More Than Reality with Adam and Danielle – Episode 72 Summary

Episode Title: OutDaughtered Update: Why the Quints Are Switching to Homeschool Co-Op
Release Date: February 26, 2026
Hosts: Adam and Danielle Busby
Total Runtime: ~59 minutes

Overview

In this heartfelt and candid episode, Adam and Danielle Busby offer listeners an inside look at a pivotal family decision: the transition of their quintuplets from public school to a homeschool co-op for sixth grade. The Busbys reflect on their thought process, past schooling experiences (including those with their oldest daughter Blake), and their hope to make the best educational and developmental choices for their family. The discussion covers unique challenges of raising quintuplets, the pros and cons of various schooling types, the impact of learning differences like dyslexia, socialization, and faith-led decision-making.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Decision to Homeschool with a Co-Op

• Danielle acknowledges she “never would have thought” they'd choose homeschooling, but circumstances and reflection led them there (00:56).
• The Busbys value the hybrid approach of a co-op: “You have the best of both worlds... at-home learning... but also... a classroom setting” (01:07).
• The driving force: keeping the quintuplets together and addressing their very unique needs as a group of five in the same grade (01:28).

2. House-Hunting, Busy Family Life, and the Need for Flexibility

• The episode opens with a lighthearted story about missing an open house (02:13 – 09:41), illustrating the chaos and schedule-juggling inherent in Busby life.
• Danielle stresses that the flexibility of homeschooling is a practical necessity for their family, which is “a lot more fluid than other people's” due to media, travel, and ongoing projects (51:21).
• “We are not in a hurry to buy a house right now... we just don’t want to compromise on certain things” (09:33).

3. Reflections on Middle School: Personal Experiences

• Adam and Danielle recall their own middle school “shock” – academic, social, and emotional upheaval (14:12 – 21:59).
  • Adam: “Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade are the most tumultuous... kids’ lives” (17:48).
  • Danielle: “I hated middle school. I literally hated middle school. I became super shy and overwhelmed, I think” (20:55).
• They detail the “culture shock” of merging from small elementary schools into larger and often more challenging middle school environments.
• Concerns about exposure to social drama, peer pressure, and mature content in middle school drive their caution.

4. Academic and Social Concerns for the Quints

• The Busbys highlight the diverse learning styles and needs among their five same-age daughters (27:57 – 28:57).
  • “They all learn at a different pace. They all process things differently.”
• Danielle has enjoyed direct involvement in elementary placements but will lose that control in public middle school.
• Experience with hybrid classrooms during COVID, discovering learning disabilities like dyslexia, and how those needs are (or aren’t) addressed in both public and homeschool environments.

5. Dyslexia and Learning Support

• Danielle becomes passionate when discussing dyslexia: “There’s nothing wrong with your kid if they have dyslexia... just provide the tools they need. That’s okay” (41:55).
• Practical advice for parents: request 504 plan support from your local school district, even if homeschooling (44:43).
• “I want to just slap you in the face and tell you, mom, do better. Because there’s nothing wrong with your kid if they have dyslexia...” – Danielle (41:15).

6. Why a Homeschool Co-Op over Traditional Homeschooling

• Co-op solves their biggest worries: socialization, parent overload, and maintaining some classroom structure.
  • “They go twice a week and will be there, you know, maybe like four or five hours” (49:43).
• Avoids drawbacks of public school: “There’s no star tests and state standardized testing and all that, which we can’t stand” (49:54).
• Danielle shares comfort in starting “small”—focusing only on sixth grade, and only first semester for now (50:08).

7. Family Beliefs and Parental Responsibility

• Adam and Danielle openly discuss their desire to protect their children’s innocence amidst rapid changes in school curriculums and societal topics (52:38 – 56:53).
• Danielle: “We will take control of that and we will be parenting that... telling our kids, we’re open with our kids. They ask questions, we answer questions” (53:46).
• Their faith is central to how they approach big decisions: “The Lord called me to this... I know it’s going to be for the good because He placed it on my heart for good” (54:16).

8. Community, Learning, and Reassurance

• Both hosts emphasize the importance of seeking community, learning from others, and not doing life alone.
  • “I have joined so many Facebook groups with homeschooling and I don’t really ever comment much because I’m just taking in knowledge” – Danielle (46:19).
• “There are so many different options these days besides private school, public school. Look out there and really see how can I do best for my kid” (54:40).
• They encourage feedback and shared experiences from listeners, aiming to build stronger supportive connections through their platforms.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Accepting Homeschooling:
  “Once you accept what God’s putting you through and pushing you into… it’s so, like, why was I fighting it when there’s so much peace in the decision?” – Danielle, (31:46)

• On Middle School Transitions:
  “Sixth, seventh, eighth grade are, like, the most tumultuous… just, like, kids’ lives.” – Adam, (17:48)

• On Dyslexia Awareness:
  “I want to just slap you in the face and tell you, mom, do better. Because there’s nothing wrong with your kid if they have dyslexia... it just needs a little bit of a change and that’s okay.” – Danielle, (41:15)

• Faith and Parenting:
  “The Lord called me to this. That came to me from the Holy Spirit… I know it’s going to be for the good because He placed it on my heart for good.” – Danielle, (54:16)

• On Socialization and Stereotypes:
  “It used to be perceived as... you live in a field and you have no life. But... we have a social life, we have friends!” – Danielle, (48:16)

Key Timestamps

• 00:56 – 01:28: The Busbys introduce the decision to homeschool co-op
• 09:20 – 13:53: House hunting and life transitions
• 14:12 – 21:59: Reflections on personal middle school experiences and concerns for the quints
• 27:57 – 34:43: Detailing their schooling decision-making process and the impact of the girls’ different learning needs
• 41:15 – 44:43: Deep dive into dyslexia, encouragement for other parents, and practical 504 plan advice
• 49:43 – 50:30: Explanation of homeschool co-op structure and transition plan
• 52:38 – 54:16: Discussion of parental control, faith, and approach to heavy societal topics in education
• 56:53 – End: The quints’ own wishes about staying together and final thoughts

Final Thoughts

Adam and Danielle offer a vulnerable, honest, and deeply practical look into an immense family decision, rooted in faith, love, and their desire to do what’s best for their children. By switching to a homeschool co-op, they hope to preserve the quints’ unique bond, tailor educational needs, and retain flexibility for their family’s ever-changing reality. The episode is rich in lived experience, actionable advice, and genuine empathy for parents facing similar crossroads.

For More Information or to Share Advice:
The Busbys are actively seeking feedback and discussion from other parents about homeschooling, co-ops, and specialized learning support. Connect with them via podcast feedback channels or Danielle's “Heart of Her” social pages as this journey unfolds.