Homeschooling an only child presents unique challenges and rewards, as Jessica Waldock shared in our recent podcast conversation. As the creator of The Waldock Way and mother to 13-year-old Emily, Jessica offers valuable insights into the journey of single-child homeschooling and how it evolved into a thriving business.
Jessica’s homeschooling adventure began unintentionally when her daughter was preschool age. Living 45 minutes from the nearest school and feeling reluctant to part with her rainbow baby, Jessica decided to keep Emily home for preschool. What started as a practical decision soon revealed unexpected benefits: flexible schedules that accommodated her husband’s changing work hours, the joy of learning together as a family, and witnessing those precious “lightbulb moments” firsthand. The family found they enjoyed the lifestyle so much that they continued year after year, now entering their eighth grade year with no plans to stop.
Unlike the concerns many people express about socialization for only children in homeschool environments, Jessica found that Emily has thrived. Approximately 90% of Emily’s friends are fellow homeschoolers, and she participates in numerous activities including guitar lessons, archery through 4-H, and previously karate. Jessica initially felt pressure to join co-ops for socialization but discovered that structured, regular meetups weren’t the right fit for their family. Instead, they participate in a more relaxed group of homeschool families who organize occasional gatherings, holiday celebrations, and field trips.
One fascinating aspect of their homeschooling journey is how it’s shaped Emily’s perspective. During a shopping trip, Jessica realized her daughter wasn’t familiar with certain popular trends because “she gets to be 100% her, with no pressure to like the ‘it’ new thing or be clicky.” This freedom from peer pressure has allowed Emily to develop her own interests authentically, from archery to guitar, without concern for what might be considered “cool” by mainstream standards.
The Waldock family’s day typically flows in blocks: morning basket time (reading and activities that don’t require writing), table time for writing lessons and math, and afternoon activities that might include subscription boxes, projects, or games. As Emily has grown older, the schedule has shifted later to accommodate her teenage sleep patterns, but the structure remains similar.
Perhaps most impressively, Jessica transformed her homeschooling experience into a successful business. The Waldock Way began seven years ago when Jessica felt there weren’t enough resources for families homeschooling only children. She started sharing their daily activities on Instagram, particularly focusing on how they incorporated learning around Emily’s interests, such as Magic Treehouse books. As people began asking about her curriculum, Jessica formalized their natural approach into unit studies that she initially sold on Teachers Pay Teachers before creating her own website.
These unit studies, which Jessica describes as “a buffet or feast” from which families can pick and choose what works for them, range from mini one-week studies to comprehensive 24-36 week programs. They incorporate books, YouTube videos, games, printables, and beautiful custom illustrations created by her husband. The flexibility allows families to focus on what interests their children while still covering essential subjects.
Jessica emphasizes that interest-led learning is key to successful homeschooling. Rather than asking children directly what they’re interested in (which often results in “I don’t know” responses), she recommends paying attention to what naturally engages them and not discrediting interests that might initially seem non-educational, like video games. As she wisely notes, “Maybe your son who’s in love with video games is going to be a video game programmer, and by allowing him to follow those interests, you’ve opened more doors for him.”
For families considering homeschooling an only child, Jessica offers this reassurance: “There is literally nobody on earth who is more invested in my child than I am… So you are quite literally, no matter what, the most equipped and the best person for the job.” This perspective perfectly captures the heart of homeschooling – the unique opportunity to tailor education to your individual child’s needs and interests while building a relationship that transcends traditional teacher-student dynamics.