Growing up, my mom often remarked that home-schoolers were a bit odd. She used to point to families who chose not to partake in public schooling and say, “Look at them—they must be in a cult!” or “That kid can’t even read!” When I shared my plans to home-school with my partner, he had similar concerns, imagining that we’d be the type who rejected evolution while dressing in long, flowing skirts.
They also assumed that we didn’t value teachers. But I come from a family of educators—my mom is a teacher, and my mother-in-law was one too. My husband is a public high school teacher. We hold teachers in high esteem; we just believe that home-schooling is a better fit for our family.
I have a specific philosophy on how children learn best, supported by educational training, and I find that this approach isn’t well accommodated in the standard public school system. I disagree with glorifying figures like Columbus, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, or assigning needless homework. I’d likely drive my kids’ teachers crazy with my differing views. So, we chose to teach them at home.
This doesn’t mean we believe in myths like fossils being planted by Satan to mislead believers. Actually, my husband and I are hobbyist paleontologists with a collection of fossils that our kids study. They dive into science with podcasts about extinct whales and have a great time learning about dinosaurs, including the names and locations of various bones.
We’re not part of a cult or a strict religious group. We’re a Catholic family, which means we learn about our faith, but we also understand basic science—like the fact that the Earth is round and revolves around the sun. We recognize climate change as a real issue and encourage our children to be mindful of the economic challenges faced by developing nations. My son is preparing for his First Communion, so we’re focusing a bit more on the spiritual aspects. Unlike those portrayed in stereotypes, we teach our children to embrace diversity, including acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
My kids are quirky in their own unique ways. One is fascinated by Spinosaurus, while the other is an expert on extinct sharks. They have a wide circle of friends, some who are also home-schooled and others who attend public school. They engage socially in age-appropriate ways, playing together without any issues of shyness or disruptive behavior.
I’m not one to conform to the typical style of many home-schooling moms either. I often see enough denim skirts to fill a department store, yet I prefer wearing stylish dresses from ModCloth because it’s easier (and more flattering) than squeezing into jeans. I enjoy putting on makeup and looking polished—definitely not a stereotype of a home-school mom.
While I have three children, many picture home-schoolers as having a dozen kids that teach each other while mom juggles it all. We would love to expand our family, but for now, three is plenty as I teach reading, the alphabet, and basic math. This way, my 6-year-old gets his reading lessons, my 4-year-old works on his letters, and the baby enjoys storytime. Everyone receives ample attention from me.
And yes, my son can read. There’s a misconception that home-schooled kids struggle with literacy. While I know someone whose reading didn’t start until he was ten, he turned out perfectly fine. We believe that children learn to read when they’re ready, so I’m not worried about my nearly 5-year-old’s lack of interest in letters. This isn’t unusual; even in Finland, kids typically start reading around age seven.
I also don’t fit the mold of the perfect homemaker. Many assume that home-schooling moms spend their days cooking, gardening, and crafting. In reality, I drive my kids around more than I cook, and I have a notorious track record of killing every plant I bring home—even cacti!
We’re not unusual; we’re simply a family that opted for home-schooling instead of public education. My kids have friends, they socialize well, and we don’t follow any strange ideologies. I don’t wear denim skirts or brew kombucha. We’re just a regular family with normal kids who happen to be schooled at home, and it’s working out just fine for us.
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Summary
This article discusses the misconceptions surrounding home-schooling families, emphasizing that they are just as normal as anyone else. The author shares personal experiences that highlight a love for education, respect for diverse beliefs, and the joys of home-schooling while debunking stereotypes of home-schoolers being “weird” or anti-educational.