What Makes You a True Homeschooler? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself
Ready to play along? Use this homeschool checklist!
Are you a true homeschooler, or just homeschool curious? This playful homeschool checklist is here to help you find out. After nine years of homeschooling my own family of four, I’ve gathered the top “rites of passage” that, in my opinion, separate the casual participants from the deep-in-your-bones, coffee-powered homeschool veterans.
Grab your imaginary pencil, tally up your points, and—most importantly—share your score in the comments so we can all compare notes.
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The Homeschool Checklist: 10 Rites of Passage
1. Been Asked the “Socialization” Question… While Socializing
If someone has questioned your child’s “socialization” skills while you were literally out in the world—at a birthday party, the park, or a museum—you get a point. Bonus if you had to smile politely while wondering if they noticed your child was mid-conversation with three other kids at the time.
2. Planned Pajama School
Not the “oops, we never got dressed” kind of day. I’m talking scheduled pajama school—promised ahead of time as a treat. If your spouse walked in after work and gave you the “so… no one got dressed?” look, bonus point.
3. Survived the Curriculum Meltdown
Hours of research. Money spent. The excitement of a shiny new homeschool curriculum… followed by the sinking realization it won’t work for your child. If you’ve lived the heartbreak of the great curriculum switch, check that box.
4. Bragged About Homeschool Perks
Empty zoo at 10 a.m. on a Wednesday? Off-season beach trip? Cheaper vacations? If you’ve ever casually flexed a homeschool perk to a non-homeschooler, give yourself a point.
5. Your Child Got a Pop Quiz in Public
Some distant relative—or complete stranger—asks your kid to recite multiplication facts or name state capitals on the spot. The more random the question and the less appropriate for their age level, the higher your “true homeschooler” score.
6. The “What Grade Are You In?” Stumble
Your child hesitates, looks confused, or answers in a way that makes strangers think you’ve failed them completely. If you’ve had to quickly explain that homeschooling doesn’t fit neatly into one grade box, you’ve earned your point.
7. Attended a Homeschool-Only Class or Event
Daytime Ninja class. Science lab at the local museum. Homeschool roller skating day. If you’ve joined an event just for homeschoolers during school hours, add a point.
8. Sat Through the “I Could Never Homeschool” Speech
You say “We homeschool.” They say “Oh, I could never! I don’t have the patience.” You smile awkwardly, unsure whether to explain, debate, or change the subject. If you’ve been here, you know—it’s worth a point.
9. Skipped School… Just Because
Beautiful weather, surprise event, or simply not in the mood? If you’ve ever decided to ditch homeschool for the day and call it “life learning,” mark it down.
10. Shut Down Doubters with Facts
You’ve pulled out statistics about homeschoolers excelling in college, social readiness, or real-world preparedness—ending a conversation with undeniable proof. That’s a rite of passage worth celebrating.
**Here’s a new fave: https://nheri.org/research-facts-on-homeschooling/
How to Score Your Homeschool Checklist
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1–3 points → Homeschool Curious
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4–6 points → Official Homeschooler
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7+ points → Homeschool Veteran (teach the rest of us your ways!)
Bonus Points You Might Have Earned:
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Sibling drama doubling as a social studies lesson
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Kitchen table science experiments gone wrong
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Doing math in the car during a road trip
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Being mistaken for “on vacation” simply because you’re out during school hours
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Field trip planning that rivals NASA’s mission prep
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Using YouTube as your substitute teacher
Share Your Score!
Homeschool life is full of quirks, joys, and those only-we-get-it moments. This homeschool checklist is just a starting point—I want to hear your additions. What have you experienced that screams “true homeschooler”? Drop your score (and any extra rites of passage) in the comments so we can keep this list growing.
