Myths and Misconceptions about Homeschooling

Welcome back to the Super Simple Homeschool Podcast. I’m your host Jenny Hedrick, and Today, we are going to talk about some common misconceptions about homeschooling. If you are considering homeschooling or are new to homeschooling, you may be worried about some things or you may hear some of these things from others who don’t understand your decision.

Let’s jump right in, with this common fear…

Homeschoolers are weird.

You know what?

They are.

But honestly, isn’t that better? I mean, what is weird anyway? Weird because they talk freely with adults, or they like being with their parents and siblings? Weird because they have hobbies that kids in school don’t have time for? Weird because they haven’t yet learned that acting in certain ways is weird and they are comfortable just being who God made them to be?

Then yes, homeschoolers are weird, but it really is in the best possible way.

After all, if what we're seeing in the world is normal and the things that are happening

with our kids in the world with mental health, with identity confusion, if that's normal,

then I will take weird any day of the week.

All right, next, homeschoolers can't get into college with a homeschool diploma.

This is absolutely false and it is another common misconception about homeschooling.

In fact, many universities and colleges are seeking out homeschool graduates because they recognize that homeschoolers have better social skills and other soft skills. Wait, what? Did I just say homeschoolers have better social skills? I thought homeschoolers were weird because of lack of socialization. NOPE. Turns out knowing how to interact with people outside of your age group actually improves your social skills.

Homeschoolers are also known to have a more well-rounded education. They have more grit. That's actually the word that's being used in some of these articles is that homeschoolers have more grit, more critical thinking and ability to push through problems and solve them creatively.

We're not finding that in kids coming out of a public school system. So colleges are actually seeking out homeschoolers.

If by chance you run into a college that's having difficulty with the admissions

process because of a homeschool diploma, there are many, many resources out there that you can have access to to help you navigate that situation.

But by and by, most colleges love admitting homeschool graduates

The other thing I do want to say about this is, so what? Why are we so intent on sending our kids to college?

I understand that there was a time and a place when college, a college degree was needed for a good job and good pay and set you apart from the rest of the crowd as far as getting into a career.

That is just not the case anymore.

Most college graduates are graduating with loads of debt that they're never going to be

off and they're not finding jobs in their given field.

And so I think another thing about homeschooling is you get the chance to teach your kids alternative types of career paths.

So it could be trade school or starting their own business and you can really pursue those options as a homeschool family.

Now if you want to send your kid to college and they want to go to college and they're

choosing a career that requires a college degree by all means. But don't just assume that that is the end all be all for kids today because it really isn't.

Kids that go to college aren’t having better outcomes than kids who aren't.

I don’t have enough time to homeschool my kids.

Actually, homeschooling takes significantly less time than learning in a school setting. Think about it- Class periods are 45 minutes to an hour in school? This is because there is a lot of time spent on busywork while the teacher makes sure everyone is on the same page. In homeschool, you can cut out the busy work. Our lessons take 15-20 minutes each, and we are done by lunch every day.

Also, when you homeschool, you aren’t limited to certain days or times! You can get school done after dinner if that’s what works! You can homeschool on Saturdays or in July. Learning happens everywhere, wherever you are! There are no limits here!

Homeschooling is too expensive.

There are a lot of expensive curricula out there. But you don’t have to use them! There are also FREE curriculum or you can homeschool using books from the library and videos on YouTube! Add a homeschool notebook for writing summaries and you are good to go! I’ve got a whole episode and a couple blog posts devoted to making homeschool super affordable! It’s totally possible.

But I don’t have enough patience to homeschool my kids!

This is actually one of the phrases I hear most commonly from parents. And at least it’s honest!

But really? Join the club.

Like I didn't homeschool my kids because I woke up one day and was like, "man,

I am the most patient person in the world. I should homeschool my kids."

No, I homeschool my kids because I think it's the right decision for my family.

I think that God called me to do that.

Not because I think I'm so amazing and have all the patience in the world.

I don't.

I don't.

In fact, I would cringe if some of you were a fly on the wall and heard my lack of patience at times.

But you are not supposed to be perfect.

You are not being called to homeschool because of your perfection in every area.

You are being called to disciple your children and homeschooling is one way to do that.

So patience or not is not really relevant in this conversation.

Okay, this is the last one.

I'm not "blank" enough to homeschool my kids.

So like we said with patience, just fill in this blank.

Okay, maybe you don't feel organized enough or you don't feel smart enough or you don't feel “whatever” enough to homeschool your kids.

This is a lie.

100%.

Here's the thing.

God does not call us to parenthood because we are good enough! He does not call us to anything because of our own goodness! He calls us because He wants to USE us for HIS purpose, for HIS kingdom, because HE can do good things. Because HE can make all things beautiful.

Parenting and homeschooling will teach you like nothing else that you need Jesus.

You need to depend on God to get through your day.

You need to give your kids over to God and let him and the Holy Spirit work in their

lives and in their hearts to meet the purposes of your homeschool.

It's not up to you.

So, this, "I'm not “blank” enough to homeschool my kids. I'm not enough."

This is a pride issue.

This is based on the belief that you should be enough.

And you're not.

You were never meant to be enough.

You need Jesus and so do your kids.

And that is one of the most powerful things that you can teach them and show them by homeschooling them.

And you will learn it.

Trust me.

You'll learn it yourself if you go on this journey together.

And that's one of the great things about homeschooling is you're not only

getting a front seat to Jesus working in their lives, but you're also experiencing how he's

going to work in your life as well.

So don't worry if you're not BLANK enough to homeschool your kids.

You're not meant to be.

That's what God is for.

That's why he is there.

He is there to meet you with what you do have.

You know, he took five loaves and two fishes and fed 5,000 people.

You bring your basket of loaves and fishes every day.

And he will take that and multiply it.

You are not required to feed the 5,000 on your own.

That's his job.