Homeschool Q&A #8 Common Misconceptions

Q: What are some common misconceptions about homeschooling that you've encountered?

A: People who do not yet understand homeschooling have a lot of ideas that are erroneous, but that is ok. We're all wrong about something! They might think you need a teaching degree to be a good teacher, they think you aren't actually educating well when you homeschool, they think there are no set grade levels since some homeschoolers act that way, and they think socialization is best done by being around a hoard of same-aged people. Interestingly, at no time in life are adults only around same-aged people, and I'm not sure where the logic is to think being surrounded by mostly immature children one's own age is going to help develop skills for success in life.... Anyway, the more you educate yourself, the more confidence you will have, but honestly, the proof will be in the pudding. We had a LOT of naysaying and at first I felt it was my duty to convince others and educate them, and eventually I was just too busy doing the work I was tasked with (by choice!) and decided I didn't care what anyone else thought. Years later and everyone on both sides of our family have continually praised the result, even my family members extended families. Our children are academically inclined by God, and we did our best to nurture that. People see that plus the godly character He's instilled, and I even have a niece planning to homeschool even though she does not walk with Christ. It is hard to describe what I endured at the start vs. where things are now. I believe Voddie Baucham's The Children of Caesar videos (free on YouTube, part 1 and part 2) give some good statistics that are likely even better now regarding homeschoolers academic prowess v. public schools. Even children homeschooled by parents who didn't finish high school perform better than about 70-75% of their public school peers. The numbers get better with high school graduates doing the teaching, parents who attended college...all those "professional" teachers and same-aged kids are not resulting in better performance academically, and that is the main point of school I thought. 

A closing truth to this idea you'll hear: 

"Aren't you sheltering your children too much by homeschooling?"

Truth: it is right for parents to shelter their children. This is a wicked world and until they are strong enough and grown, you better believe I'm going to shelter them and train them as best I can. I thank God I was able to stay home and choose what influenced my kids. As the parent, that is the privilege and responsibility. Throwing them to the wolves is a real crap-shoot in today's world.