How to Respond to Those Annoying Homeschool Questions
Homeschooling / Unschooling

How to Respond to Those Annoying Homeschool Questions

Ahhh social gatherings, a minefield of questions and judgements for anyone not on the standard life path pushed on you by society. What a joy, ha!

If you’re a homeschooler or unschooler you’re probably already looking ahead to the holiday season in anticipation of the awkward conversations, backhanded compliments and questioning of your choices. Merry Christmas!

Isn’t it just the worst when you’re caught off guard and then you think of a great reply when the moment has already passed?

How about we get prepared this time!

A few things to consider…

A little disclaimer… these responses aren’t for everyone. If you’re a fed up homeschooler dealing with rude relatives you might find something useful. But, before you reply, consider where the questioner is coming from.

How to Respond to Those Annoying Homeschool Questions

Are they genuinely interested?

Sometimes people are genuinely curious! Maybe their questions don’t come out right, but they still have good intentions. In this case, we have a chance to educate them on what homeschooling/unschooling is really like and how awesome it is! To share our passion. I’m always keen to do that.

Are they being rude?

Sometimes people are really just being rude, and you know it. You know they’ve asked this question before, you know they know the answer, you know they’re just trying to make a point. Or maybe it’s their tone or the comment that is joking-but-not-really-joking. I don’t know about you, but I’m totally cool with snarky replies delivered with a smile in this case.

Is this worth my time?

Do you want to have an in-depth discussion right now? Sometimes I’m up for it, sometimes I just want to politely answer the question in a way that stops any further conversation. Maybe I know this person isn’t actually open to hearing another perspective, maybe I suspect they want to debate, maybe I just don’t know them that well enough to be invested in educating them on homeschooling at this very minute. I might respond differently depending on the person, and depending on how I feel that day.

How to Respond to Those Annoying Homeschool Questions

Now, with that out of the way, let’s get to the point…

How to Respond to Rude Comments About Homeschooling

Use at your own risk, ha!

Are you still doing that? “Are you still asking this question?”

When are you going to put them in school? “We don’t believe in school.”

How do you know they’re keeping up? “We have no desire to keep up with others. We’re going our own way.”

“It’s not like I’m reading about them on a report written by a stranger. I do see them every day you know?”

What about socialisation? “We don’t believe in socialisation.”

“YES! That’s exactly why we homeschool”

“We’re going for civilised, not socialised.”

Don’t they want to go to school? “Would you want to go to prison?”

How do they make friends? “How do you make friends?”

What if they ask to go to school? You’ll let them right? “What if your kids ask to homeschool? You’ll let them, right?”

Is it even legal? “Are you saying you think I could be a criminal?”

You must be super organised? “If by organised you mean free?”

You must have magical/easy children. It would never work for my kids! “Yes, they are magical unicorn children.”

Do you feel like sending them to school some days? “Oh, I would never punish them like that.”

I could never do that! “That’s ok.”

Are you crazy? “Kind of.”

Are you busy? “Only when I want to be.”

Are you a teacher? “No way.”

Aren’t you worried they’ll be weird? “I’m counting on it! I’d be more worried about them having their personality standardised out of them at school.”

How to Respond to Those Annoying Homeschool Questions

I knew this one family who homeschooled and their kids ended up (insert any number of terrible things here). “And you’re telling me this because?”

Why do you homeschool? “Um because it’s AMAZING! I could go on for hours about it, want to hear?”

Do you ever leave the house? “Current evidence would suggest I do.”

How can you stand being around your kids all day? “Have you not met them?”

Do they give you stuff to teach? “Nah, I just make it up as I go along.”

You don’t do that unschooling thing, do you? “Exclusively.”

I personally think kids need school. “Good for you.”

What if they want to go to uni? “Then to university they will go!”

What about when they’re teenagers? “I fully predict they will one day be teenagers.”

Hey Johnny, what’s 2×3? “We don’t do random pop quizzes thanks.”

“Are you checking I’m teaching them to your standard?”

How to Respond to Those Annoying Homeschool Questions

Ok so some of them I might only say in my head, but man that feels good to get out!

Others I’m totally going to use though. If you’re the fourth person in a day to ask me pointedly if I’m still doing that, then I can’t be responsible for my response.

In all seriousness, a few things to keep in mind when you’re questioned about your awesome choices…

Don’t get into a debate. Your families decisions aren’t up for debate. It’s no one else’s business other than the people it directly concerns. Be firm with your boundaries! Tell people this isn’t something you’re willing to debate. Let them know they are free to disagree but it doesn’t change your choices and you would appreciate them keeping their criticism to themselves.

If people are truly interested, educate them. If you have the time and patience, definitely spread the word to the people who genuinely care and want to know more. Those people are awesome!

Be kind first. I would try to assume the best and go for a kind reply first. If it becomes clear that they’re really just being rude and critical, well… one of the above replies might be satisfying.

How to Respond to Those Annoying Homeschool Questions

Maybe you won’t even need to use any of these because everyone you meet is awesome and supportive. A Christmas miracle! Hey, at least you’ll be prepared.

What’s the most annoying question you get? What’s your favourite reply?

