In this post
When people hear the words home education or homeschooling, they often imagine kids sitting at the kitchen table all day, isolated from the world, or parents struggling to teach every subject like professional teachers. But is that really what home education looks like?
There are a lot of myths about homeschooling, and many of them simply aren’t true.
Some people think homeschoolers don’t have friends, that parents need a teaching degree, or that homeschooled kids miss out on opportunities. But the reality is often very different—and much more exciting!
In this post, we’re going to bust some of the biggest myths about home education and uncover the truth about what it’s really like.
Whether you’re curious about homeschooling, considering it for your family, or just want to know more, let’s dive in and separate fact from fiction!
Enjoy and don’t forget to comment at the end, I love hearing from you and subscribe to get access to FREE printables, newsletters, the latest posts and more.
Children at school learn faster FALSE
My children have never been to school, like many others. Whilst some other children have been in the school system and are now home-educated.
The truth is that all children learn differently and at different rates. I truly believe a child who chooses to learn will take in more information than a child forced to learn.
You must stay at home FALSE
In our family, we believe in a child-led approach.
This means they let us know what they want to learn, and we find a way to get that knowledge to them.
This could be a day out, private tutors, a movie, joining a club, good old Google, workbooks, or even just chatting about it!
There are so many ways for children to learn.
You can absolutely sit and work at home, but I personally don’t know any home edders that do that all of the time.
Home Educating is expensive FALSE
Home education is as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be.
You choose what you do, where you go, and what you sign up for, and you are in control of the costs to your family.
There are loads of free resources out there and a wonderful community of home educators.
They won't get qualifications FALSE
They absolutely will.
When they are good and ready, they can take exams.
You can attend college, university, private tutors, etc, to achieve this.
We have some wonderful tutors.
I can't drive, so I can't home educate FALSE
The truth is I couldn’t drive till I was 28.
Again there are lots of home-ed families that don’t drive and manage by other transport.
Kids love buses, trains or riding their bikes to events and groups.
We are all one big happy family, and you will find others are happy to help out if you struggle with transport.
I have to work FALSE
Yes, So do I.
There are hundreds of home-educating families that work and home-educate.
In some families, both parents work.
In some, one parent works but whichever it is, it doesn’t matter.
What matters is they are doing what’s best for their children, not what’s easy, because hell no, working and home educating is not easy.
But it is the right thing for the home ed families.
If you think you would love to home-educate but couldn’t because you both work,
Think again.
You must be smart to teach your children FALSE
I have a wonderful home ed friend of mine I have known for years. And when we first met, she said, “I don’t teach my children, I facilitate.”
I have been saying the same words ever since.
It’s exactly what we do as home ed parents.
I am on a learning journey with them, and it is the best thing I’ve ever done.
Your children won't socialise FALSE
We are rarely in, and even if we are, the children are out playing with their friends.
They have friends of all different ages, sexes and races.
Some school children and some home educated.
This is real life, the truth is, as adults, we don’t only socialise with people our age, do we?
No, of course not. So why are we expecting our children to?
The one thing I never worry about is if my children are socialising enough.
Are you allowed to home educate? Yes
Educating your child at home – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
In the UK, teaching your children from home, aka home education, is perfectly legal.
You do not need to give the government any specific proof you plan to home-educate.
If you have children in school and you wish to home educate them, you are perfectly within your rights to do this.
You will have to notify the school and other possible contacts as long as you provide your children with an education whether that’s Charlotte Mason, unschooling, school at home or any other method you are fine with.
I have chronic pain So Do I
I have suffered from chronic pain for 25 years, and I have up and down days.
But I have a wonderful group of friends and family that can help out with groups or anything else.
Don’t be afraid to rely on your friends for help.
It can all be done.
It’s not easy, but life with chronic pain is never easy.
If you struggle with pain, I have lots of helpful posts and resources. Please check them out.
Bee's Final Thoughts
Home education isn’t what many people think it is. It’s flexible, social, and full of opportunities.
While there are challenges, just like with any form of education, homeschooling allows families to create a learning experience that works best for them.
Hopefully, this post has helped clear up some common myths and given you a better idea of what homeschooling is really like!
Now, I’d love to hear from you!
Have you ever considered homeschooling?
Do you have any questions or experiences to share?
Drop a comment below!
And if you found this post helpful, don’t forget to share it with others and subscribe to my blog for more insights on education, parenting, and learning at home.
Bee 🐝
Bee’s Inspired Living
