Busting Homeschooling Myths, One Shoe at a Time!

Homeschooling myths. Do they exist? They sure do.

You know, it’s those “things” that people believe without actually asking if you feel the same way, do things the same or believe the same things.

Almost like judging you without rhyme or reason.

Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Hey! Let’s bust those homeschooling myths right open!

Welcome to the homeschooling myth busting event where I am speaking up and speaking out about some homeschooling myths that people believe about me and my kids.

Please note I said I feel. Not the homeschooler next door, not you if you are a homeschooler, not all homeschoolers in general. Just me.

The reason I am talking about this? I am tired of being judged by what others think they know about me, about what I think, feel or do. It’s getting old people, just ask already!

Judging a book by its…shoes?

Ever been judged based on what people see? Annoying, isn’t it? Let me share a story…

If you have hung around you, know I am a mom that works outside the home, as in a building. Retail, to be exact.

As a retail worker, I wear flat shoes.
Boring shoes.
Practical…*but of course*

I walk all day on concrete floors. I have learned (due to wisdom or age you can decide) that high heels, concrete, and 8-hour shifts of running are bad for your knees, back, joints, and general movement.

I like to move. Preferably with as little pain as possible.

So I wear flats.

A co-worker brought in some lovely shoes one day. Beautiful shoes, the exact ones in the photo in this post to be honest. Aren’t they beautiful?? 

Everyone was trying them on. I noted they were exactly my size, nice! I like shoes. I have a “few” pairs at home.

FYI never count your shoes, then when asked you can honestly say… “I don’t know”.

The ladies at work were surprised when I said they were cute. After all, I was the mom wearing my “mommy work shoes”. Flats. Boring. Practical. And I am a homeschool mom. Ya know, not the type that wears these kinds of heels.

There was no way I would even be able to walk in those…could I?

Imagine the surprise when I not only walked in those shoes but walked out the door in those shoes. Pre-judging… gotta love it! They now sit happily in my closet.

My point?

Remember what you see might be just what is working in that situation.

Flat shoes for walking on the concrete floor. It works.

Homeschooling and working. It works for us.

Homeschooling Myths I Detest:

Here is a list of homeschool myths I hear often from others. I am sharing my personal viewpoint on each item, feel free to give me your input in the comments!

#1. All homeschoolers hate/dislike teachers.

Wrong. I admire teachers. I have a strong respect for them and I feel bad for teachers, especially the ones with 50-60 students.

Imagine sitting in a room of children.

• They all learn differently.
• They have different needs.
• They are at different levels of interest in what you are teaching.
• They haven’t chosen to be there.
• You have a set curriculum you need to stick to. So much you need to cover.
• Most of your students have no respect for you and will not listen to you.
• You have a limited budget or zero to make it more interesting or engaging for your students.

I am amazed at what teachers accomplish despite these circumstances. No! I don’t hate teachers, I admire them. I also thank the teacher that told me to homeschool.

Side note: I don’t think I ever would have appreciated what teachers do had I not started to homeschool.

So next time you see a teacher, let them know how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication. They need to hear it just like we do.

 #2. You hate public school.

Not true, in fact, there are many many blog posts dedicated to getting your homeschooled child into college and university, which in case you didn’t know is actually…a public school system. 

Shocker right?

However, I get where you are coming from. These same homeschoolers also rant about how public school is destroying so many children.

I feel the public school has its place just like everything else in life. It works for some people, some children, and some families. Do what works for you!

Here is an example of public school done right:

I was talking with a teacher from Ottawa. She is a primary teacher in a funded private school. She tells me she has 20 students in her class and there are…ready?

3 teachers.

The ratio is 3:20. Amazing.

Not only is the ratio crazy good but they are “required” by the parents of these children to spend 70% of their day outside.

I asked what happened when it rained, snowed or was warm. She explained that they are outside in the rain, it is amazing how the children learn. The children build dams, forts, and play in the water. The children come dressed for the weather. Of course in extreme weather, they go inside.

