So, you’re thinking about homeschooling. Or maybe you’ve already started but still wake up in a cold sweat wondering if you’ve completely ruined your child’s future. (Spoiler alert: You haven’t.)
Homeschooling can feel like stepping off a cliff into the unknown, and trust me, I’ve been there. The worries pile up fast. Am I going to fail my kid? Will they end up socially awkward? What if I can’t teach algebra? What if they want to go to college and I’ve somehow doomed them to a life of burger-flipping because I let them do math in their pajamas?
Throughout the years I’ve heard lots of different concerns coming from those who “could never homeschool” and those who want to make the leap but share one or all of these fears.
When I first decided to pull my kids out of school, I was terrified. I questioned my abilities as well as the impact on my kids. The fear of homeschooling was real! Let me tell you, the conditioning runs deep when it comes to the way society has drilled into us how kids “should” be educated. Notice how I put “should” in quotes?
If you stop and analyze your expectations of yourself and how many “shoulds” you are putting on yourself daily, you might just find that all these shoulds are keeping you from trying new things or making leaps to follow your dreams.
Take a deep breath. Let’s tackle some of the biggest fears of homeschooling—one irrational panic at a time.
1. I’m Not a Teacher!
Good news: You don’t have to be. Homeschooling is not the same as running a classroom. You don’t need a degree in education to help your kid learn. Think about it—did you have a certification in early childhood education when you taught them how to talk? Nope. And yet, they manage to chatter away just fine.
There are incredible resources available to help, from online courses to co-ops to textbooks that literally tell you what to say. And guess what? If you don’t know something, you can learn right alongside your kid. It’s called Google, and it works wonders. Our favorite resource is the library, and guess what?! That’s free too!
I hold a degree in Elementary Education and you wouldn’t believe how much I have had to unlearn in order to homeschool. I’ve mentioned in this post how sitting down and going through math lessons just wasn’t working with my kids. I don’t feel bad about this. I’m not a failure because teaching math to my kids wasn’t working. You know why? I realized that every kid and every family needs to figure out what works for them. That’s how we create life-long learners.
For us and our “almost unschooling” approach, we prioritize a little bit of math and language arts daily. Working on these skills are non-negotiable. The rest is child-led. We all get to choose what our priorities are for our own kids. The fear of homeschooling because you aren’t a trained teacher is easy to debunk!
Resources
For those wanting to teach traditional subjects, there is curriculum out there that literally provides you a script. Some of the better known ones such as Math With Confidence or All About Reading can be an amazing resource!
For those of us that prefer a more hands-off approach, you have more independent options such as CTC Math, Beast Academy, or even Mrs. Wordsmith’s language arts workbooks, which my kids love and aligns with my independent learners’ preferences.
These are just a few of the many, many options out there as far as curriculum that walk you through the teaching process or do a majority of the work for you.
Check out this blog post about the 3 Biggest Secrets to Homeschooling in the Elementary Years for more reassurance that it doesn’t take a certified teacher to homeschool your young kids.
2. My Kid Won’t Be Socialized!
Ah, the age-old “but what about socialization?” question. I get it—no one wants their kid to grow up like a hermit who only communicates in grunts. But here’s the thing: socialization doesn’t have to happen in a classroom with 30 kids the same age. It happens at the grocery store, the library, church, co-ops, sports teams, music lessons, playdates—literally anywhere people exist.
And let’s be honest, forced small talk at a school lunch table doesn’t necessarily teach great social skills. I’d argue that homeschooling gives kids better socialization because they’re learning how to interact with all ages, not just their peers.
Following an interest-led approach my kids have participated in a 3-D printing class, gymnastics, numerous co-ops, horseback riding, a crochet club, ice skating, piano lessons, seen many local plays, a book club, and more meetups than we can count. Through all of these different experiences they’ve met all sorts of kids that share similar interests. This has given them opportunities to socialize in a more authentic way then a classroom of same age peers ever could.
3. What If I Don’t Teach Them Everything They Need to Know (learning gaps)?
Guess what? You won’t. And neither do schools. No single education covers everything. What homeschooling does do is teach kids how to learn. Once they know that, they can figure out anything they need in life.
Also, I have a little secret: curriculums exist. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel here. People have already designed great programs that guide your kids from A to Z. And the worst-case scenario? There are tutors, dual enrollment programs, and community colleges. You’re not on your own.
While we personally don’t lean very hard on curriculum, I had to reach a point in our homeschool journey where I was able to observe how much my kids were learning without it before I felt comfortable letting go. It’s okay to shift and pivot as your journey unfolds.
4. Will My Kid Be Able to Get Into College?
Absolutely. Colleges love homeschoolers. They’re often independent, self-motivated, and adaptable—things universities actually look for. Many homeschoolers get into top schools with scholarships. Some even skip college altogether and go straight into entrepreneurship or trades. This is a viable option also!
You’ll need to keep records (which is easier than it sounds), but you’re not shutting doors for your child by homeschooling. If anything, you’re opening more.
If you have young kids, don’t put the cart before the horse. You have plenty of time to figure out the recording of credits and how to do college applications. Be reassured that when the time comes, it isn’t as complicated as it sounds.
5. What If I Burn Out?
Homeschool burnout is real. Teaching your own kids, or even just being with your kids, day in and day out can feel like a never-ending marathon. But remember, homeschooling doesn’t have to look like a Pinterest-perfect, color-coded, 8-hour school day.
It’s okay to take breaks. It’s okay to unschool for a season. It’s okay to outsource subjects that make you want to cry (hello, online math programs). Find a support system—co-ops, homeschool groups, or just other moms who get it. You don’t have to do this alone.
No matter what age your kids are, schedule breaks and opportunities for YOU time every day. Depending on the season, I find breaks in drop off co-ops, other homeschool moms, or even just a scheduled quiet time in the day where the kids play quietly in their rooms, and I take a breath. Showing your kids that self-care is important is never a bad thing.
6. Am I Making a Huge Mistake?
Every homeschool parent has this thought at some point (or many points). But here’s the thing: the very fact that you care means you’re probably doing a great job.
No educational choice is perfect. There will be hard days. There will be doubts. But there will also be incredible moments—when your child reads their first book, when they dive deep into a subject they love, when you realize your family actually enjoys learning together.
So, take a deep breath. You’re not failing. You’re not alone. And I promise, your kid will be just fine. Remember to lean on those around you for support. There is nothing wrong with asking for help (this is coming from the queen of trying to do it all on her own!) Most people are happy to help.
Now, go grab some coffee and remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place. You’ve got this.
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