Buckle Up—We’re About to Roast 5 Homeschooling Myths

Let’s Get One Thing Straight: Homeschooling ≠ Being Stuck at Home

Let’s unpack this box right away—homeschooling isn’t about caging kids indoors. Quite the opposite, actually. And if you’ve spent even five minutes chatting with a homeschooling family or scrolling through their stories online, you’ve probably noticed there's a whole lot of light and possibility here.

When we first considered homeschooling our child, we weren’t experts. Honestly, we’re still not. We’re currently homeschooling our almost-4-year-old, and if I’m being honest, the real adventure hasn’t even started. That’s the beauty of it—you don’t always know exactly where you’re going, but you figure it out as you go.

The biggest hurdle, however, isn't the learning itself—it’s the myths. The misconceptions swirling around homeschooling are seriously sabotaging what could be a truly meaningful learning journey. I’m not here to say all other education systems are flawed or irrelevant. I’m simply here to talk about the kind of learning that begins at home—and why I believe most of us are already doing it in some form. Maybe we’re not designing entire curriculums, but the life lessons we teach at home? That’s the stuff that sticks.

Also, homeschooling doesn’t have to be forever. You can absolutely opt into mainstream schooling later, or not at all. We’re taking it one year at a time. For us, homeschooling is like a subscription—we renew it annually based on what suits our child and our current situation. Because let’s be real: the world of education is changing by the second.

So, let’s get into the real reason you’re here—busting those persistent myths I’ve personally come face-to-face with:

Myth 1: Homeschooling Kids Are Always Indoors

Big nope. Homeschooled kids are everywhere—in gardens, parks, museums, beaches, grocery stores, hiking trails… and yes, sometimes just chilling at home. They take spontaneous vacations, explore nature, meet different people, and learn through real-life experiences.

A bird’s song can teach melody. A guava tree can become a biology lesson. It’s about observing, questioning, and learning on the go. We've just been conditioned to believe that learning only happens within four classroom walls. And that mindset? It’s the real cage.

Myth 2: Homeschoolers Don’t Have a Curriculum

That depends—what do you mean by curriculum? If it’s worksheets and chapter tests, then sure, it might look different. But homeschooled kids often follow unit studies, diving deep into a single theme over days or weeks. One week it’s ocean animals, the next it’s garden compost—driven by their own curiosity.

This is called child-led learning. And honestly, it’s been the most effective way for my child to not just learn something, but remember it—and apply it. Because education isn’t just about memory, it’s about meaning.

Myth 3: Homeschooling Is Just a Cheap Shortcut

Oh, how I wish. Homeschooling is not some budget-friendly hack. In fact, it can be just as expensive (if not more) depending on your priorities. Sure, I’m not buying uniforms or lunchboxes—but sensory kits? Books? Field trips? Art supplies? Those add up fast.

No one does this to save money. They do it to invest in a different kind of education.

Myth 4: Homeschoolers Can’t Get Degrees

Totally false. Homeschooling is legal in India and recognized by universities worldwide. Programs like NIOS and IGCSE make it accessible and credible. In fact, there are thriving homeschooling communities across India with kids who’ve gone on to ace college and life.

It’s not some underground movement—it’s just less mainstream (for now).

Myth 5: Homeschoolers Aren’t Social

Ah, the classic. “But what about socialisation?” As if the only way to make friends is through a school corridor.

My son currently attends a virtual school part-time—it’s flexible, fun, and gives him time for extracurriculars and new social circles. Not just the same 25 kids every day. As a parent, yes, I have to be more proactive about creating those opportunities. But I’d rather do that than let peer pressure and rigid timelines define his day.

So yeah, that’s a peek into my life as a homeschooler to an almost-4-year-old. For me, the idea of sending him to a pre-primary school doesn’t make sense right now—and I believe that choice needs to be respected.

Education isn’t a one-size-fits-all system. It can thrive within a classroom and outside of it. Instead of constant comparisons, why not let both approaches coexist? Let’s stop shaming families for choosing what works best for them. Especially when most of the criticism comes from people trying to sell you a shiny version of “normal.”

Want to go deeper into the homeschooling journey? Here’s an old podcast I found helpful: Jude & Mahendran talk homeschooling