23. Beyond the Classroom: How to Know If Homeschooling Is Right for Me with Julie Walter
- Brittany Miller
- Aug 21, 2023
- 16 min read
Updated: Sep 27
If you've ever asked yourself, "how to know if homeschooling is right for me," you've come to the right place. I've been asking myself the same question so I invited a homeschooling expert on the. podcast to help me (and you) better understand how homeschooling works and if it's the right fit for our family.
Julie Walter of Family Yields navigated public school, part-time teaching roles, and eventually, a homeschooling rhythm that fit her life. Julie is a certified teacher with years in classrooms, a longtime homeschooler, and the founder of a forest school learning pod. In this episode she'll walk you through the questions she asked, the steps she took, the resources she recommends on, and the honest, everyday realities of making a decision about education for your children.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
What homeschooling actually looks like (and why it’s not what you imagine)
How to prepare yourself for homeschooling (the emotional and practical work)
Time, energy and family logistics: making homeschooling work with a job
Socialization and peers: the sibling and mixed-age advantage
How to test the idea: small experiments to answer "how to know if homeschooling is right for me"
Balancing entrepreneurial life (or a job) with homeschooling
Final thoughts: answering "how to know if homeschooling is right for me"
Why ask "how to know if homeschooling is right for me"?
When someone first suggests homeschooling, the question "how to know if homeschooling is right for me" often hides a cluster of emotions: fear, curiosity, protection, and sometimes relief. For many parents, schooling is the default because it’s familiar. Choosing differently feels risky, and it triggers practical worries: Can I still work my job? Will my kids miss friends? Are we sacrificing a future opportunity?
I remember the exact feeling: a mix of excitement and worry. Julie explained it well—many of the fears are not about the children, they’re about us as parents. We worry about our ability to teach, to maintain the family connection, and to make up for experiences that school traditionally provides (class photos, field trips, teams, etc.).
Answering "how to know if homeschooling is right for me" is about peeling back those fears and separating the real constraints from imagined ones. For most families the key issues are legal constraints, practical logistics, finances, and what you value most in day-to-day life with your children.
What homeschooling actually looks like (and why it’s not what you imagine)
One of the most common misconceptions is that homeschooling means a child sitting at a desk from nine to three, doing worksheets. That's a school day transplanted at home. In Julie’s experience — homeschooling rarely looks like that.
I used to think that our day needed to mimic the institutional structure of classrooms. What changed everything was hearing Julia talk about loosening the rigid expectation of "what school must look like," and shifting to a more flexible, interest-led model. The result was learning that happens in short, meaningful bursts, built around life and curiosity.
Some practical ways homeschooling looks in real life:
Short focused sessions: 20–45 minute lessons for core skills, not hours of seatwork.
Weekend book work: when parents work a day job, some families breeze through curriculum on weekends or evenings.
One-to-one acceleration: One child can learn something in a fraction of the time compared to a whole classroom because instruction is individualized.
Living as curriculum: trips to the library, the woods, a museum, or even a YouTube deep dive on a topic (like cheetahs or Blender 3D) are legitimate learning moments.
Unschooling or interest-led learning: learning is driven by curiosity. If a child wants to learn coding, they might devour resources and build portfolio items quickly.
As Julie says, "School is life. Life is school." If you’re asking if homeschooling is right for you, part of the answer may be deciding whether you’re open to that integration of life and learning.
Learning pods, co-ops, and other alternatives
If full homeschooling feels like a leap, there are many middle-ground options. Julie runs a forest school learning pod—three days a week, outdoor-focused, and with minimal book work each visit. Learning pods and co-ops vary dramatically, so the first step is to understand the landscape.
Common alternatives to full-time public schooling:
Learning pods: Small groups led by either a parent or a teacher. Pods may mirror public-school curriculum or be alternative. Some meet several days a week; others are enrichment-focused.
Co-ops: Parent-run groups where parents organize lessons or workshops on a rotating basis. Great for skill-sharing and community building.
Private or religious schools: Often a familiar structure but with different values or teaching styles.
Forest schools and outdoor programs: Emphasize nature-based learning with physical, social, and cognitive benefits.
