Learning Alongside Your Kids: Homeschooling’s Best-Kept Secret Superpower

Are you thinking about teaching your kids at home? You might worry about one big question: “What if I’m not smart enough to teach my child?” Don’t worry – you’re not alone in feeling this way! Learning alongside your kids is a great way to get started with homeschooling.

Maybe you had trouble with math or science when you were in school. Or maybe there are some subjects you never really learned well. Perhaps when you tell people you want to homeschool, they say things like, “But how will you teach things you don’t know yourself?”

Here’s the truth: Nobody knows everything—and that’s okay! In fact, not knowing everything can actually make you a better teacher. When you homeschool, something magical happens—you and your child become learning buddies. Those subjects you’re not sure about? They’re perfect chances to show your kid how fun it is to learn new things together.

When you say “Let’s figure this out together!” you’re teaching your child something super important. You’re showing them that learning is a lifelong adventure. Even adults need to learn new things to keep reaching new goals.

So all those things you’re worried about not knowing well enough? They’re not problems – they’re opportunities to grow with your child!

Filling in the gaps

Those things you never learned in school aren’t problems – they’re golden opportunities to learn something new. This works because homeschooling is based on a whole different philosophy from traditional school.

In traditional school, everyone moves together like they’re on a moving walkway. Same lessons, same pace, same time. Miss a day? You have to catch up fast! Confused about something? Too bad – the class is already moving on to the next thing. It’s no wonder some important stuff gets missed along the way!

But homeschooling is a whole different story. There’s no rush, no race, and no pressure to keep up with anyone else. You and your child can take your sweet time with each lesson. What matters is:

• What your child is ready to learn
• What gets them excited
• Moving at the pace that is right for them

Most parents thinking about homeschooling went to regular schools themselves. Of course there are things we missed or forgot! Even if you went to the best school ever, there will be times when you look at something and think “Whoa… I have NO CLUE what this is!” And you know what? That’s perfectly fine!

Here’s the great part: As a homeschooling parent, you get to be a student all over again. You’ll be able to find answers to questions that you never got good answers to when you were younger. You’ll be able to fill in any gaps in what you understand. And you’ll be able to use your new knowledge to make your child’s education even better.

Just one step ahead

Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t homeschool because you’re not an expert in every subject. That’s not true at all! Your main job is to be an expert on your child. This means knowing:

• How they learn best
• What gets them excited about learning
• How to help them succeed

For the school subjects, you just need to stay one step ahead of your child. This is easy to do if you use good homeschooling resources.

There are experts who make lessons just for homeschoolers. These people have spent their careers understanding their subjects and breaking them down into small pieces that are easy to teach at home. There are so many great resources out there that it can be hard to choose!

Even if you know a lot about a subject, you might not know the best order to teach things to your child. You might not know how to explain ideas step by step. Finding a great subject-specific curriculum will help you teach your child one lesson at a time.

Remember, you don’t have to know everything. You just need to be able to:

• Follow the curriculum
• Ask questions
• Look things up
• Help your child understand

Think of yourself as a learning guide instead of the all-knowing teacher. This takes a lot of pressure off you and makes learning more fun for everyone!

Learning alongside your kids for the win!

Learning alongside your kids can help you grow closer as a family. You’ll both get excited about discovering new things together. This can make learning more fun and meaningful for both of you.

Learning isn’t just about doing worksheets and taking tests. It’s about:

• Finding new ideas
• Making connections
• Understanding the world better
• Growing into a person with the skills and knowledge to live a good life

Homeschooling gives you the freedom to talk about more than what’s in the textbook. As you explore a topic together, you can have great conversations about what you’re learning and how it connects to real life. This can make learning much more interesting than just sticking to a book.

When your child sees you learning too, they’ll learn that it’s normal to keep learning as a grown-up. They’ll see that you can always ask questions and learn new things, no matter how old you are. You’ll be showing them what’s called a “growth mindset.” This means believing that you can learn anything if you ask the right questions and keep trying.

How to learn as you go

These days, there are tons of ways to learn and teach—both online and in real life! Let me share some ideas that really work.

• Use a curriculum: Many homeschooling curricula are made with parents in mind. They give clear instructions, ways to change lessons if needed, and advice on teaching your kids at home. It might take some trial and error to find the right fit for you and your child. But, this will save you time compared to figuring everything out on your own!
• Try online classes: Just because you’re homeschooling doesn’t mean you always have to be the teacher! If your schedule and budget allow, you can find teachers online for every topic under the sun. Try searching for what you need on Outschool, IndyEd, or Facebook.
• Ask questions and find answers together: Don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. Instead, use it as an opportunity to research the answer with your child. This is a great way to reinforce problem-solving and information literacy skills.
• Join homeschooling groups or co-ops: Many areas now have homeschooling support groups. These offer learning experiences or co-ops where parents share their knowledge and support each other. If you don’t find one that aligns with your values, why not start your own?
• Be ready for your role to change as your kids grow: In the higher grades, it will become less practical to continue to teach them everything yourself. This is especially true if they want to do advanced work. Your role will shift as they become teenagers; instead of being the main teacher, you become more of a coach and guide as they find their own path.

Get help when you need it

Homeschooling does NOT mean you have to do everything on your own. Every child, parent, and family is unique, and we all face challenges! One important thing to learn as a homeschooling parent is where to find the right support when you need it.

Here are some ideas:

• Online or in-person homeschooling support groups: Other homeschool parents can be a great source of advice and support. They’ve often faced similar challenges and can share what worked for them. Just remember that ultimately, you know your family best, so take advice that works for you and leave the rest.
• Get to know your local public library: Make it a habit to visit your library regularly. Libraries offer much more than just books! Many have:
  • Free tutoring
  • Workshops
  • Games and equipment to borrow
  • Events for homeschoolers
• Find out what your library offers and make the most of these resources.
• Consult with professionals: Don’t be afraid to hire a tutor or talk to a specialist if needed. Sometimes our children need help that we can’t give them by ourselves, but we can still make sure they are supported.
• Local colleges or universities: Some higher education institutions offer programs or classes for homeschoolers. This can be especially helpful for advanced subjects in high school.
• Homeschooling conferences or workshops: These events can be great for learning new strategies for teaching your kids at home, finding resources, and connecting with other homeschooling families.

Never stop growing!

Homeschooling is not about having all the answers. It’s about creating an education that meets your child’s needs at every stage. The gaps in your knowledge aren’t barriers—they’re bridges to learning and growth for both of you.

Remember, you have always been your child’s most important teacher! From their first words to their first steps, you’ve been there, guiding and supporting them. Homeschooling continues this natural learning process.

So take a deep breath and smile – you’ve got this! You have what it takes to help your child grow every single day. And that’s a pretty amazing thing to see!