homeschooling myths and misconceptions

What are some homeschooling myths and misconceptions?

There are tons of homeschooling myths and misconceptions!
Some of which, I have even fell victim to! Here are the top myths and misconceptions that I’ve encountered, whether it be something people have brought up in conversation or something I believed before I educated myself on homeschooling.

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#1 Homeschoolers are unsocialized.

Myth!

This is the biggest myth that most people I’ve spoken to have about homeschooling. Admittedly even I believed this myth before we started homeschooling.

While it’s possible that some homeschooled kids are lacking socialization, this can also be true for kids that attend public school. I can think back to my experience in public school and remember plenty of kids in school acting weird or odd and/or having no friends. Shoot, even I had my moments as the weird kid. However, in my encounters with homeschooled kids the majority of them seem to be plenty socialized and actually interact with others quite well.

Homeschooled kids have the opportunity to socialize regularly with people of all ages and not just the children that are of the same age and grade as they would in public school.

Check out: Ways to Socialize Your Homeschooler

Check out some statistics on socialization and more at the National Home Education Research Institute!

#2 Parents need to know everything to homeschool.

Myth!

No! Parents do NOT need to know everything to homeschool their children! This is especially true for those elementary years.

In today’s world there are SO many resources and guided programs for parents to use to teach their children, all the parent really needs to know is how to read. The Language Arts curriculum we use is scripted, meaning it tells you exactly what to say. Of course with the freedom that homeschooling provides you can choose to alter any curriculum to fit your needs or even make your own curriculum if you feel confident enough to do so!

Parents do not need to know everything to teach their children at home, all they need is to have love, encouragement and dedication for their children and their education.

#3 Homeschooling takes too long.

Myth!

No! While yes you will likely need to spend more time educating your child than you would if you sent them to school, it truly does not take that long! It actually takes much less time for the child to be homeschooled than if they were to be sent to public school.

Of course the time you spend on homeschooling depends on the curriculum you’ve chosen and the child your educating.

For my children for grade Pre-K we spend about 30min. For 1st grade we spend about 1 hour at the table together. Looking at, 3rd grade, I spend about 1 hour with her as well, although she spends a little additional time on independent work. At about 3rd grade your child starts to become more capable of learning things with less help from the parent.

A typical third grader begins doing slightly more work and learning slightly more complex things, but they are also more capable and equipped to learn these things with less help from the parent.

For a more detailed idea of how much time we spend each day/week on homeschool check out this article I wrote explaining what homeschool looks like for us!

#4 Only extremely religious families homeschool.

Myth!

This is definitely not true! While I’m not sure how the rest of the country or world compares, in the small, rural Nevada town we live in, there are plenty of homeschoolers who are not extremely religious. I will admit that a lot of the families in our homeschool community do seem to have religious backgrounds, it is not something that I’ve seen pushed onto other families. There isn’t any one going around asking “do you believe in God? If not, you can’t be a part of homeschooling”

And honestly, whether they’re religious or not, all of the homeschooling families I’ve met have been the kindest, most wholesome people involved in my children’s lives.

#5 You have to have a lot of money to homeschool.

Myth!

It is a total myth that you need to have a lot of money to homeschool! I even heard my husband saying this the other day.

There are tons of curriculum that are very low-cost or even free! And I don’t just mean companies who make an inferior curriculum and put it out there for cheap so people will buy it. You can find good quality, structurally sound curriculum for cheap or free!

For example one of the curriculum that we use for Language arts, is a thorough, rigorous and advanced curriculum, and they offer a PDF version completely for free! We personally choose to purchase the physical books, as they are so worth it!

So many of these curriculum companies truly put products out there for the goodness of the families and children!

#6 You have to have a large house or separate room to homeschool.

Myth!

No, you do not need a big house or a separate room designated for your homeschool.

My family has lived in 3 different houses since we’ve begun homeschooling, all varying in size. In one of these homes we even had a large, separate family room that I completely converted into a homeschool room for my kiddos. It didn’t take long to realize that we simply prefer to homeschool at the kitchen table, (and other random places).

So, I’ve experienced both ends of this, big fancy homeschool room, and the kitchen table with a simple shelf nearby. If we had the choice today we would still prefer the simple shelf near the dining table. Lots of people like to homeschool in “unorthodox” locations, such as: on the living room sofa or on the front porch! You will find where homeschooling is most comfortable for your family, and it doesn’t always have to be what you originally envisioned.

#7 Homeschool kids are sheltered.

Myth!

Not all homeschool kids are sheltered. While yes, some homeschooled kids are probably sheltered, most of them are not. I love that I get to choose how and when to expose my children to the harsh realities of the world. I do not however, shelter them from these things. Personally, I believe that it is important for their development to know and understand the dynamic of things going on in the world, both good and bad. It’s a privilege that I get to help them take in and understand these things. I get to have conversations and discuss these things with my kids first, before other children who do not understand them get to sway their opinions.

#8 Homeschool kids are weird.

Myth!

This is a myth that I admittedly adopted when I was young. I remember thinking that the homeschool kids I encountered were weird. They would run and play and be silly without worrying about others making fun of them. I thought that was weird. As I grew I began to realize that they were actually given the freedom to be themselves with out feeling like they need to suppress their personalities. It was actually me having to suppress my weirdness in fear of judgement of other kids. I’ve met them again as adults and you’d never know they were homeschooled!

Whether your child is homeschooled or public schooled, there will always be “weird” children. I remember all the “weird” kids from elementary, middle, and high school. But why? Why were they weird? They are socialized with all the other public schooled kids. My point is, that regardless of where a child attends school, there is always weird kids.

To be completely honest, I think we’re all weird, in our own way.

#9 Homeschoolers never leave the house.

Myth!

This couldn’t be further from the truth! As homeschoolers we are constantly exploring our world around us! There is so much for homeschoolers to do outside the home.

While we don’t spend all day, every day out-and-about, in the same way school kids do we aren’t confined to a school house all day everyday either! We have more freedom to do what we’d like, go where we want, learn about anything. We visit museums, parks, libraries, beaches, and so so much more.

Coming soon: 30 things to do outside the home for homeschoolers.

#10 I could never homeschool.

Myth!

Whatever the reason is that you think you couldn’t possibly homeschool, just know that you can do anything you put your mind to! Truly! I believe that you can homeschool too, so long as you are dedicated and have a true passion for your child’s education and wellbeing. There are so many resources for homeschoolers, and tons of support.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against people who send their children to school! I do not think they lack the dedication and passion for their children’s education. I just think these are the main things you need to be successful in homeschooling. You just have to care enough to do right by your child, whatever that may be.

I know how it feels to feel like you aren’t cut out to teach your children at home.

I used to say “I couldn’t homeschool, I just don’t have the patience!” I thought other homeschool moms were so patient and perfect, and that just wasn’t true. We all lack patience at times, and we’re all much less than perfect. There is no “ one mold fits all” when it comes to homeschooling. Every single homeschool family do things differently. Through trial and error, I found a routine that works for my family. Also, through homeschooling my patience has grown, and I actually enjoy spending time with my kids while they learn.

#11 Bonus: Homeschooling is for everyone.

Myth!

On the flip side, homeschooling is not for everyone! While I do think that anyone who wants to homeschool usually can, not everyone should! There are so many different reasons why homeschooling isn’t for everyone. Just to list a few: disinterest, lack of support, and abusive home environment.

Check out 5 reasons why homeschooling might not be for you!