Hybrid models: Students attend school some days and are homeschooled other days, or take specialized classes while learning other subjects at home.
When you think about homeschooling, consider whether a hybrid or pod-based approach might meet your needs. These can give you a taste of homeschool-style flexibility while maintaining some structure or adult support.
Legal and administrative first steps
Before you decide, you need to know the legal realities where you live. Rules and oversight differ between provinces and states. Julie pointed to HSLDA (Homeschooling Legal Defence Association) as a resource to understand requirements and advocates for homeschooling families. The very first step I recommend:
Find your local regulations. Ask the school board: “If we pull our child from the public system, what do we need to submit?”
Know whether you must file a letter of intent each year. (In Ontario, for example, if your child has been registered, you must file a letter of intent annually.)
Clarify attendance reporting and any required assessments where you live.
Knowing the legal requirements solves a lot of anxiety immediately. If you’re asking "how to know if homeschooling is right for me," being clear on rules is the first pragmatic move.
Next steps once you decide to investigate homeschooling
If you decide to explore homeschooling seriously, here's a realistic checklist to help you get started.
Decide the model: full homeschool, hybrid, pod, co-op, or a combination.
Map your constraints: work schedule, budget, child's needs, and supports (family, partner, community).
Create a simple learning plan: prioritize core skills (reading, math, writing) and plan how to address them weekly.
Join local groups: Facebook groups, community pages, or local homeschooling associations. Real families are the best resource.
Borrow resources: libraries, used curriculum swappers, and community resources lower cost dramatically.
Prepare the logistics: notify the school board if required, choose curriculum materials, and prepare a space (even a small corner) for focused learning.
Julie recommends starting with curiosity-driven, small steps. She created a five-day challenge called "Should I Homeschool?" to help parents untangle mindset and logistics (which was very helpful for me!).
She also notes that if you want to test the waters, small experiments are the safest way to learn what works and what doesn't. You can try doing some homeschooling activities in the evenings, on the weekends or during school holidays to see how they go before committing to homeschooling full-time.
Sample simple plan for a busy parent
If you work part-time or full-time, here’s a realistic schedule that many families use:
Mornings (30–90 mins): Focused core work when everyone is fresh. Reading, math, and writing.
Afternoons: Life learning—library trips, nature walks, art, projects related to interests.
Evenings or Weekends: Catch-up sessions for book work or project reflection, especially if parents only have that time available.
Remember: One-to-one teaching is efficient. You can cover in a week what takes a school a month—because you’re not holding students to a group pace.
How much time does homeschooling require?
One of the most asked questions is precisely this: “How much time will homeschooling demand?” The short answer: far less than you think for focused instruction, but other juggling is required.
Key reality checks:
Core instruction can be short: thirty minutes a day of targeted math, thirty minutes for language—more is optional.
Interest-led learning often happens in chunks across the day—reading a book about cheetahs between breakfast and a walk, building a model, or watching a tutorial on 3D rendering—these moments are learning too.
When multiple kids are involved, group activities are efficient. Rotate tasks and use peer teaching where older siblings help younger ones.
If you’re wrestling with "how to know if homeschooling is right for me" and your concern is time, ask: Can I design a day where short focused lessons + living learning = educational growth? For many families, the answer is yes.
How to prepare yourself for homeschooling (the emotional and practical work)
Here’s the truth: preparing your child is often easier than preparing yourself. The fear that you're not a teacher, or that you'll fail your child, is common. But Julie reminded me—and I agree—that teaching is learned by doing. Being an effective homeschooling parent is part pedagogy and part relationship-building.
Mindset and emotional preparation:
Decide your values: Why are you considering homeschooling? Is it family connection, flexibility, concern with the school environment, or a desire for a different educational philosophy?
Deconstruct fear: List your fears. Which are solvable and which are unknowable? For solvable ones, create a plan; for existential fears, accept uncertainty.
Deschool: If you’re leaving public school, deschool yourself. Question assumptions like “school must look x way” and replace them with curiosity.
