4 Reasons You Hate Homeschooling

Do you feel like you’re completely failing this homeschool gig? Want to”throw in the towel”? At the same time do you also hate the idea of sending your child back to school? I’ve decided to write 4 Reasons You Hate Homeschooling because of the overwhelming amount of headlines of Covid homeschool parents who are sharing what a nightmare the last months have been for them, however this post could be for any parent that is hating homeschooling at the moment.

I really hope this article will help uncover some idea’s as to why you might be hating homeschooling, and help give parents out there that are needing this post a breath of fresh air.

4 Reasons You Hate Homeschooling

1. The curriculum

Friends, the right curriculum for your child is so important. But did you know that the right curriculum for YOURSELF as the teacher is also important?

You need a curriculum that fits your child’s needs but also one that fits your lifestyle.

From what I’ve been reading the parents that are having the hardest time with COVID distance learning are the ones using the materials sent home by schools or given online with teachers. I’m told by parents and have been reading that parents haven’t been given the scope and sequences or overview, so they don’t really know what they are supposed to be helping their kid with. In addition to this they don’t have the answer keys-which is important for parents to have.

On top of this, the materials the parents using were not designed for distance-home learning. So this is likely one of the 4 reasons you hate homeschooling.

Many of you parents out there need to hear this; it’s not you or anything you’ve been doing wrong. It’s the materials you are using!

If a parent is going to have a successful homeschool experience they need the right curriculum.

Here’s the thing. You are using mass education methods and materials and I know this next part is going to ruffle some feathers but the curriculum many are sent home with or using online only works well of a portion of kids-you can spot them easily-they are generally the ones on honor rolls. For the rest of the kids they simply get by.

THIS is why many of us chose homeschooling. So that we could create an education plan for our kids that truly works for them, maximizes their education and unlocks their full learning potential.

Parent’s, there a is a better way. Did you know that there are hundreds of curriculum options when it comes to homeschooling? Sometimes it takes some trying this and trying that before you find out what truly works, but I want you to know that somewhere out there is a curriculum that will click with not only your child but you too and when you find it, homeschooling can become quite awesome!

I highly recommend checking out Cathy Duffy Homeschool Curriculum Reviews. I’ve used this for years to find the best books and curriculum for my kids. You might also enjoy How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy.

FYI, Did you know there are even curriculums for multigrade families that incorporate group studies so all your kids can be learning the same topic together at the same time? Our favorite is by My Father’s World since it’s open and go (parent friendly), and incorporates many teaching styles and learning styles to teach children with various learning styles.

There are also curriculum choices for working parents to choose from and even Facebook groups where working parents can support each other and ask questions.

2. It’s your first year

Another one of the 4 Reasons You Hate Homeschooling could be because you are in your first year-or else a hard year and you feel like you are failing. As a homeschool mom with six kids and who’s been homeschooling almost 11 years I can definitely verify that some years are harder than others!

The first year in particular is often the hardest for homeschooling families though. It seems like 5th grade is another hard year-and then again the 9th grade. Another hard season is the couple years after having a baby (FYI, my entire homeschool journey has been with a newborn or toddler in the mix-you can read my post on How To Homeschool with a Baby HERE).

There are so many new changes to get used to in these years!

In addition to this a lot of families find the first year in particular hard because of reason #1, they are using the wrong curriculum for their kids and lifestyle.

Tip; When I was taking a homeschool parent qualifying course (legal requirement in my state), the lecturer emphasized that when taking your kids out of public school to homeschool that there be a period of “deschooling”. Basically this is a period of time where the kids have a break (some suggest months off) and the parents can prepare. Personally I do recommend having a child utilize some delight directed learning during this time and for them to create a notebook of their discoveries.

Another issue that presents itself is kids getting used to being home and having schoolwork to do (this also happens during a child’s first year of school). Kids need a period of adjustment as do parents.

3. Your child has undiagnosed learning issues

Sometimes homeschool is way harder because a child has undiagnosed learning or processing issues. I know this from experience as we have two sons with ADHD. This is where a doctor can help figure out if that’s the case and recommend therapy.

A lot of times it’s not this-it’s simply poor curriculum or the wrong curriculum for your child. In the cases where it is a learning disorder, finding the right curriculum becomes even more critical though!

4. You’re not realizing all you are getting done

For some parents it can be really difficult for them to acknowledge and see the good job they actually are doing.

I battle this one. In fact, it is taking counseling for my own long standing anxiety issues for me to slow down and acknowledge the phenomenal amount of work that IS being done because for years all I could see is what we were not getting done.

I’ve learned never to underestimate each drop I put in the education bucket for my kids. I’ve learned to count the 30 minute lessons, the 45 minute lessons, but also not to underestimate those 5 minute lessons between because you never know what is being retained.

Homeschooling isn’t a sprint. It’s a marathon-but it’s a marathon where the baby steps really do count.

Ending Note

I really hope 4 Reasons You Hate Homeschooling has helped those of you out there needing it. Leave a comment and tell me your thoughts! Have you ever felt like you were failing homeschool? If so would you share your story? For those of you that have been and worked through this I’d love to hear your stories too! Let’s share and support each other in this journey!

Also, you can browse all my homeschooling posts HERE. One post you might enjoy is 8 Refreshing Tips For Balancing Home, Homeschooling And Kids.