Back to School: A Different Perspective on Summer

As the new school year rolls around, parents are making all the usual preparations: buying lunch boxes, finalizing class rosters, and booking haircuts. It’s that time when society celebrates a return to order and routine.

Yet, I find myself in a different mindset. In fact, I harbor a secret wish that summer doesn’t come to an end.

Summer is often viewed as a break before “real life,” but for us, it’s the most genuine experience of life.

This isn’t meant to criticize the education system. My children attend Catholic schools that I genuinely trust. Their teachers embody the values they teach, and the curriculum focuses on faith, character, and critical thinking. This kind of education is a true gift, though it’s becoming increasingly rare.

In numerous states, public schools resemble social engineering experiments more than nurturing environments for learning. Often, parents find themselves on the sidelines or even entirely excluded.

However, even at the finest institutions, the freedom that summer provides makes the school year feel more challenging. It allows our children to learn in ways that go beyond formal education.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Summer can breed boredom, which is actually a wonderful thing. When kids aren’t tied to a rigid schedule, they unleash their imaginations; they create forts, spin tales, invent games, and observe snails for a few minutes. This laid-back approach fosters creativity in ways that structured activities may not. Without back-to-back plans, kids learn the balance of rhythm, rest, and meaningful connection.

This summer marked my daughter’s third year at sleepaway camp, while my son attended for the first time. They picked up kayaking, pottery, survival skills, and, perhaps most crucially, a bit of independence.

Independence isn’t gained through lectures; it’s developed by managing tents, muddy shoes, and forming friendships under the sun.

Meanwhile, my wife and I orchestrated a two-month plan packed with fishing, family prayers, holiday hikes, and some careful application of bug spray.

Another staple of our summer is office visits. This is one of the few times during the year when our children get to witness us at work. They come to my studio, watch the cameras power on, and interact with guests. They also assist my wife in choosing decorations for her nonprofit events. They see planning, problem-solving, and the hustle firsthand.

For them, work transforms from a vague concept into a real-life example of dedication and stewardship. We want them to grasp that work isn’t merely an escape; it’s about investment in a meaningful purpose.

Whether they’re tuning into my podcast or occasionally joining me on Zoom calls, they recognize that faith, family, and commitments are interconnected. Summer gives us the space to demonstrate this relationship in a tangible way.

These moments offer richer lessons than any standardized test could.

A Growing Movement

Summer is too often viewed as downtime before “real life,” but for us, it’s a genuine experience of living.

I know many parents may not be as fortunate to enjoy this flexibility. This is part of why there’s an increasing trend toward what policymakers refer to as “parent education” rather than “homeschooling.”

Across the United States, about 3.7 million students are homeschooled, signaling a notable shift in attitudes toward education. In Florida, where my wife is involved with the state board of education, there’s a particularly large homeschooling population. Approximately 155,000 students were homeschooled during the 2022-2023 school year, marking an increase of around 70,000 since 2017.

Florida is often seen as a testing ground for educational policies. Thanks to the voucher program initiated by Governor Ron DeSantis, homeschoolers can now benefit from state-funded educational savings accounts alongside private and charter school students. This public backing acknowledges an important truth: Parents deserve the autonomy to guide their children’s education, not bureaucrats.

Summer Reflections

Yes, summer is drawing to a close, and soon the school year will begin. We look forward to our kids returning, especially to their Catholic classrooms. Still, I hesitate to rush toward that final golden day of summer. The lessons learned during our summers—focused on family and the future—are invaluable.

I’m not one to strictly adhere to the academic calendar. Instead, I savor each second spent barefoot in the sun, embracing those wonderfully dull moments alongside my family.

Learning happens around campfires and through daydreams, during sibling quarrels and late-night talks. Because true education—rooted in kindness, freedom, and faith—can’t be confined to a syllabus.

At its core, what makes summer so irreplaceable is, well, us: me, my wife, our family, and the present moment. It allows us to slow down and truly appreciate each other.

That’s the kind of education I fight to protect.