It’s time for debunking common homeschool myths and getting you the REAL TRUTH about those homeschooling rumors so you can set the record straight for your family and relatives, nosy neighbors, and even yourself if you’re starting home school or wondering about switching to homeschool from public school is really like for education.
The Truth About Those Homeschool Myths You Hear Going Around
So Crazy Uncle Joe has been driving you insane with all those homeschool myths and facts and homeschool stereotypes and other things against homeschooling, huh?
Or, what about Nosy Neighbor Nelly who seems to have an abnormal interest in her petunias when the homeschoolers are playing outside during “normal” school hours?
Has she been getting in on the “common homeschooling myths” action and asking you about homeschool socialization?
And, how about you?
You may even have some misconceptions about homeschooling, especially if you’re new to this game (or just really, really tired).
Or, maybe you’re wondering about those homeschooling pros and cons and is homeschooling is better (or is being homeschooled going to ruin my life), right?
OK, calm down.
I homeschooled my daughter from preschool all the way through 12th grade in high school.
Let’s Set You (And Your Crazy Relatives) Straight On Common Homeschooling Myths and Common Homeschool Misconceptions That Everyone Thinks Are True (and talk about all those things you hear against homeschooling) and Give You Some Homeschool Encouragement!
What are the top 10 common myths about homeschooling and common misconceptions about homeschooling?
- Homeschoolers don’t get socialization (aka: homeschoolers will never know how to interact with other kids).
- Only religious, weirdo freaks homeschool.
- Homeschooling is illegal.
- Kids need the structure of traditional school to be successful and independent in life.
- You need a college degree or a teaching degree to homeschool.
- Parents who work can’t homeschool.
- Homeschooling is just regular school, but in your pajamas.
- It’s too expensive to homeschool.
- Homeschooled kids can’t play sports.
- Homeschoolers can’t go to college.
And, I lied, I’m going to slide one more in for a Top 11 homeschooling myths and homeschooling misconceptions.
(Consider it a “bonus myth.”)
11. Homeschooling parents need a ton of patience.
LET’S START WITH #11: HOMESCHOOL PARENTS HAVE A TON OF PATIENCE.
I wanted to start with #11 because it was a homeschooling myth that I believed before I started homeschooling.
And, because I’m not a patient person.
LIKE, AT. ALL.
(I barely even made it through writing this post.)
I’m so not patient.
In fact, I’m quite an impatient person.
That’s why before I understood how homeschooling works, this was a HUGE concern for me… until I realized that homeschooling is just like anything with parenting. Sometimes you’re going to totally rock this gig and other times you’re going to, well, suck.
(No judgment.)
Do I lose my patience while homeschooling over all these years?
OF COURSE.
(Everyone does.)
Do I also have amazing days of patience?
Yep.
I have those, too.
If this is one of your concerns and making you scared to homeschool, think about it this way: how do impatient people do anything in life?
How do they patiently stand in line, or take four-hour tests, or sit in a college class for an hour, or wait during an appointment to get their driver’s license updated?
(Because, let’s be honest, that drivers license thing will test the patience of Job.)
Impatient people just work within society’s patience parameter because it is part of life.
And, homeschooling is no different.
So, how hard is it to homeschool your child?
There will be days when you will be impatient with your homeschooler (and your homeschooler will be impatient with you) just the same as there are days when parents of traditionally schooled kids will be impatient with their kids during homework time or doing anything else as a family.
It’s all good.
No need to go away mad (forever).
HOMESCHOOL MYTHS DEBUNKED #11: YOU DO HAVE THE PATIENCE TO HOMESCHOOL!
(And, on the days you don’t, QUIET WORK TIMES or FIELD TRIPS are your friends.)
TOP 10 MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING PEOPLE STILL BELIEVE TODAY
Now, let’s tackle those top 10 common myths about homeschooling that homeschool parents hear.
We’ll give you the homeschooling myths and facts that prove it wrong.
