My Husband Insisted on Homeschooling Our Daughter — I Gasped When I Found Out Why

When Mia’s husband, Ben, suddenly starts talking about homeschooling their six-year-old daughter, Lily, she’s surprised. Months earlier, they had been talking about sending the little girl to private school. So, what changed? Mia finds out when she overhears a conversation between Ben and Lily…

This all started a few months ago at a dinner party. My husband, Ben, and I were sitting with a few friends when, out of the blue, he brought up the idea of homeschooling our daughter, Lily.

An aerial view of people at a dinner party | Source: Midjourney

An aerial view of people at a dinner party | Source: Midjourney

“It’s the system, you know? It’s too rigid, too focused on tests,” Ben said, leaning forward in his seat like he had discovered the secret to the universe.

“Kids need to be free to explore their creativity. I don’t want Lily’s imagination boxed in. She needs to feel things between her fingers and experience life,” he continued.

Ben reached forward to help himself to the bowl of mashed potatoes.

A casserole of mashed potatoes | Source: Midjourney

A casserole of mashed potatoes | Source: Midjourney

Everyone at the table nodded, murmuring in agreement.

“Honestly, that’s so true,” our friend Sarah chimed in as she sipped her wine. “Schools just kill creativity. I wish I had done something different with my kids. Last year, Jasmine wanted to show off her creativity through her uniform, but they didn’t accept it at school. She got a suspension warning.”

I remember glancing at Ben, completely surprised at how passionately he was speaking. He had never once mentioned anything about homeschooling before. In fact, he had been talking about us getting our six-year-old into private school.

A little girl in her school uniform | Source: Midjourney

A little girl in her school uniform | Source: Midjourney

But here he was, talking about homeschooling like he’d been thinking about it for years.

“We could teach her ourselves, Mia,” Ben continued, glancing over at me with a smile. “Think about it, love. No strict schedules, no standardized tests. She could learn at her own pace.”

I nodded, trying to process everything.

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

“Yeah, I mean, it does sound good,” I agreed. “But we need to explore all options about it first.”

I was hesitant. But I was also unsure of why I felt a slight unease creep up on me. Although when Ben spoke so passionately, it was hard not to get swept up in the dream of it all.

After that night, Ben kept bringing it up. At home, over dinner, in passing conversations, he’d make little comments all the time.

A concerned woman | Source: Midjourney

A concerned woman | Source: Midjourney

“Lily would be so much happier if she wasn’t stuck in a classroom all day.”

“We could help her learn things that matter, Mia, not just what’s on some test.”

Eventually, I started to believe that he might be right.

Before I knew it, we had decided to pull Lily out of her school and start with the new routine of homeschooling. Ben took charge of everything.

A little girl using a computer | Source: Midjourney

A little girl using a computer | Source: Midjourney

“Like the gifts we talked about? You’ll deliver them, right?”

He had always been more involved with her school meetings, so I trusted him completely. And look, at first, everything seemed to be working. Ben would sit with Lily during “school hours,” and he’d proudly show me the projects they’d worked on when I got home from work.

“I’m glad she’s happy,” I told Ben one evening when I was loading the dishwasher.

A woman loading a dishwasher | Source: Midjourney

A woman loading a dishwasher | Source: Midjourney

“She’s more than happy, Mia,” he said with a smile. “She’s thriving. Look at this! She made a solar system model all on her own.”

But then one day, I came home early from work, eager to show Lily the new set of watercolor paint I had gotten for her. I walked in quietly, not wanting to disturb whatever lesson she and Ben were doing.

And that’s when I heard Lily crying.

A concerned woman | Source: Midjourney

A concerned woman | Source: Midjourney

“But Dad, I miss my friends!” Lily sobbed. “They probably think I don’t like them anymore. I’m sure they think we’re fighting! They’ll be so mad at me for not going to school…”

I crept closer to the dining room, which had become the classroom. And I heard Ben’s voice, low and soothing.

“Lily-girl,” he said. “I told you, we can send them little gifts, okay? They won’t be mad at you.”

An upset little man | Source: Midjourney

An upset little man | Source: Midjourney

Lily sniffled, but her tone lifted a little.

“Like the gifts we talked about? You’ll deliver them, right?” she said.

