Parents of SEVEN Children Homeschool All Their Kids!
In this deeply inspiring story, Ariel and Michael Tyson open up about their journey of raising seven children on their farm, guided by faith, intentional parenting, and a commitment to nurturing each child’s individuality. From their unique homeschooling approach to balancing farm life with family values, the Tysons share how they embrace the chaos, celebrate their children’s personalities, and find purpose in the everyday challenges of a large family. This heartfelt article offers a glimpse into their faith-centered, purposeful lifestyle and the joy they find in building a home full of love, growth, and grace.
A home filled with seven children might sound like pure chaos to some, but for Ariel and Michael Tyson, it’s a harmonious symphony of love, faith, and purpose. On their quiet farm, nestled between sprawling pastures and toy-strewn living rooms, they’ve crafted a life that’s rooted in intention, grace, and a deep commitment to raising each child with care and individuality.
“I taught for an online university for nine years,” Ariel says, her voice calm and nurturing, reflecting her parenting philosophy. “But this… this is my life’s real work now.” Her hands are full — not just with her children but also with business, content creation, and a rhythm of living that requires both grit and grace. Michael, her husband of almost 15 years, nods beside her. As a pastor, a farmer, and a father, his words carry the gentle authority of someone whose faith informs every aspect of his life.
Their love story began simply, but it hasn’t always been easy. Together, they speak tenderly of the heartbreak they endured when they lost their first baby. That loss, deep and raw, opened a new space in their hearts for gratitude. “We were devastated,” Michael shares, his voice soft with emotion. “But that loss taught us to treasure the gift of life more fully. Every child we’ve welcomed since feels like a miracle.”
Now, their oldest is eleven, and their family has grown to include five spirited sons, one wide-eyed toddler, and a little girl who, as Ariel laughs, “is just happy all the time.” But despite their large family, Ariel and Michael never set out to have seven children. “We thought we’d have four or five,” Ariel explains. “But we didn’t keep going because we were hoping for a daughter. We just feel incredibly blessed — each child adds something uniquely beautiful.”
And that uniqueness is something they fiercely protect.
“The job of a parent,” Ariel says with certainty, “isn’t to mold a child into a certain personality. It’s to let who they already are become a strength, not a weakness.” Their home is a tapestry of diverse personalities: one son is thoughtful and tender, another bold and fearless. One loves art and cooking, while another is obsessed with robotics. No two are the same, and that’s exactly how they’ve planned it.
“We celebrate what makes them different,” Michael adds. “They’re not supposed to fit into a box. Each child’s individuality is a gift we want to nurture, not stifle.”
Their homeschooling journey reflects this belief — they don’t teach out of fear of the world, but out of faith in their children’s potential. “We both grew up homeschooled,” Michael shares. “It wasn’t always easy, and we didn’t love every part of it. But it gave us something precious: time. Time to pursue our interests. Time to be together.”
On their farm, education takes on a different rhythm. Some days are filled with algebra and Bible study; others involve feeding cows, managing fences, or baking alongside Mom. “You don’t have to wait until college to explore what you love,” Ariel says, her eyes lighting up. “You can start now.”
That “start now” mindset is woven into every part of their parenting. Every child has chores, every child contributes, but it’s never about productivity — it’s about purpose. “We want our kids to feel needed,” Michael says with conviction. “They aren’t just tagging along in our life. They’re part of it.”
When exhaustion creeps in, they don’t see it as a burden but as a reminder of their meaningful work. “Being tired isn’t always bad,” Ariel says gently. “It just reminds us that what we’re doing matters. We’re giving everything to this family, and that’s a beautiful thing.”
The Tysons' days are full — especially considering Michael’s role as a pastor, which keeps him working weekends. But Fridays are reserved as sacred family time. Saturdays may still include school, but Fridays are for making memories. Family meals, laughter, faith, and shared chores bind them together. Their bedtime routines are dialed in — a necessity for a family of nine — but never rushed. “We make space for stories, for reflection, for rest,” Ariel explains.
Faith is the cornerstone of their lives. “It’s not something we try to fit into our life,” Michael says. “Our relationship with God is the foundation for everything — our parenting, our marriage, our work, and how we educate our kids.”
They read Scripture together as a family. Their children go to church with them. But while they guide their children, Michael is quick to point out, “Their relationship with God isn’t inherited. It’s theirs to choose and cultivate. It’s a personal journey.”
Their hopes for their children aren’t about perfection or performance; they are about faithfulness. “We hope they’ll be faithful — to what they believe, to the people they love, and to the promises they make,” Michael says. “If they can stay anchored in that, they’ll be just fine.”
In a world that often rushes, filters, and fragments, the Tyson family has chosen a slower, deeper, and more deliberate life. It’s not without sacrifice, but every decision they make is filled with meaning and purpose. “We’re not trying to raise perfect kids,” Ariel says with a soft smile. “We’re trying to raise whole ones.”
And on this farm, with its early mornings, laughter, shared work, and quiet prayers, that’s exactly what they’re doing.
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