Allow yourself to flounder: You’ll learn on the job. Your child will forgive you, and you’ll improve quickly.
Practical preparation for homeschooling:
Inventory skills: What are you strong in (math, art, organization)? Where might you need support?
Find local supports: Identify co-ops, tutors, or pod leaders who can fill gaps (e.g., specialized math or languages).
Set boundaries: Build a daily rhythm that preserves your energy. Julie schedules morning time for work and homeschool prep before she starts her kids’ day.
Create a resource library: local library cards, used curriculum networks, and an online folder of tutorials, videos, and lesson plans.
To answer "how to know if homeschooling is right for me," you must look inward. If you’re ready to learn alongside your child, accept uncertainty, and design a life that prioritizes family connection, homeschooling may be a natural fit.
What homeschooling costs (realistically)
Let’s debunk a myth: homeschooling is always more expensive. The truth is—it can be cheap or it can be costly depending on choices. Many families spend under $500 a year on curriculum and materials, especially if they rely on libraries, used books, and free online resources.
Common expense areas:
Curriculum books and teacher guides (many cost $25–$100 per book; some programs are part A/B editions).
Workbooks and consumable materials.
Field trips and membership fees (museums, science centers, Renaissance fairs, nature centers).
Material costs for projects and supplies (paints, tools, gardening equipment).
Enrichment classes or tutors (music, language, specialized math).
Examples from Julie:
Math curriculum: $25 per book, two parts per year = $50 per child.
Language practice or daily grammar books: $28 (sometimes free PDFs).
Field trip typical costs: $10–$25 per child depending on destination.
Used curriculum and library loans: a major cost-saver.
Budgeting tip: Decide what you value (outdoor learning? art supplies? curriculum completeness?) and allocate funds accordingly. If budget is the main barrier to homeschooling your children investigate local swaps, library resources, and co-op fee-sharing.
Time, energy and family logistics: making homeschooling work with a job
One of the most frequent questions I answer is: "I work—how would I homeschool?" Here are practical strategies that Julie and many families use:
Part-time public school + homeschool: children attend a pod or school a few days a week and are homeschooled other days.
Evening or weekend book work: reserve a few hours over the weekend for concentrated lessons.
Shared parenting roles: involve grandparents or partners for part of the day.
Micro-block scheduling: short lessons during pockets of availability (breakfast, lunch, nap-time).
Asynchronous learning: older kids can work on structured online lessons while the parent attends to younger children.
Julie also mentions that homeschooling is a lot like entreprenurship (yay for us entreprenurs!) which we talk about more in a minute, it's all about flexibility and pirorities. If you’re evaluating how to homeschool and you have a job, ask: can we create a rhythm that preserves my working time while allowing short, meaningful learning sessions? In most cases, yes.
Socialization and peers: the sibling and mixed-age advantage
People often worry about socialization. Julie points out that same-age cohorts are a school invention designed for logistics. In fact, mixed-age groups offer powerful learning dynamics: older kids mentor younger ones; younger kids get exposure to advanced skills; everyone practices leadership and empathy.
Consider these points:
Siblings who are close in age can remain a central peer connection if they aren’t separated into different school cohorts.
Learning pods and co-ops create social networks without relying on age-homogeneous classrooms.
Community classes, sports clubs, and extracurriculars can supplement peer interaction.
If your central worry is socialization, ask yourself which social qualities matter most: sustained friendships, variety of peers, adult mentorship, or sibling closeness? Homeschooling is flexible enough to design for many of these needs. There are often lots of activity options for homeschooling families that provide the desired socialization as well.
Signs your child is thriving or struggling (and what to do)
To decide whether to homeschool or continue in a system, watch your child’s relationship with learning and with you:
Signs of thriving: curiosity (asking questions like "can we learn about cheetahs?"), joy in discovery, eagerness to share what they learned, consistent emotional stability, and positive family interactions.
Signs of struggle: dread about school, steady decline in curiosity, emotional withdrawal, or physical symptoms related to attendance (stomachaches, trouble sleeping).
Watch for nuanced signs: some kids love school superficially because they’re rewarded for performance, but that can lead to perfectionism and anxiety. Ultimately, evaluate whether the school-fed performance is nurturing healthy learning or just compliance.