(Or, at least I’ll make up something that sounds really, really good.)
(I kid. I kid…)
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING #1: HOMESCHOOLERS DON’T GET SOCIALIZATION.
This one is true. All homeschooled kids are shy, backward freaks.
Just kidding!
(It’s like you don’t even know me?!)
The social disadvantages of homeschooling probably makes up one of the most common myths about homeschooling.
And, the homeschool socialization myth is easily one of the top homeschooling concerns.
(It may even be one of your concerns if you’re new to homeschooling!)
To be honest, homeschool socialization was a big concern for me before I truly understood the homeschooling process.
How will I make sure that my social butterfly is being fulfilled and that she fits into society?
It weighed on my mind (and came with a lot of nagging questions from my husband that I couldn’t answer) until I came to a full understanding that I control what I do in homeschooling and how my child learns, including when to be with other kids in group learning situations like play dates or classes outside of the home.
If I want her to participate in the Wear Your Butterfly Wings to the Park day, we can do that.
If I don’t want her to join the Cook Bugs From Your Backyard class, that’s OK too.
(Because, HARD PASS on eating bugs for this family, but cool if you’re into that…)
What I’m trying to say is that you have full control of your homeschooling, too.
If you’re like most homeschooling families, your kids will have a great deal of group learning opportunities outside of the home.
Not only that, homeschoolers actually have a more real-life version of socializing where they are with a group of kids of all ages and stages.
(If you think about it, being in a room with kids of your exact same age is… unusual. That will never happen again in life like it does in traditional school settings. Weird.)
In addition to our at-home learning, my kid also participates in these classes outside the home: drama, music, literature, science, Spanish, martial arts, skating, cooking and more.
We also do random free class offerings through museums and businesses, field trips, and play dates or meet ups.
There are plenty of opportunities for my daughter to socialize throughout the week.
So, if you’re worried about homeschooling and social skills, don’t be!
(But, you should be worried about the exhaustion you’ll feel from running your kids to a million different homeschooling events.)
(Don’t say I didn’t warn you…)
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING #2: ONLY RELIGIOUS, WEIRDO FREAKS HOMESCHOOL.
There have historically been two polarizing groups of homeschooling families:
1. Christian homeschooling families, who homeschool for religious reasons.
2. Progressive homeschooling families, who prefer non-traditional educational methods that have nothing to do with religion.
However, there is a wider range in the homeschooling movement today, with many homeschool families falling somewhere across the entire line of reasons.
Go ahead, fly whatever homeschool flag your little homeschooling heart is comfy with, you will definitely find others with your same goals and beliefs .
::fist bump::
If you put in the time to find them, you’ll definitely find a squad that shares your beliefs, interests, and methods.
Also…
Why Are Homeschoolers So Annoying?
People who don’t know much about homeschooling sometimes assume that homeschoolers are made up of just a few unusual families here and there who are homeschooling for religious reasons.
(And, they use this as validation and one of the reasons not to homeschool.)
Some parts of society have this image that homeschoolers make up a very small percentage of people who look like they stepped out of Little House on the Prairie and isolate their families like “freaks.”
(And, of course, you should know by now that we aren’t freaks… we’re homeschool super freaks!)
(Digress.)
People tout these things as negative effects of homeschooling or dangers of homeschooling.
However, these people may be surprised to learn that homeschool statistics report there are an estimated over 2 million homeschoolers currently in the United States.
“According to the Washington Post, the number of homeschooled children in America has almost doubled from 1.5 million children in 2019 to up to 2.7 million in 2023.” [Source: Government Committee on Education & The Workforce]
That’s certainly not an insignificant number!
(And, if we’re all freaks, then there are a lot of freaks roaming around! YAY US!)
Out of the homeschooling parents who answered The National Household Education Surveys (NHES) program survey — which is the latest published aggregate on homeschool data — 64 percent reported “a desire to provide religious instruction” as their reason for homeschooling.
