Your Concerns About Homeschooling: Answered

We’re sharing the most common concerns that people have about homeschooling and answering them for you!

Common Concerns About Homeschooling

How will I find the time to homeschool?

You’re not alone if you’re concerned about finding the time to homeschool. Many families worry that they will struggle to fit homeschooling around their current commitments or full-time jobs — but remember, homeschooling doesn’t have to look like a six-hour school day. 

If you only have an hour a day to dedicate to homeschooling, that’s more than enough. What many forget is that it’s not about how long you have, it’s what you do within the time that you do have!

You do not have to follow a strict schedule or feel the pressure to adhere to the same expectations as a traditional school. Homeschooling is about doing what works for your family, whether that’s learning in the mornings, evenings, or on the weekends!

If you’re still struggling to find the time to homeschool, fit it in when you can and use time management tools like schedules and planners to help you plan your day. 

I don’t have the budget to homeschool 

Homeschooling can be done on even the smallest of budgets! With a wealth of resources at our fingertips, both online and around us, there’s no reason why we can’t homeschool for free or very little. Many educational websites offer affordable or even free resources, and libraries and museums are goldmines for learning for free. 

Check out: How to Home Educate on a Budget!

How can I homeschool when working full-time?

If you work full-time, or even part-time, you might wonder how you can fit homeschooling into your already busy schedule. But it can be done. 

Many parents choose to homeschool either before or after work because even if you have very little time, it’s still possible to balance work and home life. With homeschooling, a lot can be achieved in even half an hour or less. As mentioned before, it’s not about how much time you have, it’s what you do with it. 

Check out our post on homeschooling when working full-time for some great tips!

What if my child falls behind? 

It’s a complete misconception that a child can ‘fall behind.’ After all, falling behind is based on expectations set by the traditional schooling system, where everyone has to follow the same curriculum and keep pace with each other. This is not what homeschooling is about.

With homeschooling, there shouldn’t be any pressure to keep up with other children because every child goes at their own pace and everyone’s pace is different. We each have our strengths and weaknesses, but that doesn’t mean we are behind someone else. The same goes for children. Instead, we celebrate their successes and focus on their strengths and interests.

We like to say, a child is never behind; they’re exactly where they’re meant to be.

Can I homeschool all my children?

It may sound daunting but yes, you can definitely homeschool all your children if that’s what you’d like to do. The trick is having a schedule that works for your family. It may take some trial and error but, first things first, find your family rhythm and work out how each of your children learns best. 

You’re going to have to be flexible and adaptable, but just know that it’s perfectly fine for your children to have different learning styles. Always make sure your children are involved in any decision-making and get their regular feedback to make sure everyone is happy. 

My family doesn’t agree with homeschooling 

It can be really difficult when you feel so strongly about homeschooling but those closest to you completely disagree with it. Often this can create a lot of doubt, with many of us wondering if we’ve made, or are making, the right decision. What’s important to remember is that homeschooling is your family’s choice and your reasons for it should only matter to you. 

People will have their opinions and we can’t change that. But no matter what other people say, you know your child better than anyone ever could. Trust your gut and try your best to block out any negativity. You can always set boundaries with your family while also being open to discussions to help them understand your choice to homeschool. 

How do homeschooled children socialise?

Socialisation is always a common worry, but it seems to be more of a concern to those who do not homeschool. This is because people have been led to believe that children socialise better in a school environment. But is that really the case when children are behind the same walls and seeing the same group of people every day? 

Homeschooling is far from what its name simply implies — homeschooling exposes children to a variety of social situations and natural interactions, simply by doing your everyday tasks like shopping and travelling. 

So, if you’re wondering how to socialise your homeschooled child, think about how you socialise and how homeschooling lets you and your child get out and about as much as you please. 

If you’re looking for some great socialisation tips, check out our post on Home Education and socialisation.

How do I find time for myself when homeschooling?

One of the reasons why we choose to homeschool is to spend more time with our children, but that often means it can be difficult to find time for ourselves. Having your own space is important for everyone, so here are some things that you can do:

• Have your friends and family look after your children or take over homeschooling for a day.
• Share responsibilities with other homeschooling families.
• Include some me-time in your schedule.
• Have your partner take over when you need a break. 
• Send your children to clubs or extracurricular activities.
• Encourage independent play and learning. 

How can I keep my homeschooled children occupied?

Sometimes it seems that no matter what you try, you can’t keep your children occupied for long. Our answer? Patience and flexibility. We always suggest finding activities that are of interest to your child. If they get bored easily, switch it up with a different activity or a change in environment. 

Have patience when things don’t go the way you’d hoped, and try not to make it a chore. Often it’s easy to stress over keeping our children occupied, but you may find that when you’re not trying to occupy them, they easily occupy themselves. This is when you can take advantage of having some time to yourself. 

How do I respond to criticism and judgement about homeschooling?

There will always be some form of criticism towards homeschooling and those who do not agree with it — that’s out of our control. But what is in our control is how we respond to criticism and judgement.

