5 Powerful Reasons to Rethink Homeschooling

Homeschooling has grown in popularity over the years and it won’t go away any time soon. In fact, I don’t think it’ll ever go away! Just look at these statistics on the John Hopkins education website. It says that there’s been an increase in homeschooling in just the 2023-24 school year alone! Homeschooling is here to stay and for good reasons. Far from being a rigid or isolating experience, it offers flexibility, and creativity. When I was homeschooled back in the late 90s early 2000s, it wasn’t a really popular thing. I knew of only one other family who was homeschooling in our area. Needless to say, I didn’t hang out with many homeschooling families. But everyone had an opinion about homeschooling that wasn’t always true ie “Homeschoolers are weird because they don’t know how to socialize”. If I had a nickel for every time someone said that to me….I’d have like 100 nickels! Jokes aside, whether you’re a skeptic, curious parent, or just exploring alternatives, these insights will challenge the way you view education at home.

1. It’s Not Just About the Parents

Homeschooling doesn’t mean parents do all the teaching. That’s just way too much! Sure, you do most of the teaching and you facilitate what your kid learns, but many families use online programs, co-ops, or hire tutors for specialized subjects. It’s a collaborative effort that leverages community resources. This is one of my favorite aspects about homeschooling! And one of the best things about homeschooling in our day and age. Every homeschooling family should find a local co-op to meet up with! There are so many resources just at your fingertips…literally! You can look up a YouTube video about bird calls. You could ask Alexa how to say ‘umbrella’ in French! (It’s ’parapluie’ in case you were wondering) Not to mention all of the different kinds of curriculums that have come out in just the past 15 years! There are lots of religious and secular curriculums to choose from.

2. Socialization Happens Everywhere

Homeschoolers aren’t isolated. I mentioned in the previous paragraph that homeschooling families should find a co-op that they vibe with or just create your own! My sister started a co-op and she has 10 families come almost every week! Homeschool families could also join sports teams and volunteer groups. Oftentimes your local library will have some homeschool clubs or events just for homeschoolers. Many develop strong social skills by interacting with people of all ages. This is something that the parents need to be proactive about. This just doesn’t happen on its own. You need to go out and find these opportunities for your kids and model good social skills for them.

3. It Offers Freedom, Not Restrictions

I think this is a given and probably something I don’t even need to mention…but I will! Homeschooling provides the flexibility to customize education. Students can dive deep into their passions, progress at their own pace, and incorporate creative or entrepreneurial projects alongside academics. There are many different ways to homeschool your child! Just look at this post I wrote and you can read some different ways. When I was homeschooled I only knew what happened in schools from movies so in a movie they were doing a book report. I told my mom I wanted to do a book report and she said cool, do it! So I chose a book and did my report. I know many kids in public schools do this, but what was different here was I chose to do this report. I chose the book I wanted to read. I liked it so much I did two other book reports after that!

4. Real-Life Learning Counts

Homeschooling isn’t confined to textbooks or the four walls of your home. Field trips, hands-on experiments, travel, and real-world experiences are key aspects, making learning practical and engaging. Education can happen in the kitchen while measuring ingredients, at the store while budgeting, or in the backyard while observing nature. Teaching life skills are super big in the homeschooling world! Skills like cooking, financial literacy, basic home maintenance, and entrepreneurship are just as valuable as traditional academics. Homeschooling allows children to engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences that prepare them for adulthood, making every moment an opportunity to learn and grow.

5. It’s Not Just for “Certain” Families

Homeschooling isn’t limited to specific demographics. Families from all backgrounds, incomes, and lifestyles homeschool, showing that it can be a viable choice for anyone with the right resources and mindset. I know it’s been historically mostly Christian, white families, but according to the Home Education Research website, 41% of homeschool families are non-white in 2024. There are more and more people who are nervous for public schools and what could happen there. Like bullying, racism, or death. Homeschooling isn’t the answer for everything, but it is a good answer for a lot of families these days.

In Conclusion

In considering homeschooling for your family, it’s clear that this educational choice offers numerous benefits. From personalized learning and academic flexibility to stronger family bonds, a safer environment, and opportunities for real world learning. While it may not be the perfect fit for every family, its advantages make it a compelling alternative to traditional public schooling. By rethinking homeschooling, parents can explore a path that nurtures their child’s unique potential, fosters independence, and provides a truly customized education.

If you’re serious about homeschooling or still curious, here’s another post to help you get started on your homeschooling journey.

Have a blessed day!