The program includes gardening and walking in the forest every day to learn. The teachers get together to plan curriculum, discuss each child’s needs and how to incorporate each child’s learning style.

In most public schools this is not the norm. I can honestly say I had never heard of anything like this program before. I can also say I am not alone in wishing more schools were like this.

Lastly, before I move off of this point, not everyone homeschools for the same reason. It’s not always, “Public school sucks let’s homeschool”. I can almost guarantee there is way more thought behind a decision to homeschool. (almost because again, this is just my 2 cents!) So instead of jumping to conclusions, why not ask why they homeschool?

#3. You think everyone should homeschool.

No, no I don’t.

I DO believe everyone CAN homeschool.

As in you are perfectly capable to do so.

After all, you have been teaching your child for the last x years of that child’s life and will continue to do so even if you don’t homeschool. Your child learns from you every day even if you choose not to homeschool.

“Can” not “should.”

There are some I have watched homeschool where I really wish they hadn’t. Confused? Homeschooling is hard work, takes effort, energy, and more.

I have seen some bring their child home and stop. That’s it. They never went any further. They left the child completely with no guidance whatsoever. No access to books. Kept the child home, alone. Probably where the socialization rants came from…

That is not homeschooling. Did the child learn? Probably that is what children do after all naturally, they explore, discover, and learn.

Again, CAN not SHOULD.

#4 Homeschooling is really expensive! You must be rich!

It can be. Some programs are pricey. Some are free. You can decide what you want to spend and what you don’t.

And yes, I am rich. In memories, in love, in time with my children. Money…not so much. But things that money can’t buy. Yes, I am, thanks!

I also homeschool for around $250 a year for two children.  That was last year.

My children are heading into a new school year and so I will be sharing my picks this year.

#5 All homeschoolers ever talk about is books, curriculum, school supplies and learning styles.

Yes, yes, yes and no.

Oh well, maybe not the last one as much. I mean once you figure it out for the year, feel free to move on. Until it changes, in like 5 minutes or 5 years.

I also talk about…

• food a lot. I like food.
• And work, and the things I love and hate about work.
• And working out, and the things I love and hate about working out.
• And shoes. I kind of like shoes and boots. Don’t get me started on boots!
• And I might be obsessed with coffee and coffee mugs.
• And blogging…don’t get me started, just ask my husband.

Homeschooling is our life, not just a part of our life.

Yes, we can omit it from the conversation but it is hard to do. We do have other skills, cares, hobbies, and interests. All you need to do is ask, and provide coffee of course!

#6 To homeschool you need to be patient.

Excuse me while I go lose my temper…

Children are lovely and delightful creatures. They are also the thing that will test whatever patience you think you have gained in your life as a parent.

A homeschooling parent is just that.

A parent.

As a homeschooling parent, you just get more opportunities to work on improving your patience than other parents. After all, you are stuck with your kids every. single. day.

Every time I think I have a handle on my patience I get a nice “reminder” that nope-still a work in progress!

If it is not my own kids testing me, it’s the kids at my place of work. Screaming! Crying! Demanding!

We have our good days and our bad days.

Just. Like. You.

You don’t need an abundance of patience to homeschool. You need love. Interest. A desire to teach and learn. Others agree with me.

Busting Homeschooling Myths

I hope that cleared up some of the homeschooling myths you might believe about me. If not, give me a holler and I will try to clear that right up for you.

Now if you will excuse this “boring, practical, flat shoe wearing mom” I need to go find a killer top to wear with my new shoes! Which have been named my “Homeschooling Myth Busting Shoes!” 😉

In the meantime, do you agree? Disagree? Let me know below! Catch ya in the comments 🙂

Take care, 

Jen

PS. Speaking about things I love to talk about, did you know I keep a page dedicated to curriculum we love and use all the time? You can check it out  here! 

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