Is Homeschooling Right for Your Family? Quiz & Guide

You’ve been thinking about homeschooling. But one question keeps coming up: Is this right for our family?

Maybe you’ve seen other families thrive with homeschooling. You wonder if you could do it too. Perhaps your child struggles in regular school. Or you simply want more say in their education.

Here’s the truth: homeschooling isn’t for everyone. That’s okay. What works great for one family might not work for another. The key is honest self-assessment before you commit.

After talking with hundreds of homeschool families over the years, we’ve noticed clear patterns. Some families jump in and thrive immediately. Others struggle because they didn’t ask the right questions first. This guide helps you avoid that mistake.

You’ll answer key questions about your family. By the end, you’ll know if homeschooling fits your needs, values, and lifestyle.

The advantages of homeschooling include flexible scheduling, customized curriculum, one-on-one instruction, and the ability to match learning pace to each child. But these benefits only matter if homeschooling works for your specific situation.

Quick Quiz: 10 Questions to Ask Yourself

Answer these questions honestly. There are no right or wrong answers. They just show how ready you are for homeschooling.

1. Do you like spending lots of time with your kids?
2. Can you change your work schedule?
3. Are you okay being in charge of your child’s learning?
4. Do you have patience to explain things many times?
5. Can you research and pick curriculum?
6. Can your family live on less money?
7. Do you have support (spouse, family, or homeschool friends)?
8. Will you learn new things with your child?
9. Can you set schedules but stay flexible?
10. Does your child learn differently than most kids?

Did you say “yes” to most? Homeschooling might be a great fit. Got several “no” or “maybe” answers? Keep reading. Many families start unsure and still succeed.

Signs Homeschooling Might Be Right for You

In our experience working with homeschool families since 2018, we’ve seen certain traits predict success. See if these match your situation.

Your Child Has Special Learning Needs

Regular classrooms work for average students. But what about kids who are different? We’ve seen gifted kids bored to tears in regular school suddenly flourish at home. Struggling kids who were years behind caught up within months. Kids who learn differently finally found approaches that clicked.

The advantages of homeschooling for these children are significant:

• Go at your child’s own speed—whether that means accelerating ahead or spending more time at each grade level
• Choose textbooks and workbooks that match their learning style
• Spend extra time on hard subjects while moving fast through easy topics
• Adjust the scope and sequence of curriculum to fit your child’s needs
• Use special methods for dyslexia or ADHD
• Add hands-on activities and movement breaks

The National Home Education Research Institute found something interesting. Homeschool students score 15 to 25 points higher on tests than public school students. This is true across all subjects.

You Need a Flexible Schedule

Does your family travel a lot? Do you have an odd work schedule? Homeschooling fits around your life. You don’t have to fit your life around school.

Flexible homeschooling helps if you:

• Work nights, weekends, or rotating shifts
• Travel for work or fun
• Have kids in sports, music, or dance
• Like learning at different times of day
• Want to take trips when crowds are smaller

You Want Control Over Values

Many families homeschool to teach their values. Religious families can add faith to lessons. Secular families can choose their own approach to topics.

With homeschooling, you decide:

• What books and materials your child uses
• When and how to talk about hard topics
• How to include your beliefs in learning
• What character traits to focus on
• Who your child spends time with

School Causes Your Child Stress

Some kids dread school every day. Bullying, anxiety, or pressure makes learning hard. When school hurts, it’s time to look at other options.

Warning signs school isn’t working:

• Your child hates going to school
• They get sick on school mornings
• They’ve lost interest in learning
• Behavior problems have started or gotten worse
• Their confidence has dropped

Homeschooling can remove these stressors. Kids often rediscover their love of learning.

Signs Homeschooling Might Not Work

Be honest about challenges too. In our years of consulting with families, we’ve seen these issues cause the most struggles. They don’t make homeschooling impossible. But they need careful thought before you begin.

You Need Two Full Incomes

Homeschooling takes time. A lot of time. Most families need one parent to cut back on work. Some work from home. Others work odd hours.

Ask yourself:

• Can you live on less money?
• Could you work from home?
• Could you teach at night or on weekends?
• Will one parent take the lead?

Money stress hurts homeschooling. But good news: you can homeschool on a budget. Many great programs cost less than $500 a year.

Your Child Loves Regular School

If your child is happy at school, think twice. They have good friends. They like their teachers. They’re learning well. Why change what works?

Keep your child in school if they:

• Feel challenged and engaged
• Have strong friendships
• Feel safe and respected
• Go to a school that matches your values
• Want to stay in school

Homeschooling solves problems. If there’s no problem, you may not need the solution.

You and Your Child Clash Often

Homeschooling puts you together all day. If you already struggle to get along, it might make things worse. Teacher and student roles can cause more conflict.

Work on these issues first:

• Constant power struggles
• Poor communication
• Ongoing tension or distance
• Low patience for this specific child

Some families fix their relationships through homeschooling. But go in with eyes open. Make relationship repair a clear goal.

You Think Homeschooling Fixes Everything

Homeschooling is powerful. It’s not magic. It won’t automatically:

• Cure learning disabilities (but it can help)
• Make a reluctant learner eager overnight
• End all behavior problems
• Make parenting easier
• Guarantee college success

Keep your expectations real. Homeschooling creates opportunities. Results come from steady effort over time.

