New Homeschoolers FAQ

Most parents considering homeschooling have the same handful of questions... I know because I answer them over and over again. If just opening this article makes you a little (or a lot) nervous, just breath. God gave you these kids, and you know what's best for them. Whether you decide to homeschool or not to, you've got this. <3

Am I qualified to homeschool?

This is probably the most common question I hear, especially from new homeschool parents.

My answer is almost always the same:

You don't need to know everything. You just need to be willing to learn alongside your child.

For example, I was a professional math tutor for about 15 years, and even I don't teach every math lesson from memory. Sometimes one of my boys asks a question and I don't remember the answer. So we look it up together. We read the lesson. We watch a video. We work through it. Sometimes we make mistakes and figure it out as we go.

That's real life.

The good news is that your brain is much more developed now than it was when you took Algebra 1. You're also far more motivated because now the information actually matters to you.

You don't have to know all the things. You just need to know how to find resources and be willing to work through challenges with your child.

What if I mess my kids up?

Well... we all mess our kids up in one way or another.

I'm only half joking.

Every parent makes mistakes. Every parent has things they wish they had done differently. That's true no matter what kind of education their child gets.

The question isn't whether you'll do everything perfectly.

You won't.

The question is whether you'll love your children, stay humble, apologize when you're wrong, and keep trying to grow.

I would also encourage you to ask a different question.

Instead of asking yourself whether you're good enough, ask God what He says about you.

He entrusted those children to you.

If you lean on Him, seek wisdom, and remain teachable, you can do an incredible job raising your children.

Faithfulness matters far more than perfection.

What curriculum should I use?

The one that works.

I know that's probably not the answer you were hoping for.

The truth is that curriculum is just a tool. Some families thrive with highly structured curriculum. Others learn primarily through books, projects, discussions, documentaries, field trips, and real-life experiences.

I've used curriculum for some subjects and hardly any curriculum for others.

The important thing is not finding the perfect curriculum.

It's finding resources that help your child learn and that fit your family's goals, schedule, and personality.

And remember: you are allowed to change your mind.

You can skip lessons.

You can modify things.

You can combine resources.

You can abandon something that clearly isn't working.

The curriculum serves your family, not the other way around.

That said, I am not the right person to recommend a specific curriculum, because I honestly just don't use very much of it. In history, we did read through volumes 1-3 of Story of the World, and then volumes 1-4 of Mystery of History. When my kids were young, First Language Lessons and Writing with Ease were immensely helpful as well. Other than that, we've used a variety of math curriculum but not much else. I will, however share plenty of book and movie lists that I have fashioned into my own "curriculum"... So look out for those.

How long should homeschool take each day?

Usually a lot less time than people think.

Many new homeschool parents assume they need to recreate an eight-hour school day at home.

But traditional schools spend a tremendous amount of time on things that don't directly contribute to learning: transitions, attendance, classroom management, waiting for other students, assemblies, announcements, recess, and more.

Homeschooling is much more efficient.

But that doesn't mean learning only happens for two or three hours a day.

It means formal lessons may take less time while learning continues throughout the day through books, conversations, projects, chores, hobbies, play, and everyday life.

Since you are their teacher, and you are with them all day long, you can connect things in real life back to what they've been learning about in a way you can't when they are going to school. Not only does this mean they learn more throughout the day, but the reinforcement makes it stick better.

What about socialization?

I always find this question funny because homeschooled children are frequently more socially well-rounded than traditionally schooled kids. Sure, there are those "weird kids," but there are plenty at school too. It has nothing to do with homeschooling. Especially now that it's so mainstream.

One reason they do well socially is that instead of interacting only with other kids within one year of their age, they're around people of all ages. Groups of homeschool kids are not age-specific, so they learn to do well with older kids as well as younger ones. They have the opportunity to model good behavior for the younger ones, and learn from the older ones.