If you notice negative signs:
Open a conversation with your child about what parts they like and dislike.
Test small changes: shift one subject to a different method, try a day of interest-led learning, or attend a pod for a week.
Seek professional support if anxiety, learning disorders, or social issues are present.
Common homeschooling myths—debunked
Myth #1: You need a teaching degree to homeschool
Truth: Parents learn alongside their children and can rely on community resources, tutors, and curricula to learn how to homeschool. Julie also mentions that teaching degrees are mostly to teach yu how to lead a classroom, not how to teach children.
Myth #2: Homeschooled kids miss socialization
Truth: Mixed-age groups, co-ops, and community libraries offer rich social learning experiences for kids. There are plenty of Facebook groups for homeschooling families to get together for socialization purposes.
Myth #3: Homeschooling is always expensive
Truth: It can be very affordable if you use free or secondhand resources and local community options.
How to test Out homeschooling Before Committing To It full-Time
Before you make a full switch, try small, low-risk experiments:
Week of interest-led learning: Choose a topic your child is passionate about and structure several short sessions around it.
Mini pod trial: Join a single session at a local learning pod or co-op to see the dynamics.
Weekend curriculum sprint: Do a focused weekend of math and language work to see how much can be achieved in short time.
Parent deschooling week: Spend a week consciously observing how your child learns naturally, then journal your observations.
These tests answer the central question of "how to know if homeschooling is right for me" by creating direct evidence: does your child engage deeply? Do you as a parent find the rhythm sustainable? Do you see growth and curiosity?
Tools, curricula and resources that make the transition easier
If you do decide to move forward, having the right tools helps enormously. Julie shared some practical resource suggestions:
Straightforward math programs like Singapore Math (teacher manuals exist for about $50) can be very effective when paired with one-on-one attention.
Short daily language workbooks (daily language review) or phonics readers like Bob Books accelerate reading.
Community and digital resources: YouTube for tutorials, library holds, and PDF worksheets (with respect for copyright).
Pod and co-op networks: Local Facebook groups are a goldmine for swaps, curriculum sharing, and finding used materials.
Remember: you don’t need to buy everything. Borrow from libraries, trade with other families, and buy used—homeschool communities are resourceful and thrifty.
Balancing entrepreneurial life (or a job) with homeschooling
If you run a business or work as an entrepreneur, homeschooling can be surprisingly compatible because both roles require flexibility and experimentation. Julie often tell families that the entrepreneurial mindset is an advantage: you test, iterate, and adapt. Homeschooling asks you to do the same.
Practical integration tips:
Use early mornings or evenings as your focused work blocks.
Teach your children independence: older kids can work on specific tasks while you handle calls.
Designate co-working/learn work sessions where you’re both productive together: kids do projects, you do deep work nearby.
When I ask "how to know if homeschooling is right for me" to entrepreneur parents, the tipping point is almost always: can we design a life where both the business and the family can grow with flexibility? If yes, homeschooling often fits.
Quotes and advice that stuck with me from My Conversation with Julie Walter
"School is life. Life is school."
"You don't learn how to teach until you do it. Your kids will forgive you; they have time to be kids."
These lines helped me see homeschooling as a design problem—one I could iterate on, rather than a single all-or-nothing decision.
FAQ: Before You Decide if Homeschooling Is Right For You
Q: How do I begin if I'm asking "how to know if homeschooling is right for me"?
A: Start small. Take a week-long experiment where your child leads a project. Join local Facebook homeschool groups. Download a simple checklist of legal requirements in your area. The more you try, the clearer your answer will become.
Q: Will my child miss out on sports, music or social experiences if I homeschool?
A: Not necessarily. Homeschoolers often access community sports, music schools, and clubs. Being intentional about extracurriculars is essential—but it's a design choice, not an inevitability.
Q: I'm not a teacher. How do I manage curriculum and instruction?
A: You don't need to be a trained teacher. Many parents use teacher manuals, online tutorials, and co-ops. Start with a simple curriculum for core skills and rely on community resources to fill gaps.
