My Answers to Common Questions: Homeschool Edition

Hello, friends! I’ve been thinking about something for a while, and that often leads to a good blog post idea. I’m homeschooled, as are many of my friends. There are several questions out there about homeschoolers, and I realized this after talking to my aunt about school. When she heard I was homeschooled, the first thing she said was, “So, do you have any friends?” I thought it was funny how that was her first question. I get that sort of question a lot, and I thought of even more as I wrote this post. Below are my answers to my favorites. These may not be how everyone would answer, or fit everyone; but they’re from my experience and perspective on homeschooling.

• Do homeschoolers have any friends besides their siblings?

Yes, we do. People may think that we don’t have many friends because we don’t spend time with a lot of people our own age, like people in public school who spend 8 hours a day with people their age. But I spend time with younger children, playing with and reading to them. At church and other events, I have the opportunity to talk to and learn from people who have a lot more life experience than me. I consider all of those people my friends, from the two-year-old who tells me about tractors to the woman we lovingly call our church grandma ❤ I count it a great blessing to be able to relate to and talk to so many people of different ages.

• Do homeschoolers do school in their pajamas?

I don’t know about you, but I don’t! When I get up, I have animals to feed outside and chores inside. It’s just as easy to get dressed for the day before then. Besides, I don’t like to feel like I’m just lounging the day away. If I’m up and doing things, I like to be dressed accordingly.

• Do homeschoolers get to sleep in every morning?

Not every morning, no. I start school at 8:30, and before then I have things to get done. Most days I get up at 7:00, although I sometimes sleep in until 7:30. In high school especially, mornings are important for getting school done. If I slept in every morning, instead of getting up and moving, I’d have a hard time getting all my assignments done on time. I also don’t like to feel like I’m wasting time, and sleeping until eight on a school day would feel like that to me.

• Are homeschoolers socially awkward?

Hmm, how do I put this. . . yes? Not going to public or private school does have the disadvantage of not being around lots of people your own age every day. I’ve gotten better at it, but when I’m around teens my age, it’s sometimes hard to know how to act, especially if I don’t know them. With practice, though, I’m learning. Even though it seems slow and hard sometimes.

• Are homeschoolers very busy?

Oh yes, for sure. I don’t do sports, band, or orchestra, but I have plenty of extracurricular activities that I keep busy with. I have my own piano lessons that I have to practice for, and I teach five girls every week. My family participates in several church events that happen weekly. Especially now that I’m in high school, I don’t have as much free time as I used to. Which isn’t a bad thing, just one to adjust to! I also have hobbies that take time, such as writing, responding to pen pals, and running.

What do you think? What’s a question you’ve heard asked about homeschoolers? If you’re homeschooled, do you agree or disagree with my answers?

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