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50 Reasons Why I Could Never Homeschool


If you are a parent who thinks you could never homeschool, be encouraged: I used to be one of you. If someone had suggested back then that I should homeschool, I would have had a dozen reasons ready why I could not do it. One day, I ran out of reasons. Actually, the reasons why I wanted to try homeschooling began to outnumber my excuses for not trying it.

When my daughter was old enough for Kindergarten, I didn't have to worry about homeschooling because it was not yet legal in my state. Later, I avoided homeschooling because I thought my toddler needed too much of my attention. Still later, it became obvious that the government's public school system was failing both of my children, and I finally took a serious look at homeschooling. Our lives (and their education) changed completely within the next few months, and it has been a change that we have never regretted.

When people say they "could never homeschool," they usually complete that thought with one of the lines listed below. Sometimes the line is spoken aloud, and other times it is merely implied. Still more often, the spoken phrase, "I could never homeschool," stands alone as a substitute, a coded message, for one or more of these assertions. If you think you could never homeschool, give some consideration to these tongue-in-cheek explanations and reflect on why you feel homeschooling is not for you -- be sure that you are not avoiding homeschooling for mere excuses.

I could never homeschool--

1. ...I'm too disorganized. Homeschooling works with as much organization as you are willing to put forth. However, if you can keep your silverware sorted, you probably have what it takes.
2. ...I don't know how. Have you ever begun a new adventure already knowing everything about it? Like anything else in life, you learn as you go.
3. ...I wouldn't be any good at it. How do you know? Have you tried and failed at this before? If you have, then you know what problems to avoid this time.
4. ...I'm too lazy. Are you saying that it is easier to get your children up, dressed, fed, and off to school at the crack of dawn five days a week, than it is to allow your children to do math in their pajamas?
5. ...My husband/family won't let me. Is that because you have run yourselves deeply into debt and need multiple incomes to keep up the payments? Or is it because of utopian ideas of what institutional schools can do for a child?
6. ...I'm not smart enough. Did you teach your child to walk or talk? Did you help him learn to dress himself? Did you teach him to sing "Happy Birthday"? Then you probably have what it takes to teach him to print his name. The rest you can learn as you go.
7. ...I don't want my child to end up like that weird homeschooled kid I know. Don't worry--your child will end up with his own brand of weirdness, whether he is homeschooled or not.
8. ...I can't stand to be around my children. This is a bigger problem that you need to resolve, no matter where your children go to school.
9. ...My children can't stand to be with me. Again, this is a bigger problem that you need to resolve, no matter where your children go to school.
10. ...I want to support the local Christian school. That is an admirable goal, but is the Christian school more important than your own child? The quality of education (even at Christian schools) is far below what a child can receive at home. Also, Christian schools are populated with the thugs, bullies, and reprobates who managed to get themselves expelled from public school.
11. ...I want to support the community through the public school. Again, is the community more important than your child's welfare and education? The quality of education at public schools is far below what a child can receive at home.
12. ...All my children's friends go to public school. Any friends worth keeping can still be seen and played with after school or on weekends.
13. ...I don't have the patience to homeschool. Did you become impatient when your child was learning to walk or talk? Were you impatient when helping him learn to ride a bike? Homeschooling is no different--it is teaching new skills to the children you love.
14. ...My child has "special needs." Many parents homeschool their "special needs" children, feeling that no other teacher can understand or care for their child better than the parents can.
15. ...I don't know any other homeschoolers--I would need help. Homeschooling is growing so quickly that there are probably some homeschoolers in your area already. There are also resources on the internet for helping you connect with homeschooling families near you.
16. ...I don't want to insult my friends who are public school teachers. Right. Because their feelings are so much more important than your child's feelings and education.
17. ...I have to work. Some families have been able to adjust their work schedules and their homeschooling schedule to fit together. Other families have found financial benefits to homeschooling that eliminated the need for both parents to work.
18. ...My children don't want to homeschool. How do they know? Have they tried it before? My children loved having a fully stocked refrigerator available in their classroom.
19. ...I have a degree, a career, and a corner office that I have worked hard for, and I'm not giving that up. Right. Because it's all about you, isn't it? But your child would like his own chance to obtain a degree, a career, and a corner office.
20. ...I can't teach algebra, geometry, calculus, or chemistry. 1.) If your child is just starting Kindergarten, you don't have to worry about the advanced subjects just yet. 2.) The lessons are all explained in the textbooks.
21. ...My children won't listen to me, don't respect me, or don't think I am smart enough. Some of this will disappear the first time you answer a question as Teacher, and more will be conquered as you continue to homeschool. However, some of this may stem from bigger problems that will need to be resolved no matter where your children go to school.
22. ...I have a life and social commitments, and I'm not giving those up. It's still all about you, isn't it? Many commitments outside the home can still be maintained--and some may be easier because of the lack of school-related commitments during after-school hours.
23. ...I don't want to wear a denim jumper, put my hair in a bun, kill my own chickens, or have 18 children. And you don't have to. Homeschooling should fit your family's lifestyle--no matter what your lifestyle is. Some athletes homeschool around hours and hours of daily training, and some families homeschool on the road in the cab of an 18-wheeler. Homeschooling adapts to you and your lifestyle.
24. ...It costs too much money to homeschool. Many of the costs associated with homeschooling (such as curriculum purchases) can be spread out by re-using the materials for several students, or recouped by reselling the materials when you are finished with them.
25. ...We can't afford to start now; maybe we'll start next year. Along with your financial costs, be sure to consider the personal costs to your child. In some cases, the emotional and mental anguish from one more year in public school can do irreparable harm.

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