Andi Eigenmann shared an update on her family's life in Siargao, showing how her kids with Philmar Alipayo are enjoying homeschooling.
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In an Instagram Reel, the celebrity mom shared snippets of Lilo and Koa's homeschooling journey. "A glimpse of Lilo and Koa's 1st year as home/life schoolers! (AKA the 1st Semester)," she captioned the video. "We've done quite a bit of exploring this year, both in discovering more of ourselves and our abilities, and in exploring the wonders that nature has to offer."
Andi also shared that the kids are eager to improve their surfing skills and are growing more interested in nature.
"As they grow more keen on becoming better surfers, we are getting the chance to delve into life beneath the waves. And as our kindergarten involves a lot of tree climbing and fairy house building, as they get down and dirty, they are also learning a whole lot about fascinating bugs and animals, plants and flowers, and how to take great care (or make good use) of them," she said.
"On top of all of this, I am also proud of their progress as little writers and early readers. Sounds like a busy year for them, eh? It doesn't seem like so, when we let education thrive in the boundless expanse of the real world."
For Andi, homeschooling is the best approach for her kids, though she acknowledged that this is her personal view.
"This may not be your idea of the best form of education for your children, but this is mine. All educational paths are valid, and this is what we believe works best for my family," she explained.
"I embrace this privilege of nurturing their curiosity and creativity, and together we're creating a rich learning experience that allows us to focus on their unique qualities, and the incredible lessons nature has to offer. Most of all, ensuring that they are healthy and happy," she concluded.
Andi Eigenmann responds to criticism about her decision to homeschool her kids
Andi's parenting style drew praise from many followers, who admired how she's raising her kids close to nature. One netizen commented, "I grew up in the province, and all the memories of my childhood are stuck to [sic] my mind—thus what they call core memory. Those are the best days ever."
Andi replied, "Love this! Love how you remembered to mention the bloopers as well, they truly shape us too!"
Not all feedback was positive, though. One user suggested that it's better for children to attend a traditional school.
The commenter wrote, "Mas ok sa school talaga 'yung naka-uniform kasama mga classmates nagponytails hair at clif [sic] hinatid sundo sa school."
In her Instagram Stories, Andi addressed the remark, saying, "Not sure if my children will be legitimately miserable if they don't get to experience wearing a school uniform. But don't worry, in our homeschool, they not only get to wear their hair in a ponytail and a clip if they would like, but they will also learn to spell the word CLIP correctly."
Despite the criticism, Andi is committed to what works best for her family. She prioritizes her kids' academic growth while letting them enjoy unique island adventures.
Aside from surfing, Andi’s five-year-old daughter Lilo has also developed an interest in gymnastics.
Andi expressed her gratitude for the opportunities her kids have on the island. "Happy that they get to explore more of their abilities and interests with more classes and options available to these island kiddos," she said.
Discover the lifelong benefits of homeschooling here.