However, it was not the top reason parents listed for homeschooling.
A whopping 91 percent listed “a concern about the environment of other schools” as their reason for homeschooling.
Let’s recap:
- There are still many homeschool families who educate at home for Bible-based learning.
- There are also homeschool parents who teach religious studies during homeschool, but that may not be their biggest motivation for homeschooling.
- Other homeschooling parents do not consider themselves religious and do not homeschool for this reason nor incorporate this topic into their learning.
The point is this: no matter your belief system or reasons for homeschooling, there’s a place for you.
There is a great deal of diversity in homeschooling today!
We have homeschooling friends of all different backgrounds and affiliations.
You can learn a lot from each other if you open yourself to it.
(I mean, I’m super different and you’ve already ::eyerolled:: at me at least three times so far, but you’re still here. See how we can all get along?)
ALSO READ: Jokes About Homeschoolers: Why Are Homeschoolers Annoying? (A Top 10)
HOMESCHOOLING MYTHS DEBUNKED #2: HOMESCHOOLERS ARE MADE UP OF A DIVERSE GROUP OF FAMILIES OF ALL BELIEF SYSTEMS AND BACKGROUNDS.
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING #3: HOMESCHOOLING IS ILLEGAL.
Nah y’all!
You are NOT going to jail for legitimately homeschooling your child in the United States.
However, this myth has some basis in truth if you were homeschooling not so long ago in the United States, like in the 90s when you were probably collecting Beanie Babies and wearing fanny packs instead of homeschooling.
(We forgive you.)
So, is it legal to homeschool?
And, what are the homeschool requirements?
Get this (here are some homeschool statistics that will blow your mind): in some states, homeschooling was still illegal as recently as 1993.
(Weird, right?)
In Beanie Baby fanny pack homeschooling years, that’s not very long ago when was homeschooling legalized.
Now, homeschooling is legal in all 50 states in the United States, but laws vary by state.
(Have questions about when did homeschooling begin? Read about THE SUPER WEIRD HISTORY OF HOMESCHOOLING AND EDUCATION.)
Where is it illegal to homeschool?
Homeschooling IS illegal in some other countries (like Germany).
So, if you live outside of the United States or even are traveling for roadschooling, check the laws for your country.
HOMESCHOOLING MYTHS DEBUNKED #3:HOMESCHOOLING IS LEGAL IN EVERY STATE IN THE UNITED STATES.*
*But fanny packs may not be.
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOL #4: HOMESCHOOLED KIDS WILL NEVER BE DISCIPLINED OR INDEPENDENT.
Check this out: Harvard reported in The Crimson that “Harvard’s homeschooled students say growing up outside of a traditional school system was an opportunity for them to be flexible and self-driven.”
If someone doesn’t understand the process of homeschooling, they might question is homeschooling effective? and (wrongly) assume that homeschooling parents micromanage and dictate every moment of a child’s day.
(It’s just another homeschool misconception in the long list of homeschooling debate issues.)
But, hey!
Guess what?
Many homeschool parents allow their kids unstructured time to direct at least a portion of their own learning, which helps to create a level of autonomy, independence, and discipline.
An author on Education.com writes, “Preschoolers need unstructured time to learn how things work, solve problems, use their imaginations, and practice skills they’ve recently learned. And most of all, they need time to just be kids!”
ALSO READ THIS: Unstructured Play: How It Helps Kids Learn and Become More Successful in Life
A previous post on the Stanford.edu site further explains:
“Kids love unstructured time because they have the privacy to fail while taking risks or learning how to be a social primate. At recess, kids have nearly 100% choice over what to do with their bodies, with the safe assumption that in case an injury does occur, an adult on duty will be on the scene in due time. Provide kids with a rich, not necessarily antiseptic space to explore and they teach us a lot about ingenuity, inclusivity and learning through play.”
There is a great deal of learning that takes place when a child, even an older child, is allowed unstructured learning and free play.
