Common Myths People Believe About Homeschooling

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There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about homeschooling. 

For example, some people think homeschoolers are weird or that homeschool families must be religious zealots. However, homeschooling is a valid educational choice for any family, regardless of their religious beliefs (or lack thereof). And just like any other form of schooling, homeschooling has pros and cons. This blog post will debunk some of the most common myths about homeschooling and offer advice on dealing with naysayers.

We are going on our sixth year of homeschool. Every year I grow more and more confident in the decision we have made for our family. However, this journey hasn’t been without criticism from others. Some say my children will be awkward and anti-social, unable to socialize with their peers. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I tell these people to spend a day with my 9-year-old and then get back to me. Other people have told us we shouldn’t use homeschool- without explaining why. Regardless of what others have said, I know we made the right decision. 

If you are on the fence about homeschooling because of the myths, others keep toting, read on! You may be surprised at how very untrue these myths are. 

Why are more and more people choosing homeschool?

There are a lot of reasons why families homeschool their children. Some parents choose to homeschool because they want more control over their child’s education. Others may feel that the public or private school system isn’t meeting their child’s needs, academically or socially. And still, others may believe that homeschool is the best way to prepare their child for college.

No matter the reason, homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular choice, with more than two million students being homeschooled in the United States in 2020. This number has increased post-pandemic. 

When a family chooses to homeschool, sometimes they will be met with criticism.

There are still many people who are afraid of homeschool. I think because it is different. When we started our homeschool journey, my husband told an acquaintance that we homeschooled our preschooler. He responded, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” He didn’t know us; he didn’t know our family or our daughter. But he had the common misconception that homeschooling was a bad idea across the board. 

Why? I don’t know. Homeschooling works for our family. It might not work for you, but that is okay! Homeschooling is one size that does NOT fit all.

But as homeschool rises in popularity, it’s becoming more apparent that some misconceptions are frivolous.

Myth: Homeschooling is hard.

Fact: homeschooling can be as complicated or easy as you make it. If you want to do a lot of hands-on activities and unit studies, it may be more challenging than if you wish to use a curriculum and let your child follow along. But either way, it’s up to you. There is no one right way to homeschool. In my experience, I love to homeschool my kids! It doesn’t feel hard to me.

Myth: I need to be an expert in order to homeschool.

Fact: You don’t have to be a homeschooling expert to teach your children at home. Many homeschoolers are self-taught. Plenty of resources are available online and in libraries to help you homeschool successfully. And if you’re ever feeling overwhelmed, homeschooling groups and co-ops can offer support.

Myth: My kids will be social outcasts.

Fact: Homeschooled children are just as likely to be social as other children. Homeschoolers often have more opportunities to socialize because they have more time to participate in Scouts, sports, and arts programs. And many homeschooling groups offer socialization opportunities.

Myth: Homeschooling will isolate my kids from the world.

Fact: homeschooled children are just as likely to be exposed to current events and the world around them as any other children. Homeschoolers often have more opportunities to travel and participate in community service projects.

Myth: I won’t have time to homeschool.

Fact: Homeschooling can be part-time or full-time, depending on your family’s needs. Many homeschool parents find that they have more time to homeschool when their children are out of school. So there is no need for long bus rides, early morning drop-offs, or late afternoon pickups. Some homeschoolers school in the evenings, after work, in early mornings, and even on the weekends. 

Myth: My kids won’t learn anything.

Fact: The homeschooling movement has been growing steadily for the past few decades because homeschooled children often outperform their peers academically. Many homeschoolers go on to homeschool their children.

Why do homeschoolers typically outperform their peers? First, homeschooling families often have higher educational expectations for their children. In addition, homeschoolers usually receive more individualized attention and can move at their own pace, which allows them to learn more effectively.

Homeschooling is not as hard as people think; you don’t need to be an expert to do it, your kids will not become social outcasts, and they will still learn just as much (if not more) as if they were in public or private school. 

If you consider homeschooling for your family, research, talk to homeschoolers, and decide what type of homeschooling will work best for you. Homeschooling is a great way to customize your child’s education and have more control over what they learn. And as homeschooling becomes more popular, the misconceptions about it will continue to disappear.

What are some of the misconceptions you’ve heard about homeschooling? Let us know in the comments!

Homeschooling is a great way to customize your child’s education and has many benefits. So don’t be discouraged by these myths if you consider homeschooling your child. 

Instead, do your research and find out what homeschooling is all about. You might be surprised at how well it works for your family!

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• Connect With Your Child and Build Up Their Heart

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