Growing up, I often heard the stereotype that home-schoolers are peculiar. My mother, a seasoned educator, would point to various families who chose to educate their children at home, saying things like, “Look, they’re part of some strange group,” or “Their kids can’t even read!” When I expressed my desire to home-school, my husband shared similar concerns, picturing a lifestyle filled with outdated beliefs and unconventional attire.
Contrary to these misconceptions, we hold a deep respect for teachers. My mother and mother-in-law are both educators, and my husband teaches in a public high school. We value the role teachers play, but we believe that home-schooling offers an approach that better suits our children’s unique learning styles.
I have developed a distinct philosophy on how children learn best, supported by my medical background. The traditional public school system doesn’t quite align with this. I don’t subscribe to practices like glorifying historical figures without context or assigning busywork. I’d likely clash with teachers over these issues daily, which isn’t fair to them. That’s why we decided to educate at home.
It’s essential to clarify that we don’t subscribe to bizarre beliefs. My husband and I are fascinated by paleontology and have a collection of fossils in our home. Our kids study these as part of their learning, and we enjoy science podcasts about extinct species, diving into topics like dinosaur anatomy, which thrills them.
We’re not part of any cult or extreme religious group. As Catholics, we incorporate our faith into our learning, promoting a worldview that acknowledges science, including climate change, while also emphasizing compassion and social responsibility. This year, my son is preparing for his First Communion, so we’re focusing a bit more on those teachings. Unlike many stereotypes, we teach our children to be accepting of others.
Our kids have their quirks, but they are friendly and well-adjusted. For instance, one is captivated by Spinosaurus, while the other is an expert on extinct sharks. They have a healthy social life, playing with a diverse group of friends—some are home-schooled, while others attend public schools. They engage with their peers in age-appropriate ways and are not shy or disruptive.
As for the stereotype of home-schooling parents, I don’t fit the mold. While many envision home-schoolers as having large families, I have three children. We cherish the opportunity to provide individualized attention, whether that’s teaching reading skills to my 6-year-old, helping my 4-year-old recognize letters, or simply reading to the baby. My kids are thriving, and yes, my son can read—a common myth suggests that home-schoolers struggle with literacy, but that’s not our experience. We believe that children learn at their own pace, similar to the approach taken in Finland where reading instruction starts later.
I also don’t fit the stereotype of a traditional homemaker. Some imagine home-schooling moms to be constantly baking or gardening. In reality, I spend more time shuttling my kids around than cooking, and I have a black thumb when it comes to plants.
We’re not odd; we’re simply a family choosing to forgo public education in favor of home learning. Our kids possess social skills and friendships, and we don’t subscribe to any extreme ideologies. Our style is modern, and we embrace our individuality. We are a typical family, navigating the home-schooling path that suits us perfectly.
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In summary, we are a normal family making the unconventional choice to home-school. Our kids are social, curious, and engaged learners. We don’t conform to stereotypes, and we’re proud of our unique journey.