Kids, in turn, become more responsible and more independent, which is some of the many positive effects of homeschooling.
And, it doesn’t suck all the fun out of learning!
(Don’t be a fun sucker, man. Just don’t do it.)
HOMESCHOOLING MYTHS DEBUNKED #4: HOMESCHOOLED KIDS ARE OFTEN RESPONSIBLE AND INDEPENDENT BECAUSE HOMESCHOOLING FAMILIES DON’T JUST FOCUS ON LEARNING, BUT ALSO ON LIFE SKILLS.
(That’s right. We totally rock.)
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOL #5: YOU NEED A COLLEGE OR TEACHING DEGREE TO HOMESCHOOL.
I’m going to let you in on a little secret that may blow your mind:
(Brace yourself.)
Ready?
OK.
As soon as our kids are born, they start learning!
As parents, we start teaching our kids at first contact with them.
(Mind. Blown. I know!)
But, it’s for real.
I wouldn’t lie to you.
(Not about this, at least.)
So, what Do I Need To Homeschool My Child?
You’re probably wondering what qualifications do you need to homeschool?
Or, you may have even asked, “How do I get certified to homeschool and become a homeschool teacher?”
But, GUESS WHAT:
You’ve already been teaching your child, even if you aren’t a homeschooling parent!
However, for some reason, as soon as we put a title on it (“homeschooling parent”), we get nervous and start thinking we’re not good enough (not smart enough, not educated enough, not fanny pack worthy enough, or whatever) to lead our kids in learning.
When, in reality, that’s what we’re doing every day anyway, no matter where a child goes to school.
So, when wondering, “What do I need to homeschool my child?” remember that you probably already have everything you need!
And, guess what else?
You can homeschool and you do not need to be a former teacher or have a formal college education or become a certified homeschool teacher to do so.
(Bonus points if you own a tin foil hat, though…)
With that said, there are many states that do require homeschooling parents to have some level of education (or other educational requirements) in order to homeschool.
For some states, the requirement is most often a high school diploma or GED.
ALWAYS CHECK YOUR STATE LAWS FOR THE HOMESCHOOLING REQUIREMENTS AND PARENTAL QUALIFICATIONS! (START HERE)
So, “teach” away with your degreed, or diploma-ed, certified, or GED self!
You won’t even get in trouble!
(And, if you do get into trouble, there’s always ice cream to make you feel better. You can even have it for breakfast. Ain’t nobody the boss of you…)
HOMESCHOOLING MYTHS DEBUNKED #5: YOU DO NOT NEED A COLLEGE DEGREE TO HOMESCHOOL YOUR CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES.
(But you do need to know that the Snozzberries taste like Snozzberries. If you don’t know that, you might want to reconsider homeschooling.)
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOL #6: PARENTS WHO WORK CAN’T HOMESCHOOL.
It’s true, almost all homeschooling families have at least one parent at home taking on the full-time responsibilities of homeschooling.
(It’s the parent that looks super exhausted.)
But, that does not mean that you can’t work and homeschool.
(Just ask another grown-up for permission first.)
BUT, homeschooling is not for the faint of heart.
It is all encompassing and that includes taking up a majority of your day.
With all of that said, there are those who work and contribute financially to the family—even single parents—while successfully homeschooling!
(Yes, you can be a single working parent homeschooling!)
Some homeschool families have both parents who work, and some single parent families work outside of the home while still homeschooling.
How homeschooling works for working families will depend on what kind of job the parents have and how flexible it is.
How To Homeschool When You Have a Full Time Job (or Homeschooling While Working From Home)
Here’s an example of how families work and homeschool:
- One parent works during the day and one works at night.
- The day working parent may homeschool from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and then hand off the kids to a family member, caregiver, or a co-op class.
- The second (late working parent) may then take care of additional homeschool activities or pick up the kids from their co-op class or caregiver.
- There are also single parents who work daytime shifts and then homeschool in the afternoon or evenings.
