Homeschool Myths: Parents Who Home School Are Rich

Myth #5

By Momie Tullottes, published Mar 08, 2008
Published Content: 457  Total Views: 378,745  Favorited By: 335 CPs
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As the concept of homeschooling continues to ease back into the mainstream, where it began, more and more questions and myths seem to follow. There is a great deal of controversy and confusion surrounding what exactly homeschool is, where it originated, what motivates people to choose homeschooling, and what may or may not be involved in the daily activities of a home school. In this, and other articles on the myths of homeschool, I plan to explore and help shed some light on some of these myths surrounding homeschool. My findings will come from personal experience and sometimes be combined with research studies or other evidence.

One homeschool myth is the concept that families who choose to school at home are rich. Some people tend to think that families who run a home school are overcompensated financially. While some very well may be, not all homeschooling families would fall into this category, nor is it necessary in order for a homeschool to be successful.

While to some, it may seem that homeschooling is expensive, it doesn't always have to be that way. It is true that some materials and curriculum programs are on the high end of pricing, but not all of them are. There are many different methods and materials that can used in a home school. It is often a very versatile way to educate children.

The most cost-effective method of homeschooling, in my opinion, is through a virtual school that is part of the public education system. Many states offer these virtual or online schools for free in the public school district. Most of these include the materials and a student computer for each student to use for free as well. While this is not my preferred method of homeschooling, nor is it supported by the HSLDA, I have heard success stories with this type of program.

Takeaways
  • While to some, it may seem that homeschooling is expensive, it doesn't always have to be that way.
  • Libraries often have many reading and research materials, as well as textbooks.
  • There is a large variety of ways to compile the materials needed for homeschooling
Did You Know?
Money does not need to get in the way of a person's desire to homeschool, nor is a large amount of money necessary to provide a quality education.
Comments
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Rich? Yes rich with love and knowing their kids are safer, loved and taken extra special care of. Rich in money? WHO? LOL As always, well worth the read! Thank you for telling it like it is!

Posted on 06/08/2008 at 1:06:22 AM

 
Interesting research idea. Best, Jesse

Posted on 04/15/2008 at 1:04:53 PM

 
That's ridiculous. Public school has more costs than homeschooling. $30 a week to get food, $200 if you want to play in a sport, gas money to drive to school, etc...

Posted on 03/25/2008 at 10:03:54 AM

 
Great job!

Posted on 03/19/2008 at 10:03:13 PM

 
Nice job!

Posted on 03/19/2008 at 2:03:19 PM

 
I agree with both of you. We are rich in family time, love, and values. :-)

Posted on 03/18/2008 at 10:03:04 PM

 
Great article. You may not be rich in a financial sense, but you are indeed rich in that you get to watch, and help, your kids grow up. And they will be rich from the experience and your teaching. We were poor as the proverbial Job's turkey, but I stayed home and raised my own kids rather than working outside the home when they were growing up. I didn't even think of homeschooling, don't guess I had ever even heard of it. But we are still blessed with good schools in our little town and I always felt that my kids were safe there as well as getting some good teaching.

Posted on 03/17/2008 at 5:03:02 PM

 
Well, here in Virginia, the first major battle for home schooling rights was won by two families who were among the poorer (in terms of cash income) in two of Virginia's lowest-income towns. However, there's more than one way to be rich. If your family have owned the same land for a few generations, you qualify for the upper social stratum...and if parents can find the time and money to home school, they're well off. So, you might say that even these below-poverty-level-income families were rich, in a more "meaningful" way.

Posted on 03/17/2008 at 2:03:02 PM

 
Thanks everyone. Shanika, you guessed it - at least in our case. I'm pretty resourceful and frugal. :-)

Posted on 03/13/2008 at 6:03:10 AM

 
Excellent information! Those people who think home school parents are rich probably can't comprehend what frugal is. They are up to their eyeballs in debt, and couldnt imagine not having both parents working to pay off their cars, overpriced house and other crap. Some moms can stay at home not because their husbands make loads, but because the family knows how to be smart with the money they make. I bet most home school parents are middle class folks like everyone else.. just better with their money in order to be able to spend time with their kids and not just shuffle them off to daycare or school.

Posted on 03/13/2008 at 3:03:56 AM

 
So informative!

Posted on 03/10/2008 at 11:03:58 PM

 
Great job answering these common misconceptions. My wife wants me to start homeschooling our kids and since I have my teaching credentials there is absolutely nothing stopping me. It seems that there are a lot of resources to help parents as well.

Posted on 03/10/2008 at 8:03:41 PM

 
Great job in addressing this myth. I never thought of homeschoolers as having more money than anyone else.

Posted on 03/09/2008 at 9:03:13 PM

 
I can see why someone would think this and I'm glad that you took the time to address the myth.

Posted on 03/09/2008 at 8:03:34 PM

 
Thanks everyone. Sounds about right Carol and Dreah. :-)

Posted on 03/09/2008 at 8:03:42 PM

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