9 Common Fears About Homeschooling (and Why You Don't Need to Believe Them)

Thoughts from a mom who never thought she'd be homeschooling.

Over the last few years since beginning this homeschool journey, I’ve talked with dozens of other parents who are intrigued by this lifestyle, yet certain fears prevent them from actually pursuing it.

I get it. I too was skeptical about homeschooling.

I still remember the day when a friend asked if I’d homeschool my young kids after resigning from my elementary teaching position, I confidently replied, “Definitely not, I’m pretty sure they’ll go to public school someday” (because that’s all I had known growing up as a child of a public school teacher and then one myself).

This lifestyle was foreign to me, I must admit, until I actually began considering it at the out of the blue request of my three-year-old daughter.

Now seven years later, we’re thriving in our homeschool journey and it’s one of the best decisions my husband and I have ever made. Not every day is easy or stress-free, but I feel confident that this life and education we’re giving our children is rich in many ways that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible if I listened to those fears that once held me back from considering this path.

In this post, I’ll share my thoughts and experiences with common fears that prevent many parents back from pursuing this lifestyle for their own family. It’s a big decision for sure, but one that we’ve personally found so much fulfillment in!

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9 Common Fears

1. Schooling multiple kids at once seems hard. One of the most common questions I get asked is “How do you teach several kids at once?” It can feel daunting and nearly impossible to imagine teaching different ages and levels at the same time, but it’s more natural than it sounds!

My day doesn’t feel like I’m running 4 different classrooms because of the family rhythms we’ve learned— my older kids learn to work independently, younger ones listen in to shared readings, and we all do certain subjects together (like Bible, science, and history), and each child gets 1:1 time with me for the core subjects.

2. I won’t ever have free time with my kids home all day. Homeschooling doesn’t mean you never breathe, never have time to pursue creative interests, or need to teach and entertain your kids all day long. It just means your time looks different.

The structures we’ve created, like quiet reading time, independent work, co-op days, or a simple walk to the park after lunch, gives everyone space. The real key to success, as I’ve learned from years of tweaking, is that you get to decide when those breaks happen, not a school bell.

3. My kids won’t be socialized. Growing up, I had a misconception that if you were homeschooled, you obviously lacked social experiences that were necessary for child and adolescent development. Today, homeschoolers have more co-ops than ever before, church groups, sports, extracurricular classes and clubs, and neighborhood friends. Kids learn social skills by interacting with people of all ages, not just 25 kids born the same year. Socialization happens naturally when life includes community, you just have to be mindful to look for those opportunities for your family.

4. I’m not a trained teacher. You don’t have to be! Homeschooling is less about credentials and more about a commitment to your child’s education. You know your child best. I’ve used and looked through so many homeschool curriculums and resources and the majority of it reflects an “open and go” model that anyone can follow, regardless of a degree.

5. I won’t have time for hobbies or part-time work. It’s true that homeschooling takes more of your time, but it also provides flexibility to make your own schedule. I’ve found that schooling in the morning hours and shortly after lunchtime gives me the ability to write, work on personal projects, or just have my own quiet time for several hours in the afternoon.

I’ve even had seasons where I worked outside our home for multiple hours each week, where we did our school time in the afternoon on those days. I have many friends who homeschool while also working part-time inside or outside the home. It takes some flexibility and is easier in seasons where you don’t have a baby in tow, but absolutely doable.

6. My kids won’t experience the fun parts of school. Speaking from experience as an elementary teacher for many years prior to homeschooling— I honestly think my own homeschooled kids do more “fun things” than my public school students did! Spirit days at co-op, countless field trips, co-op class parties, family day tips and vacations throughout the school year, and holiday celebrations with friends. The “fun” of school isn’t only found in a school building, it’s creating your own joy-filled experiences and family traditions while learning together.

7. We can’t afford to homeschool. While in nearly all US states homeschooling isn’t free (unless you live in Alaska and get a yearly stipend per child!), it certainly doesn’t have to mean expensive curriculums or monthly memberships in order to be effective. You can build a rich education on a budget with a library card, free printables and curriculums, used books, and community programs. Most families discover they spend less than they expected once they settle into what really matters and find what works for them. Now that I’m beginning to teach my 4th child, I’ve found so many ways to save money and reuse what we already have instead of buying brand new each year.

8. My child is too strong-willed to listen to me as his teacher. As a mother of a strong-willed child, I get this fear. Some days are hard, but that’s true for every parent, homeschooled or not. However, homeschooling gives you the chance to build cooperation, obedience, and respect over time. Even though we’ve had some rough moments that resulted in taking breaks from lessons or doing an alternate activity, I’m thankful for the experiences I’ve had to walk with this child through his/her struggles. When teaching feels hard, you have the ability to tailor your days to your child’s temperament so that learning becomes a relationship, not a battle.

9. Homeschoolers are weird. I don’t know how far back this myth goes, but in the last few decades homeschooling has become incredibly diverse, accepted, and even admired by many. It’s not uncommon to find homeschool families in every neighborhood, faith, and lifestyle. Just because homeschooled children don’t grow up with the same school-building experiences, doesn’t mean that they’re different in a bad or odd sort of way.

My own kids are quite social, know how to do countless life skills around the house, have more traveling experience than many other kids their age, and have daily opportunities to live out our faith values throughout our whole day— and if that makes them “weird” according to the world’s standards, than I’m thankful for it!

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I’m sure nearly every homeschooling parent starts with doubts. But the fears don’t mean you’re unqualified or that it’s an unwise decision, they mean you care deeply about getting it right. I’ve personally found that once I took the leap and embraced this lifestyle for my family, it was less about perfection and more about connection and growing together. Everyday I learn alongside my children, share in their joys, and grow in my ability to do hard things. Homeschooling isn’t about replicating public school at home, it’s about creating your own educational journey and focusing on what matters most.

If you have questions, fears, or other thoughts that are holding you back from homeschooling, I’d love to be in conversation with you. Homeschooling might not be the easiest option, but it’s the one that might bring the most connection and richness to your family. All you have to do is give it a try— maybe it’s not a forever kind of lifestyle and that’s okay too, but don’t let your fear of it prevent you from at least giving it a try if you’re curious.