- Or, maybe the parent works at night and homeschools in the morning or during the day.
We have friends where one parent works only on the weekends, leaving them both at home to homeschool during the week.
So, when asking can I homeschool while working full time? the answer is YES.
(I’m working this very minute while homeschooling and have worked fulltime the entire 12+ years I’ve homeschooled.)
Because homeschooling is so flexible, it can fit around different work schedules for parents.
You’ll be tired, but — meh — who needs sleep anyway?
HOMESCHOOLING MYTHS DEBUNKED #6: THERE ARE PLENTY OF HOMESCHOOLING PARENTS WHO WORK AND HOMESCHOOL!
(They’re the super grumpy and tired ones at the homeschool group meet-ups. You’ll be able to find your people with no problem.)
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOL #7: HOMESCHOOLING IS JUST REGULAR SCHOOL, BUT IN YOUR PAJAMAS.
So what?
No, really homeschooling is NOT regular schooling, but—happily—you can do it in your pajamas if you want!
(I’m wearing my pajamas right now…)
Anyway…
Let’s first tackle the regular schooling part.
Homeschooling is not “regular school” or a mirror of public school.
In many states, parents get to choose their own homeschool curricula and method of learning, which can vary greatly from what is being taught in public school.
Even if homeschool families live in a state where they have to follow state-required materials, homeschool parents can still provide learning in the environment of their choice and supplement learning how they want.
So, homeschooling is not at all like regular public school.
Every homeschooler’s schedule and learning and experience is different.
READ THIS NEXT: Homeschooling vs Public School: Pros, Cons and Helping You Decide
Now, the part about the pajamas can be true.
(Pajamas are kind of the home school uniform!)
There have been many cold winter days where we didn’t have to get out of the house and my daughter did her studies in her pajamas.
(OK, that was a little white lie. Sometimes we just don’t feel like getting dressed. It has nothing to do with winter. Don’t judge.)
Does wearing pajamas while homeschooling impede her learning?
Heck no!
I’m She’s comfortable and I she gets to learn while being comfortable.
I would say sorry, but I’m not sorry at all that I homeschoolers get the benefit of this comfort.
HOMESCHOOLING MYTHS DEBUNKED #7: HOMESCHOOLING OFTEN LOOKS NOTHING LIKE REGULAR SCHOOL (BUT WE CAN LEARN IN OUR JAMMIES!)
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOL #8: HOMESCHOOLING IS TOO EXPENSIVE.
Dude. Who keeps filling your head with these lies?
(Side-eyeing Uncle Joe again.)
Homeschooling can be costly, but not so expensive that you cannot do it.
Public school, private school, and associated extracurricular activities can also be expensive.
So…
What is the Cost of Homeschooling?
(And, how much does online school cost?)
Just like any facet of raising a family, your expenses will be determined by your choices (like insisting that the cost of cable is worth it so that you can have the Bravo channel to watch Real Housewives science channels for learning).
For homeschooling, it will include decisions like what curriculum you use, any online and in-person classes, and what activities your kids are involved in outside of the home.
If your homeschooled kid is involved in a lot of paid classes or extra activities, your expenses will be higher (just like if a traditionally schooled kid is in a lot of extracurricular activities).
Multiple homeschool sources list that the average cost of homeschooling a child the first year is around $600 to $900. Your homeschool costs may be lower or way higher, based on your choices.
In my experience homeschooling one child, our cost was more than that, especially in the early years when I was buying aned trying curricula.
Homeschool can easily cost more if you factor in outside classes, homeschool activities, and homeschool programs.
Your first homeschool year will probably be the most expensive because you are just figuring it all out.
You may have a few trial and error purchases (curricula, books, online classes, etc.) before you find what really works for you.
One of the biggest expenses you will probably incur as a homeschooling family will be curricula and at-home courses.
There are boxed homeschool curriculum or online courses available that will make your homeschooling life easier.
