Misconceptions of Homeschooling
If you decide to homeschool your child, other parents will question you. The team at Link will give you homeschooling tips and ways to respond to parents with misconceptions of your decision.
Anyone who homeschools their children will likely deal with pushback from others who may not understand their decision. There are misconceptions about homeschooling, such as, the condition of homeschooling, and comparing students to those in the public school system. Join us as we offer parents tips on managing to misunderstand, and in turn, resolve the misconceptions of homeschooling.
Be Firm On Your Homeschooling Decision
Inform people you are homeschooling your student- Parents do not need to educate others on their homeschooling decision, however, people will likely ask you questions. Whether you are a novice or an expert in homeschooling, you may need to respond to nay-sayers regarding your decision to homeschool your children.
If you have a personal reason for a student to be homeschooled, you can use a simple explanation for those who ask. For instance, “We as a family were not happy with the way our child was being taught so we decided to homeschool our child.”
Some people are unfamiliar with the differences between the public school and a homeschooling system.
With most students experienced homeschooling in some way. First time homeschooling parents have had a tough time keeping an eye on them while being up-to-date with their school work. However, parents can use pandemic pods, where they can hire a tutor to teach them various subjects during the quarantine.
Find a homeschooling community. Look in your area for support groups within the community. Parents can meet with other guardians and learn how they had to handle being a homeschooling parent.
Parents can advise other parents that are new to homeschooling. Getting insight from other people can help prepare you to face nay-sayers.
Joining a homeschooling support group can be crucial if you need to ask questions like selecting a schedule.
By using The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) you can search for groups within your community
Hearing others- You should listen to the opinions of others even though you do not need to justify your decision to homeschool your child.
If a conversation starts to get heated you should be tolerant and move your conversation away from this topic.
Realize the restriction of a conversation- If you deal with an aggressive person who is rude, then you should be respectful and leave.
People have the right to be opposed to your homeschooling option. If a person does not agree with your decision, you do not have to interact with that person.
If you deal with someone that is very emotional you can respond simply, ”My family and I made this decision for our child. If you can not respect this decision then we should deter the conversation to something else.”
How can you explain homeschooling to other people?
Be prepared with homeschooling facts- Homeschooling misconceptions come from those unfamiliar with the system. Do your research!
The National Home Education Research Institute, HSLDA, and the Coalition for Responsible Home Education are useful tools to research homeschooling and also finding support groups.
Homeschooled students can still socialize- One of the top misunderstandings is that homeschooled children do not have the same chances as students in the public school system. Individuals might ask, “How are your children sociable?” You can share ways how you have involved your student in certain groups or activities.
Children can spend time with others their age. Your child can enroll in a community sports league or partake in religious activities.
Your student will not be a hermit and it is unlikely for them to deal with being bullied.
Share experience with others. Or don’t!- Discuss your reasons for your homeschooling decision if someone is curious about the homeschooling system.
Eliminating the Misconceptions of Homeschooling
Acknowledge homeschooling diversity- 2.5 million homeschool children are in the United States. These students are from different backgrounds and have different experiences.
There is no one type of family that homeschools their child. People have their ideas of what homeschooling is.
There are various ways to homeschool your child. Homeschool services can vary from virtual online programs to small-in-person homeschooling groups.
Have your students get involved in the learning process- As your students reach middle or high school, their educational views, and how they learn can fluctuate. If your student is adamant about not wanting to be homeschooled, then consider transitioning to different schooling options.
Take your student to the library and have them pick out books that interest them. Involve them in some parts of your schedule.
Have your student discuss what they are passionate about and use that to find outlets for their specific interests. For instance, if your student enjoys animals, then take them to the zoo or have them shadow a veterinary assistant. Your student should always have an avenue to explore areas that interest them.
Acknowledge the many opportunities for homeschooled students- Parents have a variety of services and schedules to select from should they decide to homeschool their students.
Homeschooled children can be part of a sports team and partake in a myriad of in-person extracurricular activities.
Homeschooled children are just as likely to be admitted into college and, graduate schools, and often test better than students in the public school system.
Circumvent haughtiness- The decision to homeschool your student is your prerogative. This decision is your own.
Just because you decide to homeschool your student does not make you a good or bad parent.
Not everyone agrees with homeschool. Be aware of other individuals’ pain and concerns.
Always be respectful. People should always respect each other’s decisions when it comes to homeschooling.