Deliver gifts? What on earth was my child talking about?

“Yes, darling,” he said.

A frowning woman | Source: Midjourney

A frowning woman | Source: Midjourney

“Like when you let me come with you when Mommy had to work? You’re going to deliver my friends’ gifts just like when you bring packages to people, right?”

I froze. I tried to piece the information together before storming in and demanding answers.

Ben wasn’t homeschooling Lily out of some grand educational philosophy that he had been talking about endlessly.

An upset little girl | Source: Midjourney

An upset little girl | Source: Midjourney

Instead, my husband was delivering packages. All those days that I thought they were doing lessons… what had really been happening under my roof?

“Get your answers, Mia,” I muttered as I walked into the dining room.

Ben’s face turned white when he saw me.

A close up of a shocked man | Source: Midjourney

A close up of a shocked man | Source: Midjourney

“Care to explain what on earth Lily is talking about?” I asked.

My chest felt tight, like I was just holding it all together before some horrible news came out.

Ben let out a long breath, running his hands through his hair.

“Honey, why don’t you go play on the swing or watch some TV?” Ben told her.

We waited until Lily was happily running outside to the swing before Ben said another word.

A little girl sitting on a swing | Source: Midjourney

A little girl sitting on a swing | Source: Midjourney

“I… I lost my job, okay? Months ago. I didn’t know how to tell you, Mia.”

I blinked, trying to process his words.

“I didn’t want you to think I was a failure.”

“You lost your job? Then what on earth have you been doing all day?”

“The homeschooling. It wasn’t about Lily’s education. It was because we couldn’t afford the tuition anymore. And I know that a few months ago I wanted her to go to private school, but I couldn’t even afford her public school fees.”

A close up of an upset man | Source: Midjourney

A close up of an upset man | Source: Midjourney

Ben paused, holding his head.

I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t know how to retaliate.

“I’ve been delivering packages. It’s not stable, but it’s for a few hours a day. I take Lily with me in between her homeschooling. I know you think that I’ve been working in the study and then teaching Lily, too…”

A man holding two boxes | Source: Midjourney

A man holding two boxes | Source: Midjourney

“You’ve been delivering packages? Really? This whole time?” I asked, stunned. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“I didn’t want you to think that I was a failure,” Ben said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t know how to fix this situation. But you know how stressful my job was toward the end. Those hours killed me. I thought that maybe if I could just keep things together for a little while longer…”

A frowning woman | Source: Midjourney

A frowning woman | Source: Midjourney

I shook my head, trying to wrap my mind around everything. I wanted to be angry.

I wanted to shout at my husband, not because he lost his job, but because he didn’t want to tell me about it. I understood the pressure of losing your job suddenly and then having to put yourself back together.

When I was pregnant with Lily, I lost my job because they couldn’t afford to keep paying me while I was on maternity leave.

A pregnant woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

A pregnant woman sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

But Ben carried us right up until Lily was three years old.

I shook my head now, trying to shake some of my thoughts. I felt… sad. Sad that Ben had felt like he had to hide this from me.

“Ben, you didn’t have to do this alone,” I said, reaching toward him.

He smiled at me sadly.

A close up of a woman | Source: Midjourney

A close up of a woman | Source: Midjourney

We put Lily back into school the next week using our savings. She was overjoyed to see her friends, and the guilt Ben had been carrying around began to lift when he saw her running toward them at the school gate.

As for Ben, he found another job as a grocery store manager. It wasn’t his dream job, but it was honest work that came with medical benefits. And honestly, I think it was just the fact that he was earning properly again that made the biggest difference to him.

A man standing in a grocery store | Source: Midjourney

A man standing in a grocery store | Source: Midjourney

There was a lightness back in our home that hadn’t been there in a long time. A sense that we were moving forward, together.

What would you have done?

A smiling couple with their daughter | Source: Midjourney

A smiling couple with their daughter | Source: Midjourney

If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you |

Am I Wrong for “Hiding” My MIL’s Birthday Present to My Husband after Finding Out What Was Inside?

Tired of allowing her cold and callous mother-in-law to ruin her husband’s birthday, Lila hides Carol’s birthday present from Bill to save him the hurt and disappointment that usually came with his mother’s gifts. But when Lila’s secret comes out, a series of events unfolds.