However, these curricula and courses can run into a few hundred dollars for each kid or learning level (at the most expensive end of the spectrum).
On the other hand, there are many free or cheap resources where you can find homeschool curricula, study units, worksheets, and online reading that help keep homeschooling expenses down.
(Repeat after me: the library is your friend!)
PS: Free online public high school is not actually homeschooling, so understand the difference between homeschooling vs. schooling at home.
HOMESCHOOLING MYTHS DEBUNKED #8:THERE ARE MANY FREE AND LOW-COST RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR HOMESCHOOLING.
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING #9: HOMESCHOOLERS CAN’T PLAY SPORTS
I’ve heard this tale that some homeschoolers play sports.
Urban legend or true story?
You decide.
Anyway.
You may be surprised to learn that just because a child is homeschooled it doesn’t necessarily mean that he or she is excluded from participating in public school sports.
(I know, crazy, right? I should totally charge extra for the info in this post.)
(Or, you know, like, charge at all.)
So, how can homeschoolers play sports?
(I mean, beyond just building your own ball field like in Field of Dreams.)
Each state has the ability to determine if homeschoolers are eligible to participate in public school sports.
In some states, homeschoolers can play sports at public schools.
(You can thank Tim Tebow Laws for that.)
For example Arizona statute states, “Homeschooled students are allowed to participate in the public schools’ interscholastic activities ‘in the same manner’ as pupils who are enrolled in the public schools.”
However, there are other states that prohibit homeschoolers from participating in public school sports.
California statute specifically states, “California Interscholastic Federation prohibits homeschoolers from playing on public school teams.”
(Why all the hate, Cali?)
So, check your homeschool state laws if you’re interested in your children participating in public school sports.
(And, if you live in a state that says “NO” to homeschooled kids on their public school sports teams, just move.)
PS?
There are also many other options for kids to play sports when they are homeschooled: leagues, homeschool classes, community group sports, recreation leagues, traveling leagues and more.
(Shout out to Molly for reminding me to add this!)
HOMESCHOOLING MYTHS DEBUNKED #9:HOMESCHOOLERS CAN PLAY PUBLIC SCHOOL SPORTS IN SOME (SUPER COOL AND ACCEPTING) STATES.
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING #10: HOMESCHOOLERS CAN’T GO TO COLLEGE.
Most colleges today are happy to accept homeschoolers that meet the same enrollment requirements as traditionally schooled students.
So, how does a homeschooler get into college?
Very, very carefully…
Homeschooling families can create a homeschool transcript of the homeschooler’s work or provide an overview of the work that is more like a resume.
(Uh huh. Really.)
Just check with each college on their specific application process and and be sure to ask if they have specific college requirements for homeschoolers.
In some cases, a few homeschoolers may run into issues when applying to colleges because they may not understand transcripts coming from homeschool students.
But, it’s not your fault!
The problems seem to stem mostly from some colleges not understanding state homeschooling laws and inaccurately requiring homeschoolers to provide a GED (or other requirements), which has led to confusion and misinformation circulating that it is hard for homeschoolers to get into colleges and universities.
For example, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) discusses an issue where two Florida homeschooled students were told that they needed GEDs if they wanted to attend the local community college.
Once the HSLDA contacted the college and made them aware of the homeschooling laws, the homeschooled students were admitted to the college with no issues.
BAM!
Is homeschooling bad for college?
Many homeschoolers have found that they easily transition into college because they’ve spent some amount of time in independent study during homeschooling.
Additionally, the focus on life skills by many homeschooling families is of great service when a homeschooler goes off to college!
(YAY for knowing how to do your own laundry!)
HOMESCHOOL MYTHS DEBUNKED #10:HOMESCHOOLERS ARE REGULARLY ACCEPTED INTO ALL TYPES OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES–INCLUDING IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS (from Homeschool to Harvard)!
In all seriousness, I really hoped this helped you feel better about all those homeschool myths after reading this.