Some home educators may choose not to respond at all, letting their silence speak for them. In fact, you don’t have to respond to any judgement or criticism. But if it gets under your skin and you want to respond, we all know that being assertive and confident works best. Just know that it’s better to be polite rather than bitter. You can still defend your choice to homeschool without being rude. We share some advice on responding to criticism and unexpected questions in our Beginner’s Guide to Home Education. 

My child isn’t at the same level as their peers

Remember, if you’re thinking that your child is behind their peers, you’re still following and worrying about the expectations set by the traditional schooling system. Your child doesn’t have to be at the same level as their peers because every child is unique and will learn at their own pace. 

A child that takes longer to master something is no less clever than a child that masters it quickly. All you need to worry about is that your child is happy and thriving at what they do best. Focus on their strengths rather than trying to improve their weaknesses. After all, we’re not meant to be good at everything. 

How do I motivate my child to learn?

Motivating your child isn’t always as easy as we’d like it to be. Just because we are homeschooling doesn’t mean that they always want to learn, even if it’s something they are normally interested in. 

The first thing to do is work out why your child might be unmotivated. Are they eating properly? Are they lacking sleep? Or is it more of an emotional block? Once you work this out you can start implementing some changes and see if it makes a difference. Here are 12 ways to motivate your homeschooled child!

I’m not a teacher, am I qualified to teach my child?

So you’re not a teacher — that’s perfectly okay! And surprise, you’re more than qualified to teach your child. Why? Because homeschooling doesn’t rely on formal qualifications. There are plenty of teaching aids available, both online and in the form of tutors. But, more importantly, you know your child best and together you will learn and develop the skills you need to thrive.

What about college and career preparation?

Despite homeschooling you can still prepare your child for further education and a career. In fact, many colleges and universities do not discourage homeschoolers. There is guidance online for applying to colleges and universities so you’ll always find the information you need. Homeschooling also enables you to focus on the skills that your children need in life, such as life skills and entrepreneurship. 

How do I manage burnout?

Homeschooling can be exhausting — it’s often full-on and can take a lot of planning. So it’s essential to realise when you’re experiencing burnout. Once you recognise the signs and know your limits you can take action to prevent it. 

Take breaks when you need them — this goes for your children too — and remember, it’s okay to have days off. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and get support from those closest to you. Share responsibilities and split duties with your partner. Having a homeschool community is also helpful because you can rely on other people and support each other. 

What if I don’t cover everything my child needs to learn?

It’s easy to feel the pressure when it comes to teaching our children all the necessary skills and subjects that they need to know. The question is, are they necessary for your child? Yes, basic maths and english skills are important, but in terms of other topics what might be deemed necessary for one child isn’t necessary for another. 

Homeschooling is about learning in the way that best suits your child and they can master skills as and when the time is right for them. Remember, in the UK you don’t need to follow the national curriculum, so don’t feel pressured to teach your child everything that they would normally teach in school. Instead, focus on what your child enjoys learning and what they’re good at.

If you feel like your child is struggling, review what is working and what’s not, and don’t be afraid to make changes.

Will my child miss out on extra-curricular activities?

If you’re worried about your child missing out on activities that they would normally have access to at school, fear not. You’ll always find clubs and groups that are tailored to your child’s interests. The beauty of homeschooling is that it provides more time for pursuing interests, and the flexibility of schedules means that you’ll always find something that works for your family.

What if I get overwhelmed or lose patience?

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and to even lose your patience when homeschooling. After all, we’re parents first, home educators second. On tough days remember to take a breather and have breaks. It’s okay to step away from homeschooling to have a day of self-care. It’s also okay to reach out to a homeschooling support group, or even delegate some teaching responsibilities to a co-op or tutor. Remember that homeschooling is a journey for both you and your child. Managing expectations and giving yourself grace can reduce feelings of frustration.

What if my child resists homeschooling?

For some children, homeschooling can come as a bit of a shock, especially if they’re used to traditional schooling or the social environment that comes with it. The transition can be quite daunting, which is why children may resist homeschooling to begin with. You can ease the transition by giving your child a say in what homeschooling will look like for them. Let them make some of the important decisions and trust that they’ll eventually start to love homeschooling. 

How do I separate homeschooling from family time?

It can be difficult trying to separate homeschooling from family time because they often feel inter-connected or get merged throughout the day. You might also find that you’re doing more of one rather than the other, so trying to find a balance can be a struggle too. 

To maintain boundaries between homeschooling and family time, stick to a routine that works for everyone and adjust it when needed. Make sure you have enough time to homeschool but also schedule in family time as well. 

You could also set up a designated learning space in your home so that your children know when it’s the environment for learning and when they can relax and have fun. 

Will my child face stereotypes as a homeschooler?

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about homeschooling which lead to stereotypes, such as the belief that homeschoolers are socially awkward or do not receive a “real” education. The important thing to remember is that you and your child should be confident and happy in your choice to homeschool, regardless of what other people may think or say. 

Homeschooling has become more mainstream and over time these stereotypes will diminish. People can already see just how much homeschoolers thrive. After all, there are countless success stories of homeschoolers excelling in academics and their careers. 

We hope we’ve answered some of your concerns about homeschooling. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment or send us an email and we’ll be happy to answer it!