I could tell my husband, Bill, was nervous. His birthday was coming up, and every year, his mom’s gift felt like a slap in the face.

Bill sat on our worn-out couch, his shoulders tense.

A man sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

A man sitting on a couch | Source: Midjourney

“Do you think she’ll actually care this time?” he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

I sighed, placing my hand on his. I didn’t know what I was supposed to say. I knew that I needed to reassure him, but my husband’s relationship with his mother was complicated.

“Maybe,” I said. “But remember, we’re celebrating your birthday, not hers. We’ll have a great time, no matter what, darling.”

A couple holding hands | Source: Midjourney

A couple holding hands | Source: Midjourney

Bill smiled at me, but it didn’t reach his eyes. I knew how much he wanted to feel loved and appreciated by Carol, but she always failed to show him that. It wasn’t just about the gifts. It was about the feeling.

Bill had told me the story a long time ago. He was his mother’s son from her first marriage, and their relationship was strong, but things took a turn when Carol met her second husband, Adam.

It became even worse when Bill’s younger brothers were born. Suddenly, Carol only had eyes for Adam and their sons, making it clear to Bill that he was no longer a priority in her life.

A mother and her sons | Source: Midjourney

A mother and her sons | Source: Midjourney

“Okay,” he said. “This year will be different.”

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

Laugh Out Loud: 12 Best Jokes About Kids, Animals, Jobs, and Life

Laughter truly is the best medicine, and who doesn’t love a good joke to brighten their day? From kids and animals to life’s quirky moments, these 12 jokes are sure to tickle your funny bone.

Whether you’re looking for a quick chuckle or a laugh-out-loud moment, we’ve got you covered. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a collection of humor that’s as diverse as it is hilarious.

Friends laughing at something on a cell phone | Source: Pexels

Friends laughing at something on a cell phone | Source: Pexels

The Parrot and the Burglar

Late one night, a burglar broke into a house. As he tiptoed through the living room, a booming voice stopped him in his tracks: “Jesus is watching you!”

Terrified, he froze, but when silence returned, he crept forward again.

The voice echoed once more, “Jesus is watching you!”

Panicking, the burglar scanned the room and spotted a parrot in a cage.

“Was that you?” he asked.

A burglar holding his hands against his head | Source: Pexels

A burglar holding his hands against his head | Source: Pexels

“Yes,” the parrot replied.

Relieved, the burglar asked, “What’s your name?”

“Moses,” said the bird.

“Moses? That’s a dumb name for a parrot. What idiot named you that?”

A parrot in a birdcage | Source: Pexels

A parrot in a birdcage | Source: Pexels

The parrot squawked, “The same idiot who named the Rottweiler Jesus.”

Moses’ quick wit is just the start of this laughter-filled journey. As we turn the page to the next joke, prepare for a story that combines a bit of mystery with a generous dose of hilarity. Hold onto your sides as we dive into this playful tale by the cemetery.

The Nutty Cemetery Mix-Up

Two boys were sitting behind a nut tree near a cemetery fence, dividing a bucket of nuts. The bucket was so full that some nuts fell out and rolled away, ending up near the fence. The boys ignored them for now and continued dividing the nuts in the bucket.

Nuts lying on grass | Source: Pexels

Nuts lying on grass | Source: Pexels

“One for you, one for me,” they chanted.

A third boy cycling by heard the voices and thought, “It’s Satan and St. Peter dividing souls!” Terrified, he rushed to an old man further down the road. After much persuasion, the old man hobbled over with him to see what the boy was talking about.

Peering through the fence, they heard, “One for you, one for me…”

Trembling, the old man whispered, “This is real!”

A shocked elderly man peering through a fence | Source: Midjourney

A shocked elderly man peering through a fence | Source: Midjourney

But just as they braced themselves, the boys finished dividing the nuts and said, “Now let’s fetch the ones by the fence.”

The old man reportedly made it back to town five minutes before the boy.

Those mischievous boys by the cemetery certainly knew how to spark some laughs. But now, let’s shift gears to a family situation with a humorous twist. This next joke shows just how creative (or not) some relatives can be when left in charge.

