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Today I want to discuss (and crush ?) some very common myths or lies parents (okay, let’s be honest… it’s usually us mamas) believe about homeschooling our children.
Ready? Let’s dive in:
5 Common Myths and lies about homeschooling
MYTH #1: I can’t homeschool
Or better yet…
“I’m not cut out for homeschooling and teaching my kids.”
Well, dear friend I’m here to tell you, that you are the BEST person for this role of teaching your kids.
Think about this for a second…
Who will love your kids as much you do?
*Anyone else hear the crickets??*
As parents we’re not perfect people, we might not know the answers to “everything” in this world, but guess what… neither do public-school teachers!
Listen— You are perfect for teaching your children. God knew who YOU were when he gave you, YOUR kids!
Remember that, okay? They are YOUR kids, meaning God entrusted in YOU to teach them and raise them.
God has given imperfect kids to imperfect parents. You are SO capable of homeschooling them!
MYTH #2: My kids won’t be “socialized”
I wish my grade school teachers who would always tell me, “we’re not here to socialize”, would PLEASE tell that to everyone who asks me about homeschooling and socialization.
But I get it. It’s such a common fear parents have when they start to homeschool and if that’s you, you are not alone in thinking this.
But if I can encourage you with these words and they are:
Your child WILL be fine!
I mean, unless you live in a cave and never step outside into society, your kids WILL indeed be socialized, I promise!
Neighbors, meeting new friends at the park, talking to the librarian at the library, or the cashier at the grocery store, or asking questions about WW11 to a veteran in your church, and even just speaking to YOU, their parent all day… yeah those are all “socialization skills” friends.
Now, if you feel like you just need “more” socialization for your kids; that’s okay! There are ways to do this!
You can find a good community of homeschooling friends that you can use to encourage each other, meet up with, have play dates, BBQs and do a homeschool play with.
Or, you can start your very own homeschool group!
Just make sure to pick the RIGHT community with like-minded homeschoolers. Be on the same page in your homeschooling styles (for the most part) or have the same family values.
If you’re worried about socialization for your children, these blog posts will help you:
MYTH #3: Homeschooling WILL BE too hard
Lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, LIE!
That’s a lie.
So you mean to tell me that your home is a good place to sleep, to eat, to grow, to hang out, to get well when you’re sick, (you fill in the blank)… but it’s not a good place to learn?
Hmmm…?
Let me ask you, WHY? Why do you feel this way?
If you feel this way, perhaps it’s because you’re making it too hard.
Maybe you’re trying to cram too much in each day?
Maybe you’re prolonging your homeschool days?
When it comes to homeschooling, remember not to overcomplicate it.
Don’t get sucked into the idea of a certain amount of hours or certain number of subjects “needed to be taught” every day.
Slow down, pick a few subjects a day, teach and learn with them and try and finish school by lunch if you can.
If you’re going past lunch time, what is the real purpose? How much can their minds really continue to pile on in ONE day?
Yes, they might “memorize a fact”, but how much REAL learning can truly be absorbed if they’re getting crammed with lessons for 6-8 hours?
You know the feeling if you were public-schooled.
Don’t let it get there in your homeschool. If homeschool has become too hard, then take a step back and revaluate your purpose and methods.
MYTH #4: I’m not smart enough to teach them, especially through High School
You might be thinking you don’t know enough or you’re not smart enough.
Or maybe you didn’t graduate from high school, go to college or get an A+ in Calculus or Algebra.
But have you been able to live on your own just fine without an A+ in physics?
Have you held a good-paying job, even though you didn’t memorize all the facts about the Presidents?
Can you grocery shop and take care of your home finances, even though you struggled in math as a child?
Then you’re smart enough!
And if you haven’t learned something that needs to be taught to your child, you can learn with them, get help from Mr. Google or some other form of help. It’s okay to ask for help!
MYTH #5: Homeschooling will take too much time and I won’t be able to get anything done.
Well, I don’t have a definite answer for this.
But all I can say is that you’ll find the time in your own, unique way.
Here’s my “loose housekeeping schedule” while we are in the thick of homeschooling:
- Start a load of laundry in the morning
- Do some school
- Kids have a break and I fold the laundry and do a quick cleanup of a room or two
- Finish school by lunch
- During lunchbreak is when I finish my cleaning to-do list before my hubs comes home. (dishes, more laundry, straighten up, etc.)
- After lunch the kids do their dedicated home chores (which helps immensely!)
- Get dinner started and then I have my free time until hubs comes home
- On our off day (which is every Friday), that is when I do my deep cleanings such as my bathroom, my bedding, or any other task that’s more in-depth, etc.
So how about you?
If you’ve ever struggled with any of these myths and lies, it’s time to crush them!
And just a friendly reminder— YOU were made to do hard things!
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