So You Want to Homeschool, but What About the Things They Will Miss Out On?

Here is a list of FAQs that I have compiled from my own library, and those of friends that homeschool and don’t homeschool. I hope that these are helpful at answering your questions, I will try to be as unbiased as possible.


Q. What about socializing? How will they make friends, and learn to interact with people?

A. This has to be the #1 question asked by those who have never experienced homeschooling. Now because of the nature of homeschooling, there are some parents that choose not to socialize their children, so I certainly don’t speak for the whole population of homeschoolers. Let me try and put it simply. Most homeschoolers that I know attend some form of homeschool group. Yes, a group of homeschool parents and children get together and do activities and socialize. I have made it a point to take my children at least two days a week to a park, the MacDonnalds play place, have other kids over, or take my kids to play at another house. This aside from attending church. My 5 year old, who can be shy, will immediately look for someone to play with, introduce himself, and engage in play without my assistance.

Q. What qualifies you to teach if you’re not a teacher?

A. First of all as a parent, you know your child and their learning style better than any “teacher”. This is the glory of homeschooling for the parent, you get to read ahead, and sometimes re-learn those things that you had forgotten about. Thus keeping you “smarter than a 5th grader”. Homeschooling is NOT for everyone! If you find that you lack the ability to teach your children, then don’t do it, unless you can afford private tutors.

Q. What about gym class and sports?

A. Ah, gym class. This is where the liberties of homeschooling are really wonderful. Gym class can be composed of joining a sport at the YMCA, taking aerobics classes, going horse back riding, training for a race, going for a bike ride at the park, going roller skating, the list goes on and on. No it is not a state, or developmental requirement that you be belted with a dodge ball to become a thriving member of society. The sports question is usually geared towards the high school students and usually referring to the school teams. Homeschooled children maintain the ability to join these teams at their school district, I think this is how they justify still making you pay school taxes. Lol. Also there are intramural teams at churches, recreations centers, and so forth.

Q. What about the prom, and graduation?

A. Refer to the above question reguarding sports teams in your school district. Also, being homeschooled does not mean that children cannot interact with children who attend formal schools. In most states if a child completes the outlined criteria for graduation, set fourth by the school district, they can attend graduation at that school.

Q. If they don’t receive a diploma from a “real school” how will they get into college?

A. This is actually a really good question. Most schools and universities have policies for admissions of homeschoolers without traditional diplomas. Many colleges accept a transcript with ACT/SAT scores. Some do require a letter of recommendation from a licensed evaluator. All research shows that many colleges and universities are eager to enroll homeschoolers, even Harvard, Princeton, and Georgetown.

Q. How will they learn structure if they don’t have to get out of their pajamas to go to school?

A. I am going to refer to my previous statement that this is an individual thing. My day as a homeschooler was structured, as will my children’s day be structured. We were up at 7a.m. 5 days a week, got dressed, ate breakfast before school. The only thing different was that we had time to do our chores before school. We had horses, cows, rabbits, dogs, and a cat. Our school day was structured, we were usually allowed to decide which order we did our lessons in, and if we got burned out we could come back to it.

Q. What about children with disabilities?

A. This is a broad term. Many children with learning disabilities actually do quite well at home. Lessons are able to be tailored to the child, and without the ridicule and labeling that occurs in the public school. Some learning disabilities of a more sever nature do require professional support. However the ability to spend smaller, more frequent increments on subjects is immensely helpful to the hyperactive child with a short attention span. There are many fantastic resources on the web from parents who successfully homeschool children with ADHD, ADD, Autism, Auspergers, and other conditions of delayed or special learning needs.

This list is a work in progress, and I will add to it as more questions arise. Also, please submit any questions that you may have, questions that you have been asked, etc. If I don’t have an answer, I will find one.