Top 7 Myths about Homeschoolers

If you've been homeschooling for any length of time, you've heard a lot of opinions about homeschooling and homeschoolers. Let's fall down the rabbit hole of the top myths about homeschoolers.

Number One: All homeschoolers are homeschooling because of religion.

Nope, nopeity-nope. Yes, there were a lot of religious homeschoolers back in the 1980s when it was an unusual choice, and it's wonderful that homeschooling families pushed to ensure that it remained a legal choice.

But now, not so much. There are plenty of secular homeschooling families, but sometimes you have to find us through word of mouth. AnySchoolers is trying to change that, but it's a slow process.

Number Two: The only people who homeschool are stay-at-home moms.

Absolutely not. As much as we love the stay-at-home moms who do homeschool, they aren't the only ones who have managed to make homeschooling work for their families. On top of our responsibilities in AnySchoolers, Vanessa, AnySchooler co-founder, is a working mom with a full-time counseling practice, and Heidi, the other co-founder, is attending a grad program full time.

There are also plenty of other examples of families balancing work and homeschool within our community as well. We won't lie and say that it's easy, but it's definitely possible.

There are also plenty of fathers who are actively homeschooling their kids as well, and they don't get the recognition or visibility that they deserve. (We have a homeschool dads social pod to help with this as well.)

Number Three: Homeschoolers are not socialized.

Yeah, no. Although the pandemic slowed some of us down, there are so many options that are now available to help homeschooling families socialize and learn together. Our small group social pods are one way that we are offering these opportunities, but there are other ways as well.

Many homeschoolers spend their time on field trips with their friends, learning together outside in a natural setting, chatting about books in book clubs, and so much more. If you're worried about socialization for homeschoolers, it's likely that you weren't the kid whose public school teachers had to remind them that "school isn't for socializing."

Number Four: Homeschoolers spend all their time playing and goofing off.

While it's true that many homeschoolers have more free time than their public schooled counterparts, it's because there is so much time managing large classrooms of children in public schools. As wonderful as many public school teachers are, there is inevitably a lot of wasted time in public schools because they must teach to large groups.

At home, we don't have that limitation. Our kids go at their own pace, and they have the freedom to learn in ways that are individualized for them. This clearly saves time, so they can have additional time for whatever brings them joy.

Number Five: All homeschoolers are wealthy (or poor). You'll hear both.

This one fascinates me because people believe both sides of this one. So, let's address this. Homeschooling can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want. Yes, you will find families that spend thousands and thousands of dollars on all the curriculum possible, attend every event available, and have all of the latest trends.

But you'll also find the opposite. Families who pinch every penny to ensure that they can offer their kids what they need and look for all educational resources secondhand. But honestly, most of us are in the middle. We spend money on the things that matter most to our kids and that will give us the biggest bang for our buck.

One thing about homeschooling families that is true is that we are a resourceful bunch.

Number Six: All homeschoolers are gifted and super-intelligent.

While all of us have our individual gifts, not all homeschoolers would be eligible for the gifted programs in their schools. Like public schooled kids, homeschoolers come with every learning difference imaginable. Many families choose to homeschool because their kids with dyslexia or their kids with fine motor skill challenged weren't getting the education they needed. Some families homeschool because their kid is dealing with significant health issues, so they can't be around so many illnesses.

Regardless of why a homeschooling family is homeschooling, not all kids who are homeschooled will fit into the stereotype of a super-genius. But even for the kids who are super-geniuses, homeschooling can be a remarkable journey for them too.

Number Seven: All homeschoolers hate public school and believe that everyone should be homeschooled.

Absolutely not! Public school teachers are heroes; it takes a lot of work to teach children, especially when there are so many responsibilities heaped on their plates. Frankly, there are plenty of former public school teachers who choose to homeschool.

Additionally, homeschoolers know the work that goes into homeschooling kids, so we know that it isn't for everyone. Not every kid will thrive in a homeschool setting, and not every caregiver can devote the resources to homeschooling.

And that's wonderful. Our differences make us stronger and more interesting. The bottom line is that homeschoolers care deeply about education, and so do public school teachers and the children who attend them (well, mostly).