aren’t advocating for oversight. I have no patience for defensive feelings. My story is common, heartbreakingly so. I hear parents complaining about being inconvenienced rather than make

homeschooling safer for all kids. I deserved better. They deserve better.

All the defensive homeschool parents in my mentions, y’all are telling on yourselves. And getting blocked. You will not invalidate my abuse by pointing a finger elsewhere. If having safeguards in place to protect the most vulnerable is threatening to you that says a lot about you

Thank you to the homeschool parents who understand that protecting abused kids is worth it.

I tell my story for other survivors. To those abused and neglected little kids who didn’t have a voice. For those who didn’t make it out. For my siblings who are still stuck with my parents. When we speak our healing and freedom, it invites others to join us.