Debunking Homeschool Myths
There are many very common homeschooling myths that I hear all the time that I want to debunk for you.
There’s no reason that people should have to feel like they have to take sides and choose homeschooling vs. public schooling or public schooling vs. private schooling.
Myth #1: Homeschooled kids are socially awkward
Socialization is often a buzzword surrounding the topic of homeschooling, but is it really such a major issue for homeschoolers? No, it is not.
When a child goes to school and sits in a classroom of peers of exactly the same age, that is not socialization – that is forced association, which is very different.
I think what people really mean is how will your kids make friends? How will they learn to behave in a way that is socially acceptable to society?
That’s just going to happen by growing up and being a human. Whether learning at home or learning at school, your children are going to learn how to socialize and behave in a way that’s acceptable within society no matter where they go to school.
In an article from USA Today it says, “Other studies have begun chipping away at the conception of home-schooling as socially stunting students – research shows that on average home-schooled students routinely participate in eight social activities outside of the home, and typically consume considerably less television than do traditionally-educated students. They are also more likely to have higher self-esteem and be less susceptible to peer pressure.”
We’re not homeschooling our children so that they don’t make friends, or don’t get out and do things. Our children get out all the time. They interact with people.
Homeschooled children are interacting with people in home schooling groups, Sunday school, friend groups, co-ops, classes they take at the YMCA, and sports.
A lot of times if a homeschooled child is more introverted, shy or quiet, people blame it on homeschooling. But think back to your experience in public school or private school – were there not children who were a little introverted, shy, quiet, weird … a little strange?
Of course! And children who are shy and introverted are going to be that way whether they’re homeschooled or in public school. It’s just diversity in humans.
Homeschoolers are expected to be outgoing, extroverted, academically excelling children, when in reality it’s just like in public school. There are children that struggle, children that excel, children that love to be around others and children who just want to stay in their own little bubble.
One of my favorite memes is when people joke around about homeschoolers and socialization and they flashback to Don’t you remember your teachers in school telling you, “You’re here to learn, you’re not here to socialize.”
Socializing, maintaining friendship, learning how to behave — all those things can happen no matter which environment you are schooling your children in.
Myth #2: I don’t know enough to homeschool my kids
So you’re saying that you went all the way through the public school system and you left not feeling that you learned enough to adequately share that information with another person? You didn’t learn much, but that’s where you want to send your kids because you trust that they’ll learn what they need to?
It’s kind of mind-blowing when you think about it that way.
One of my favorite parts about homeschooling is getting to relearn things at a time in my life when I’m really interested in them and want to know more. I am learning alongside my children every day.
I might remember when we talked about something when I was in school, but just didn’t retain it at the time because it wasn’t something that I was interested in. Studies have proven that you can memorize something long enough to pass a test and then forget about it. The things that you’re really interested in are the things that you will retain for the most part.
You do not have to know everything about everything to home school your children. If you have a child that is very academically advanced, you might feel like this kid is smarter than you and you cannot help them. They may even be struggling in school because they’re too smart for what they’re doing in school.
There are so many resources available for children and there are many ways to fill in the gaps of things you don’t know. You are going to learn along the way.
The Khan Academy is one of my favorite resources. It’s totally free and there are so many advanced level classes on there. Just because you’re not an expert in something, doesn’t mean you can’t teach it to your kids.
Remember that especially in the elementary years, it is all very basic. They often need to hear something three times before they really retain it. That’s why a lot of the history curriculum is very cyclical. You’ll do three to four years and repeat the same time periods again, so it helps the child retain the information. So don’t feel like you have to know everything to be able to home school your kids well!
Myth #3: Homeschooling is expensive
Many people think that homeschooling is too expensive. They think they need things like a home classroom setup, a closet full of activities, or be able to afford to travel and go on field trips. These things are not necessary.
For homeschooling you really just need two things: a pencil and library card. You DO NOT need all of the stuff!
I’ve been home schooling for many years now, so I’ve collected many resources over the years, but they are not required in any way.
There is also a lot of wonderful online curriculum that is totally free:
I would also encourage you to check out used book stores and used homeschooling stores where you can buy curriculum for a lot less. It doesn’t have to be expensive.
And you certainly do not need to have a homeschooling room. You can just do it at the dining room table, at the coffee table, sitting in front of the couch, or on a clipboard in the car while you’re out and about. There are so many ways to make it work into your life whatever your situation or budget is.
You could spend a fortune on homeschooling but I never want someone to feel like you have to do all the things that I do. I’m at a place in my life where we can, but it hasn’t always been like that. Homeschooling was very basic for us in the beginning years.
Your kids need to just get out in nature. You don’t have to go to expensive children’s museums; you can go for a hike in the woods. It’s totally free – just bring a water bottle and you’re good to go!
There are so many amazing options that I don’t want anyone to feel like a lack of money or not having a big house should be a reason that stops them from homeschooling if that’s what they want to do for their family.
Myth #4: Homeschooling a high schooler is intimidating
I admit the idea of homeschooling a high schooler can be very intimidating, but it is absolutely possible. There are many homeschooled children that are excelling at high school.
A lot of times people will ask me, “But if you homeschool for high school, can your kids go to college?”
Yes, they absolutely can. There is also some speculation that colleges prefer homeschooled kids to public schooled kids.
Here is more from the article in USA Today to clarify this topic about high school, college and homeschoolers:
“Research shows that home-schooled students are certainly capable of adjusting to the college curriculum academically – home-schooled students generally score slightly above the national average on both the SAT and the ACT and often enter college with more college credits. Studies have also shown that on average home-schooled students have higher grade point averages in their freshman years and have higher graduation rates than their peers.
In addition to academic competence, research also asserts that home-schooled students are able to cope well with the emotional transition to college.”
Whether you homeschool, public school or private school, these are all transitions of life. They’re going to be difficult on your child in various ways no matter what kind of schooling choice you have made.
An article from Business Insider states:
"The high achievement level of homeschoolers is readily recognized by recruiters from some of the best colleges in the nation," education expert Dr. Susan Berry recently told Alpha Omega.
"Schools such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard, Stanford, and Duke University all actively recruit homeschoolers," Berry said.
The real value lies in what the added freedom of homeschooling allows students to do with their time.
Contrary to popular belief, homeschoolers are not shut-ins. Research suggests that homeschooled children actually gain closer ties to their community, relating to people outside of their grade level. Homeschoolers learn to become active participants in their neighborhoods and soak up the etiquette of adult life in the process.
Parents facilitate this intimacy with the real world in a way public education rarely achieves.”
It’s not that homeschooled kids are so much smarter. The reason colleges often seek them out is because a lot of the things that high-level colleges are looking for in a well-rounded student can often be more readily found through homeschool. When homeschooled children are doing their school for just a few hours a day, they have the freedom to plug into their community, jobs, and other things they care about.
To sum it up, there are benefits to both – there are benefits to public school and there are benefits to homeschool. Just because something is different from the way you grew up or the way that you do things, it doesn’t make it bad or wrong. It’s just different.
If you have any more thoughts to add, or want to share your experience with these homeschooling myths, please comment below!