The 15 Questions New Homeschoolers Ask Most (Answered Honestly)

These are the questions I heard in year one and the questions I answer most often now, seven years later.

Some of them have simple answers. Some have complicated ones. All of them deserve an honest response rather than a reassuring one.

1. What if I teach something wrong?

You will. So does every teacher in every school. The difference is that you will notice it faster, correct it immediately, and your child will learn that adults make mistakes and correct them — which is a valuable lesson. The risk of teaching something incorrectly is vastly smaller than the anxiety suggests.

2. What about socialization?

Homeschooled children who participate in co-ops, community activities, sports, and neighborhood life are typically well-socialized. Homeschooled children who are isolated are not. The difference is intentionality, not the educational setting. See our full article on homeschool socialization for more.

3. What curriculum should I start with?

A simple one that you can actually do. Year one is for establishing habits, not for finding the perfect program. Most families who over-purchase curriculum in year one switch to something simpler in year two. Start with math and phonics/reading. Add everything else gradually.

4. Do I need a teaching credential?

In almost all US states, no. Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states and most do not require any credential from the parent. See homeschool legal requirements for specifics.

5. How many hours a day do we have to do school?

Far fewer than you think. Focused home instruction produces the same or more learning in two to four hours than a six-hour school day. The school day is padded with transitions, waiting, group management, and administrative tasks that do not exist at home.

6. What if my child falls behind?

Behind what? Behind a standard designed for an average student in a particular grade at a particular age? Your child will be ahead of that standard in some things and behind in others, just like every child in every school. Track growth over time, not position relative to a grade-level chart.

7. What about high school and college?

Homeschooled students are accepted to and succeed at colleges at rates similar to conventionally schooled students. Many colleges specifically recruit homeschooled students. The transcript and portfolio are prepared by the parent. Standardized tests are available at local testing centers. See homeschool high school for more.

8. Can I homeschool if I'm not a "teacher" type?

Yes. The qualities that make a good homeschool parent are patience, curiosity, and a willingness to look things up together. They are not the same qualities that make a good classroom teacher. Most homeschool parents are not "teacher types." They are people who know their children and care about their learning.

9. What do I do when my child refuses to do school?

Listen to the refusal. It is communicating something. See teaching the resistant learner for what that something usually is.

10. How do I know if we're doing enough?

If your child is reading, thinking, asking questions, and growing over time, you are doing enough. If your child is miserable, refusing to engage, and you are fighting every day, something needs to change — but "doing more" is almost never the answer.

11. What about extracurriculars and athletics?

Most community sports, music programs, arts organizations, and extracurricular activities do not require school enrollment. Homeschooled students participate in all of them. Some states also allow homeschooled students to participate in public school athletics.

12. Is it expensive?

It can be or it doesn't have to be. Many families homeschool well on a few hundred dollars per year using library books and free online resources. The families who spend the most do not necessarily produce the best outcomes. The library is the most underused resource in homeschooling.

13. What if I want to stop?

You can stop. You can enroll your child in school at any time. The decision to homeschool is not irreversible. Many families homeschool for a few years and return to conventional school. Some do the opposite. Both are valid.

14. What about my own free time?

This is the hardest honest answer: you will have less of it, particularly in the early years with young children. It is a real cost. Planning for it, building in regular breaks, and creating protected personal time matters. See homeschool self-care for how other families handle this.

15. Will my children be okay?

Yes. The evidence on long-term outcomes for homeschooled children is reassuring. They graduate, hold jobs, form relationships, and live full lives at rates comparable to everyone else. Many — not all, but many — describe their homeschool years as something they are grateful for.

The question underneath this question is: will I be okay? Will I do it right? Will I be enough?

The honest answer is: probably yes, if you are paying attention and willing to adjust. Start. See what happens. Adjust accordingly.