Things to Think About

Beyond personality, practical stuff matters too. Look at each area honestly.

How Much Time Do You Have?

Homeschooling takes less time than you think. Elementary students need 2-4 hours of lessons daily. High schoolers need 4-6 hours. But you also plan, prep, and grade work.

Weekly time looks like:

• 2-6 hours daily for teaching
• 2-5 hours weekly for planning
• 1-3 hours weekly for records
• Drive time for co-ops and activities

What Does Your State Require?

Homeschool laws differ by state. Some states just want you to notify them. Others require testing, portfolios, or teacher reviews.

Check your state’s rules at HSLDA’s state law page. High-regulation states (like New York) need more paperwork. Low-regulation states (like Texas) make it easy.

Do You Have a Support System?

Homeschooling gets lonely without support. You need people in your corner.

• Your spouse: Both parents should agree on this choice
• Extended family: Supportive grandparents help a lot
• Homeschool groups: Co-ops and meetups give social time and shared resources
• Online friends: Facebook groups and forums offer advice

If your spouse says no or you don’t have local groups, build support first.

Can You Teach Your Kids?

You don’t need a teaching degree. Research from the National Home Education Research Institute shows parents without teaching credentials produce the same academic outcomes as certified teachers.

What you do need:

• Willingness to learn alongside your child
• Ability to research and select appropriate textbooks, workbooks, and curriculum materials
• Patience to explain concepts different ways until they click
• Openness to getting help when you need it

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, homeschooling more than doubled from 2019 to 2021, with about 11% of households choosing this option. Many of these families had no prior teaching experience.

Today’s homeschooling has lots of support. Video lessons teach math at every level. Online classes cover subjects from elementary phonics to AP courses. Tutors, co-ops, and learning centers mean you don’t teach everything yourself. Many curriculum providers offer complete scope and sequence charts showing exactly what to teach at each grade level. Learn how to pick your first curriculum to get started.

Understanding Your Curriculum Options

One advantage of homeschooling is the sheer variety of approaches available. Understanding your options helps you decide if homeschooling fits your teaching style.

Traditional Curriculum

Traditional programs use textbooks and workbooks similar to public schools. You follow a structured scope and sequence. Subjects are taught at specific grade levels with clear learning objectives. Programs like Abeka, BJU Press, and Saxon provide complete lesson plans. This works well if you want clear direction and measurable progress.

Eclectic Approach

Many homeschoolers mix and match. You might use one company’s math textbook, another’s language arts workbook, and hands-on science kits. This lets you customize at each grade level based on your child’s strengths. The advantage is flexibility, but it requires more planning.

Online and Video-Based

Programs like Time4Learning, Acellus, and Khan Academy offer interactive lessons. Students watch videos, complete digital workbooks, and take online assessments. Parents supervise rather than teach every lesson. This works especially well for working parents or reluctant teachers.

Try Before You Commit

Still not sure? We always recommend testing the waters with less risk. Here are strategies that have worked well for families we’ve advised.

Summer Homeschooling

Use summer to try it out. Order a few textbooks or workbooks. Set up routines. See how your family handles the teaching dynamic before committing full-time.

Afterschooling

Keep your child in school but add learning at home. Practice teaching. Try different materials. See how your child learns best.

One-Semester Trial

Commit to just one semester. This gives you time to adjust while keeping options open.

Virtual School

Online public or private schools split the difference. Your child learns at home. Teachers provide the curriculum and support. You don’t have to plan everything.

Decide as a Family

Homeschooling affects everyone. Include the whole family in the choice.

• Talk to your spouse: Get real agreement, not just “fine, whatever”
• Ask your child: Their input matters, especially for older kids
• Discuss fears: Worries about friends, learning, or lifestyle deserve attention
• Visit homeschool groups: See it in action before you decide
• Set check-in dates: Plan to review how it’s going

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I’m not patient enough?

Patience grows over time. Most parents get better at it. You can also use tutors, co-ops, or online classes for hard subjects.

Can I homeschool while working full-time?

It’s hard but doable. Some parents work opposite shifts. Others homeschool while working using self-paced programs or hiring help.

What about socialization?

Homeschool kids have plenty of social time. They join co-ops, sports, church groups, and neighborhood activities. Studies show they develop strong social skills.

Can my child still go to college?

Yes! Colleges want homeschool students. They need test scores and transcripts you create. Many homeschoolers get scholarships.

Can I homeschool a special needs child?

Homeschooling often works great for special needs kids. You give them personal attention. You may lose school services, but many families think it’s worth it.

What to Do Next

Think homeschooling might be right for you? Based on our experience helping families make this transition since 2018, here’s the order of steps that works best:

1. Learn your state’s laws before you decide anything
2. Find local homeschool groups to build your support team
3. Look at curriculum options for your kids’ ages and learning styles
4. Pick a start date that makes sense (you don’t have to start mid-year)
5. Read our complete guide: How to Start Homeschooling

Still unsure? That’s normal. Take time to research and think. Talk with your family. The right choice will become clear.

Remember: choosing to homeschool—or not to homeschool—doesn’t make you a good or bad parent. What matters is doing what’s best for your unique family right now.