The Twin Naming Fiasco

A man attending a conference overseas got the news that his wife had given birth to twins. Excited, he called her and asked, “Who took you to the hospital?”

A happy man speaking on his cell phone | Source: Pexels

A happy man speaking on his cell phone | Source: Pexels

“Your brother, Joe,” she replied. “And since I was under anesthesia, he also named the babies.”

Horrified, the husband exclaimed, “Joe’s a moron! What did he name them?”

“Well, we have a girl and a boy. He named the girl Deniece.”

“That’s not so bad. What about the boy?”

A thoughtful man speaking on his cell phone | Source: Pexels

A thoughtful man speaking on his cell phone | Source: Pexels

“Joe called him De-nephew.”

Joe’s naming antics were nothing short of entertaining, weren’t they? But hold on, because this next tale introduces a farmer who takes communication to a whole new level. Get ready to laugh as a lawyer struggles to decode a farmer’s quirky requests.

The Farmer’s Divorce Dilemma

A farmer walked into a lawyer’s office and said, “I want a day-vorce.”

A farmer standing in a lawyer's office | Source: Midjourney

A farmer standing in a lawyer’s office | Source: Midjourney

The lawyer asked, “What grounds do you have?”

“About 140 acres,” the farmer replied.

Exasperated, the lawyer asked, “Do you have a grudge?”

“Sure do—that’s where I park my tractor.”

Finally, the lawyer shouted, “Why do you want a divorce?”

A lawyer leaning on his desk, looking frustrated | Source: Pexels

A lawyer leaning on his desk, looking frustrated | Source: Pexels

The farmer sighed, “I can never have a meaningful conversation with her.”

The farmer’s take on communication left us in stitches, but the humor doesn’t stop there. This time, we’re jumping into the world of a frog with an unusual destiny. Get ready for a ribbit-ing prediction that’s bound to crack you up.

The Frog’s Unfortunate Prediction

A frog called a psychic hotline.

A frog on a table | Source: Pexels

A frog on a table | Source: Pexels

He was thrilled when the psychic told him, “In the next month, you’ll meet a beautiful young woman. She’s going to be fascinated by you and want to know everything about you.”

“Where will I meet her?” the frog asked eagerly. “Will we be at a party? Or, maybe she’ll be strolling past my home?”

The psychic replied, “None of those. You’ll meet her in her biology class next semester.”

A woman speaking into a headset microphone | Source: Pexels

A woman speaking into a headset microphone | Source: Pexels

Just when you thought things couldn’t get more unexpected, we’ve got a wartime confession that’s equal parts surprising and amusing. This joke reveals how even serious situations can take a turn for the hilariously awkward. Let’s dive in.

The Never-Ending War

A man in Amsterdam confessed to his priest, “During WWII, I hid a refugee in my attic.”

“That’s not a sin,” the priest reassured him. “You helped someone in need.”

A priest listening to a confession | Source: Pexels

A priest listening to a confession | Source: Pexels

“But I charged him 20 Gulden a week,” the man added.

“That wasn’t good, but you still saved his life,” said the priest.

The man lets out a deep sigh. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that. But tell me, Father, do I have to tell him the war’s over?” asked the man.

A man confessing his sins to a priest | Source: Pexels

A man confessing his sins to a priest | Source: Pexels

That moral dilemma from WWII had quite the twist, didn’t it? Now, let’s step into the workplace for a story of pure comedic misfortune. Brace yourself for a laugh-out-loud moment that could only happen to someone truly unlucky.

The Iron Phone Incident

Mark showed up to work with two red, sore ears.

His coworker asked, “What happened?”

A man working on a construction site glancing to one side | Source: Pexels

A man working on a construction site glancing to one side | Source: Pexels

Mark explained, “I was ironing while watching TV. When the phone rang, I picked up the iron instead.”

“And the other ear?”

“The guy called back.”

Mark’s phonecall mishap had us in tears, but this next one takes us to a fast-food joint where sharing gets a hilarious spin. Get ready for a tale of an elderly couple who redefine the concept of “togetherness” in the quirkiest way possible.

Sharing is Caring

An elderly couple walked into a fast-food restaurant and ordered one burger and a small order of fries. As they sat down, they carefully split everything: the burger, the fries, even the drink.

