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10 Most Common Worries of New Homeschoolers and Unschoolers





First, there are many studies that show that home-schooled children meet grade level achievement and often exceed it. Secondly, in Alberta, all children write the grade 12 diploma exams in the core subjects if they want to go on to post-secondary education. By high school age, many kids actively seek out courses to pass the exams and move forward with their goals. Many kids don't even start formal coursework until grade 10 and do just fine on the exams - so don't worry - you can't possibly mess them up.

3. My kids didn't listen to me when I nagged them about homework last year. How will it be when their whole education is in my hands?


4. I'm worried that I will burn out trying to entertain my kids all day.

Don't even try to occupy your kids all day. I'm not sure where the notion came that parents must be constant entertainers, but it's a habit you don't want to start. Leave things out like a board game today, craft supplies tomorrow and a costume trunk the next day - they will learn to occupy themselves. You will be amazed at their creativity if you are not directing everything. If you don't get into the habit of occupying them, they will not get into the habit of looking to you to fill their day and you will have free time to yourself. Many homeschoolers use this time to run a home-business, write, or work part-time. The bonus is that children will develop their creativity, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Be sure to insist that they clean up messes though.

5. I'm only homeschooling one sibling. How will the children get along?

Kids readily accept that their siblings have different education situations. That's okay. They may want to homeschool too or they might not. If you give each child the choice each year, it takes the power struggles out of the inevitable complaints resulting from their choice.



6. How can I teach them things that I don't know very much about, such as fractions?

Your kids are going to learn fractions whether you teach them or not. You can't force a child to learn and you can't stop them from learning. Math concepts are learned from life - baking, money, shopping etc. Language is learned from avid reading. When they get to later grades, they have to start learning fractions on paper rather than in their heads. As kids get into junior and senior high school, there are online teachers that can teach your kids what you don't know or want to. And developmentally, they are mature enough to listen more to an outside teacher than you!


It's only a year! Nothing is written in stone. Your education plan (the worksheet you submit to your facilitator of your year's plan) is a work-in-progress document and you can change anything you wish at any time. Dump curriculum if it doesn't work for you, or change programs or the timing of topics. Most homeschoolers don't finish their goals for the year (we are human and humans procrastinate, or life just gets in the way of our best intentions)and the kids move on to the next grade and do just fine! Enjoy the time you have with your children.



Some parents love to organize and if you are one of them, pick something your child wants to do, pick a date and advertise it and you will have a group to go with you in no time. It's not homeschooling as much as community schooling!



Unfortunately, until homeschooling becomes more widely understood, you will be judged! Most people hold stereotypes of the "social" and "academic" aspect, and are misinformed by homeschooling portrayals in the media. Many homeschoolers just smile and say, "It's the best choice for our family." Grow a thick skin and let comments bounce off of you.


Friends are everywhere, not just at school. Some kids love being with other kids. Some kids love being home without a lot of people around. You can provide both in homeschooling where you set the pace for social activities. There is enough going on in Calgary for homeschooling clubs, events, classes and outings that there is something organized for everyone - the outdoor enthusiasts, the sports crowd, writing groups and even the Friday afternoon Minecraft club at my house! Not to mention the usual community organizations such as Boy Scouts, church groups, community classes, and more.


Be sure to visit APCA's website for homeschooling articles, a sample education plan and a sample parent-child contract.

Judy Arnall, BA, is a Certified Canadian Family Life Educator who has just release a new book this fall titled Parenting With Patience: Turn frustration into connection with 3 easy steps. WWW.PROFESSIONALPARENTING.CA 403-714-6766, Join our list for monthly notifications of free parenting webinars

Judy Arnall's picture
Unschooling to University
Judy Arnall, is a certified child development expert who specializes in non-punitive parenting and education practices. She teaches about attachment parenting and unschooling to post-secondary education levels. Judy is the author of the bestselling print book, "Discipline Without Distress: 135 tools for raising caring, responsible children without time-outs, spanking, punishments and bribery," as well as, "Parenting With Patience: turn frustration into connection with 3 easy steps."