Another reason is that they tend to go out into the world with their homeschooling parent more often. Going with mom to run errands can be very educational, and they get pretty good at talking bank tellers, grocery store checkers, neighbors, etc.

And through all these interactions, you are never far away... so when conflict happens, if you're needed, you're right there to help them work through it, process what happened, learn from it. If it happened at school, you're lucky if you even hear about it, let alone get an accurate idea of what really happened.

The real question isn't whether children are socialized.

Everyone is socialized.

The question is: by whom?

Homeschool families can participate in co-ops, church groups, sports, volunteer opportunities, music lessons, clubs, part-time jobs, community events, and countless other activities.

Most homeschool children have plenty of opportunities to build friendships and learn social skills, but as their parent, you are in a much better position to curate these experiences, especially when they are young.

It isn't about control -- it's about good stewardship of precious little minds.

What if my child hates homeschool?

That depends on what you mean.

If we're talking about a young child who would rather play than do worksheets, that's completely normal. Young children are designed to learn through play, exploration, imagination, and movement.

If we're talking about ongoing battles, constant conflict, tears every day, and a family dynamic that is becoming unhealthy, that's a different conversation.

Sometimes a curriculum needs to change. Sometimes expectations need to change. Sometimes schedules need to change.

The goal is not winning a power struggle.

The goal is helping a child learn.

I would try to understand what it is they "hate." If it's something you can change, change it. Be flexible. Find something that works.

That said, even though I do believe homeschooling is ideal, it isn't always for everyone. If you've given it a fair shot and you aren't sure you can make it work, considering sending your child to school may be what your family needs. It isn't failure -- it's doing what works for your child and your family.

How do I know if homeschooling is working?

This is actually a harder question than people expect.

One reason is that many of the things that matter most aren't easily measured.

Are your children growing?

Are they learning?

Are they asking questions?

Do they know how to find answers?

Are they becoming more responsible?

Do they know the Lord?

Do you have a healthy relationship with them?

Those things matter tremendously.

Sometimes it's easier to identify when something isn't working.

If school simply never happens, if the family dynamic has become unhealthy, if there is constant conflict with no improvement over a long period of time, or if circumstances have changed significantly, it may be time to adjust your approach.

That doesn't necessarily mean homeschooling is failing.

It may simply mean something needs to change.

Can I send my child back to school?

Absolutely.

This may not be a popular answer in some homeschool circles, but homeschooling is an option, not a doctrine.

The goal is not homeschooling.

The goal is helping children and families thrive.

For some children, some families, and some seasons of life, homeschooling is the best option.

For others, public school, private school, hybrid programs, or other alternatives may be the better fit.

I, personally, have two kids who went to school through middle school and then homeschooled. I have one child who never homeschooled. I have a child who tried it and then went back to school, and I have two who have never been to school.

There is no trophy for homeschooling the longest.

The question is not, "Can I keep homeschooling?"

The question is, "What is best for this child in this season?"

Sometimes those answers change, and that's okay.

What records do I need to keep?

This depends on your state, so always check your local homeschool laws. The gold standard source for this is hslda.org/legal .

Follow your laws, but keep things as simple as possible.

The goal is to have reasonable documentation without creating unnecessary work for yourself.

If you aren't sure what it should look like or you are confused about your state laws, I recommend trying to find someone who will consult with you. Reach out to a local homeschool group and ask them.

Consulting with someone when you are unsure is especially important in high school, as your record keeping may be important to college admission in addition to satisfying state requirements.

What is the most important thing to remember as a homeschool parent?

Your homeschool does not have to look like anyone else's.

Your homeschool should not be designed to impress grandparents, neighbors, or the Jones'.

Every child is different.

Every family is different.

Every season is different.

Take what is helpful, leave what isn't, and give yourself permission to build a homeschool that actually fits your family.

If you're just starting out, or if you could use a little more organization in your homeschool, check out my free planner to help kick things off.