For some families, homeschooling is no longer just an alternative it’s becoming the best fit for education. In recent years, the number of parents teaching their children at home has continued to grow, fueled by everything from pandemic-era learning shifts to concerns about political and cultural divides in the classroom.
Experts say COVID-19 opened the door for many families to test-drive homeschooling, and what started as a temporary solution has become a long-term choice. “I think [parents] feared that homeschooling was difficult,” said Jaime Smith, MA, MSEd, CEP, educator and founder of OnlineG3.com in a recent interview with Huffpost. “But once they were forced to try homeschooling, they discovered that it worked well for their family.”
Others have turned to homeschooling in response to broader changes in education. According to Jamie, what was the norm for many religious families, now applies to families who don’t want religion in school, or want to continue teaching about diversity, equity and inclusion.
Homeschooling can create opportunities for personalized learning that’s hard to match in a traditional classroom. Jamie said her own daughter thrived when real-world experiences became the curriculum. “We went on field trips all the time — to the symphony, the history museum, the aquarium. Our ‘classroom’ was our entire local community.”
Beyond flexibility, parents also find homeschooling helps children develop independence and creativity. Smith added that “colleges love independent thinkers and self-directed learners, and those qualities are often a natural product of homeschooling.”
Still, homeschooling does not come without obstacles. Each state has different requirements, some demanding testing and strict curricula, others giving families more freedom. Parents also admit that constant togetherness can be exhausting. “There’s no bell at 3 o’clock, you’re always on,” Parent Clare Brown shared with the outlet. “Some days felt like a gift and other days it was heavy because I carried the worry of ‘Am I doing enough?’”
Socialization is another concern. While Smith’s daughter had opportunities through theater, dance, and field trips, she missed the “regular day-to-day friendships”.
“The only thing [my daughter] really missed was having the regular day-to-day friendships that only come with being in the same place at the same time,” she said. “She recognizes that those might not be the deepest relationships, but they serve a purpose in a teen’s life, and we couldn’t really replicate that.”
Despite the hurdles, both women who shared their experiences with Huffpost agree that homeschooling is possible for any family willing to commit time and consistency.
If you are considering homeschooling, Clare Brown shares her biggest piece of advice…“My biggest tip is not to be afraid to throw out the ‘school model’ and find what works for your family.”
