3 Myths About Homeschooling That Made Me Want to Quit (But Didn't)

Let’s be real - homeschooling is not always sunshine, butterflies, and Pinterest-worthy planners. I’ve been homeschooling for 19 years while working full time, and I’ve faced my fair share of moments where I wanted to throw in the towel (or maybe the entire bookshelf).

But here’s the thing: most of my biggest frustrations weren’t actually about homeschooling itself. They were about the myths I believed that made me feel like I was constantly failing.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, questioning yourself, or wondering if you’re the only one who doesn’t have it all together... you're not alone. Let’s bust three of the biggest myths that almost made me quit - and why I didn’t.

Myth #1: You have to recreate public school at home.

This one got me early on. I thought I needed a strict schedule, timed subjects, a flag for the pledge, and a color-coded chart for every child.
Spoiler: NOPE.

Homeschooling gives you freedom for a reason. Learning doesn’t have to look like desks in rows and 45-minute subject blocks. Some of our best lessons happened at the kitchen table, in the car, or while one kid explained long division to their sibling using gummy bears.

I didn’t quit - I adapted. I realized that learning is a lifestyle, not a rigid routine.

Myth #2: You have to do it all yourself.

Another lie I believed: that homeschooling meant I had to be the teacher, principal, guidance counselor, lunch lady, and janitor - every single day, without help.

Guess what? You don’t.

There are online classes, co-ops, dual enrollment, mentors, and good old-fashioned delegation. Some seasons, my kids learned from YouTube documentaries while I worked, and that was okay. My job isn’t to do everything, it’s to make sure my kids have what they need to thrive and be successful adults eventually.

I didn’t quit - I found alternatives and support.
Asking for help isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.

Myth #3: If you’re struggling, you’re doing it wrong.

This one hits hard. I used to think that if I were really called to homeschool, it would feel easier. But some days, it felt like dragging a boulder uphill while someone cried about math and someone else spilled applesauce on the grammar book.

It took me years to understand: hard doesn’t mean wrong.
It just means you’re doing something that matters.

Homeschooling is a long game. It’s normal to have hard days, weeks - even entire seasons. But struggle doesn’t mean failure. It means growth.

I didn’t quit - I kept going. And I’m so glad I did.

Why I Didn’t Quit (Even When I Wanted To)

Because despite the myths, despite the bad days, despite the tears (and the coffee… so much coffee), I believe in this life.

I believe in the freedom to teach my kids according to who they are, not just what a system says they should be. I believe in the relationships we’ve built. I believe in raising thinkers, question-askers, and world-changers... even if they currently can't load a dishwasher correctly.

And I believe that if you're here reading this then maybe you believe in it too. Or at least, you're willing to fight through the noise and find out what homeschooling could really be... not the myth, but the messy, beautiful truth.

Final Thoughts

If these myths have crept into your mind, I see you. I’ve been there. But take a deep breath. You’re not failing - you’re homeschooling. And that’s going to look beautifully messy sometimes.

So don’t quit today. Or tomorrow.
Give yourself the same grace you give your kids.

You don’t have to be perfect - you just have to keep showing up.

There’s this silent pressure in the homeschool world to act like you’ve got it all together... like asking for help means you’re failing.

Let me just say this clearly for the people in the back: Asking for help is not weakness. It’s wisdom.

Over the years, I’ve leaned on co-ops, swapped teaching days with other families, cried on the phone with friends, and whispered more prayers than I can count. Community doesn’t always look like a perfectly polished support group. Sometimes it’s a text at 11pm to another mom (or dad) saying, “I’m tapped out. Remind me why I’m doing this again?”

And sometimes... community is finding a blog post like this and realizing you're not the only one.

What about you?

Have you ever run into one of these myths? Thought about quitting? Still wondering if you're cut out for this?

Drop a comment, share the post, or come hang out with us at Homeschool Unshaken - where we tell the truth, drink the coffee, and do this thing together.