How to respond to Those Annoying Homeschool Questions

Comments

Jennifer
December 1, 2017 at 1:44 am

Good morning. You are awesome! That is all. Goo day ☀️



Jo McAndrews
December 1, 2017 at 7:07 am

I often get told ‘Ooh you’re brave!’
Me: It would be much more brave to send her to school, now that would be scary



Grace
December 1, 2017 at 11:16 pm

You know, I’ve read a lot of posts like this (responses to annoying questions/rude people). But had never had it happen to me…until recently. I was told by a self proclaimed “well meaning friend” that I was narcissistic to think I could teach all that life has to offer and “what an ego you must have!” I was floored! The best part was that he started the whole tirade with, “I know nothing about homeschooling but…”!!! I couldn’t even begin to start explaining my point of view. By the time he called me a narcissistic and I was causing irreparable harm to my daughter I was done. I told him that I wasn’t seeking his approval and I didn’t care what he thought about the choices I made for my child. Different scares a lot of people. Sometimes explanation falls on deaf ears and you have to walk away. I hope I never have to deal with someone like that again! I could deal with most other comments with good humor or even snarky responses. It’s the ones who truly don’t want to hear your truth that are the WORST!



    December 2, 2017 at 6:04 am

    OMG that is awful. I’m so sorry 💜



    May
    December 2, 2017 at 9:33 pm

    “I know nothing about homeschooling”, well yes, you sure got that right, rude man! How narcissistic of HIM to think that he knew what was right for your children. I’m certain you are doing a great job, and equally certain that he should have not even the tiniest effect on your confidence or choices.



      April
      September 22, 2018 at 10:05 pm

      Next door neighbor told me yesterday, “you need to put him in school, he is so immature.” (My son is 12 and he is immature but so is every other 12 year old I’ve met) I responded “please don’t give me advice I did not ask for, thanks”…. It’s so unnerving hearing people freely say whatever they feel (he never time to get to know my son)



        Amber
        May 16, 2023 at 10:22 pm

        These answers made me laugh, but I wish homeschool parents hadn’t responded so sarcastically when I asked about socializing. Of course I was skeptical (as I am about anything unfamiliar) but I genuinely wanted to know if homeschooling was an option. Having been the recipient of rude answers, my standard answer when people ask me about socialization is: “we have a co-op, social groups, playdates, classes, and sports. I wish I had known that my kids could experience such high quality social time– we would ditched public school much sooner!”



December 2, 2017 at 3:50 am

These are great! I tend to get a lot of curious people asking questions, because they’ve just never heard of something so whacky! Unschooling, what a concept! I jump head first into all the reasons we do it and I see their eyes gloss over and I’m afraid I loose them altogether, lol!



Regina
December 30, 2017 at 11:55 pm

I so much love this post.
We unschool our youngest son (13) here in Germany. since this summer and we LOVE it.
I wish I had had the braveness to unschool my older, now grown-up kids, too!
Unschooling is totally forbidden in Germany and causes many problems.
But it is totally worth it.
We very often hear and read things in the German Internet like you describe.
I´ll keep you post and refer to it as soon as I read or hear some stupid comments on our unschooling again.



Greg
March 5, 2018 at 5:36 pm

I am sooo very glad this blog was shared with me by a new unschooling friend. Just to know that there are so many people out there doing the same thing. I’ve always felt like a bit of an outcast throughout my life (especially during school, although I hid it well). Now that I’m doing something so different (to most) but so important for my kids, even I have had my doubts. The support, both from the articles and books, and everyone on here is going to be huge. We gotta stick together!



Ultrawoman
April 16, 2018 at 12:30 pm

This was totally excellent!!!



Jo
April 19, 2018 at 7:07 pm

Fantastic read, great responses! Thank you I will definitely be using some of them.
Well done xx



Cheyenne
March 20, 2019 at 8:10 am

As the 9th child/ baby of my family my siblings often ask me questions. Most of the time they are polite and genuinely curious. However, there are the few who repeatedly question my ability to homeschool. The most common question I am asked is, “Will your son be socially awkward?” Also, they things like if I will be putting him in sports so he is around people his age. I feel frustrated and upset when they doubt me and when they question my parenting choices. EVERYONE always seems to have an opinion when other parents make choices for their own children that are not the same as them. I will be using some of these answers for sure!



Cindy
October 24, 2020 at 11:42 am

I have one kid in school and one at home. When questioned why I say that I do what makes each of my kids happy and helps them to thrive. Generally shuts people up. If not, the home schooled kid is always happy to pipe in, “I don’t want to go to school. I like learning with mommy!” Or the kid in school, “ugh! Last spring was awful! I couldn’t wait to go back to school!”



Natasha
December 9, 2020 at 12:39 pm

💖 Love this 💖 I have had many tough conversations over the past 3 years that we have been homeschooling. More and more now my son is going into high school years had he been at school! The most recent was from a family member who told me I was ruining my kids dreams 🤣 Apparently he knows my kids better than me and thinks their dreams involve going to university! Also obviously doesn’t realise they can still go to University if homeschooled. So many uneducated adults out there…especially when it comes to options for learning in life! Thank you for your insightful posts!



lesley
August 10, 2021 at 7:48 pm

I find there’s another category of people who make comments along the lines of they don’t know how I do it/ they could never do it. They are people who might have imagined themselves home educating and feel guilty and/or sad that they found parenting much harder than they expected, and were desperate for a break by the time their child was school age. I always try to let them know i am not some sort of super-human and i have bad days too, and my be plant the seed that they could make it work for their family too.



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