A burger and fries on a table | Source: Pexels

A burger and fries on a table | Source: Pexels

A trucker watching nearby felt sorry for them and offered to buy the wife her own meal.

The husband politely declined, saying, “Oh, no, thank you. We share everything.”

A few minutes later, the trucker noticed that while the husband was eating, the wife hadn’t touched a bite.

Concerned, he asked, “Why aren’t you eating?”

A trucker seated in a fast-food restaurant | Source: Midjourney

A trucker seated in a fast-food restaurant | Source: Midjourney

The wife replied sharply, “Because I’m waiting for the teeth!”

From fast-food hilarity to a nocturnal adventure, this next joke is a real screamer—or should we say squeaker? Join us as we enter the world of bats with a twist that’s both dark and uproarious.

The Blind Bat

A vampire bat returned to his cave covered in blood, only to be hounded by others asking where he got the blood.

Bats hanging in a cave | Source: Pexels

Bats hanging in a cave | Source: Pexels

Finally, he led them through a forest and pointed to a tree.

“Do you see that tree?” he asked.

“YES!” they screamed.

“Good,” he said, “because I didn’t!”

That bat’s nocturnal adventure was one for the books, but now it’s time for a lighter laugh. This next joke involves flowers, sympathy, and a classic case of mixed messages that’ll leave you grinning.

The Florist’s Card Mix-Up

A store owner was thrilled to receive a bouquet of flowers on the opening day of his new business.

A bouquet with a card | Source: Pexels

A bouquet with a card | Source: Pexels

However, his excitement turned to confusion when he read the card attached: “Deepest Sympathy.”

Puzzled, the man called the florist to report the mistake. The florist apologized profusely and said, “I’m so sorry about that! Your card must have been sent to the funeral home instead.”

The store owner asked, “What did that card say?”

A man holding a note while making a phone call | Source: Pexels

A man holding a note while making a phone call | Source: Pexels

The florist replied, “‘Congratulations on your new location.'”

Florists may have their missteps, but wait until you hear about this lawyer with a name that’s as clever as his joke. This next tale is all about wordplay and a fitting tribute with a punchline to match.

The Honest Lawyer

A lawyer named Strange ordered a tombstone inscribed, “Here lies an honest man and a lawyer.”

The stonecutter refused, saying, “It’s illegal to bury two people in one grave. But I can write, ‘Here lies an honest lawyer.'”

A man ordering a tombstone | Source: Midjourney

A man ordering a tombstone | Source: Midjourney

The lawyer protested, “How will people know it’s me?”

The stonecutter replied, “Easy. They’ll read it and say, ‘That’s Strange!'”

We’ve had clever wordplay and hilarious mix-ups, but now it’s time to finish strong with a tale of extreme conditions and an unexpected celebration. Buckle up for this finale that’s sure to leave you laughing out loud.

The Farmer in Hell

A farmer from Texas found himself in hell after he passed away. The Devil was surprised to find the farmer unfazed and smiling in the heat.

A farmer relaxing in Hell | Source: Midjourney

A farmer relaxing in Hell | Source: Midjourney

“Why are you so happy?” asked the Devil.

The farmer replied, “This feels just like a hot June day back home when I’m plowing my fields.”

Annoyed, the Devil increased the heat to 105 degrees with stifling humidity. Yet the farmer continued to smile no matter how high the Devil cranked up the heat.

Finally, the Devil decided to freeze hell over, setting the temperature to a bone-chilling -10 degrees.

Frozen lava | Source: Midjourney

Frozen lava | Source: Midjourney

To the Devil’s surprise, the farmer began running around and shouting with joy.

“What are you so happy about now?” the Devil demanded.

The farmer shouted, “The Cowboys must’ve won the Super Bowl!”

Whether it’s a parrot outsmarting a burglar or a farmer making the Devil sweat, these stories are sure to brighten your day.

Two women laughing together | Source: Pexels

Two women laughing together | Source: Pexels

So, share them with friends, family, or coworkers, and keep the laughter going. After all, life’s too short not to laugh out loud!

Keep the laughs coming with these jokes about bars, jobs, and quirky animals.

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