Q: Financially, what does homeschooling cost and can I keep costs low?
A: You can keep costs low with library resources, used books, PDF worksheets, and conservative curriculum choices. Many families spend under $500/year. If both parents must work, then hybrid options like pods or part-time school can be pursued.
Check out this episode of the Go Get Great podcast for tips on budgeting for large families to make room for additional homeschooling costs ↓
Q: How do I evaluate if my child is thriving and answer "how to know if homeschooling is right for me"?
A: Watch for curiosity and emotional health. Are they excited about learning? Are they emotionally regulated? Do they show signs of anxiety or dread about school? Your child's energy and curiosity are the best signals.
Q: My partner isn't on board. Any tips for discussing homeschooling Options with Them?
A: Start with small experiments and shared data. Invite your partner to a pod session, share research and resources, and list practical solutions to their fears (financial plan, schedules, community supports). Evidence-based, low-risk trials help more than abstract debates.
Q: What if my child has special learning needs—can we homeschool?
A: Many families homeschool children with learning differences. Homeschooling can provide individualized strategies and pace. However, you may want to seek specialized resources, therapists, or tutors to support needs like dyslexia or ADHD. Planning and support are key.
Q: Will homeschooling limit my child’s future opportunities (college, jobs)?
A: Many homeschoolers attend college and succeed professionally. Documentation of learning, portolios, and standardized assessments (if required or chosen) can demonstrate readiness. Research university admissions policies in your region if this is a concern.
Q: How many hours per day will I actually spend teaching if I homeschool?
A: Focused, direct instruction is typically short—think 30–90 minutes for core subjects divided into 20–45 minute sprints—depending on age. Additional "learning time" happens informally through projects, outings, and everyday curiosity.
Q: How soon will I know the answer to "how to know if homeschooling is right for me" after starting?
A: You’ll usually get a strong sense in weeks to months from observing your child’s engagement and your own energy levels. Give it a trial period (a semester or a school year) before making a final call.
Q: Are there support services for parents who haven’t taught before?
A: Yes. Look for local tutoring, online curricula with teacher guides, co-op teaching swaps, and coaching programs. Julie offers resources such as a "Should I Homeschool?" challenge and a Homeschooling Empowerment Course (findable through FamilyYields.com and her Instagram @familyyields).
Q: What if my child is behind academically—can homeschooling help?
A: Homeschooling allows for individualized pacing and targeted remediation. Many children catch up quickly with one-on-one attention and interest-led approaches that rebuild confidence and motivation.
Q: How can I track progress without stressing my child about tests and grades?
A: Use portfolios, project outputs, periodic checklists, and informal assessments. Many parents compile work samples, photos, and project descriptions across the year instead of frequent standardized testing.
Q: How do I maintain my own mental health while homeschooling?
A: Prioritize self-care blocks, community supports, realistic expectations, and boundaries. Schedule "me time" like Julie does (Morning creative/design time before the kids wake), trade childcare with trusted friends, and remember that imperfect days are normal.
Actionable next steps you can take this week
Write your fears and label them: solvable vs. unsolvable. Create small experiments to solve the solvable ones.
Ask one practical question of your local school board: "What do we need to do to withdraw our child?"
Join a local homeschool Facebook group and ask for a curriculum swap or used book leads.
Try a one-week interest-led experiment with your child and journal the results.
Final thoughts: answering "how to know if homeschooling is right for me"
If you’re here because you care deeply about supporting your child’s learning and your family’s well-being, then you’re already on the right path. Asking "how to know if homeschooling is right for me" is courageous because it invites design, experimentation, and growth. I
t's not a one-time question—it's a process. It’s about clarifying values, testing assumptions, and designing an educational life that matches your family priorities. You don’t need to be certain on day one. You can start small, iterate, and adapt. You can also choose hybrid options or local pods if full-time homeschooling isn't the right fit.
Julie’s advice—repeatedly point to a core truth: the quality of the learning relationship matters more than the format. Whether you choose public school, a pod, or homeschooling, watch your child’s curiosity and emotional health. Use those as the truest indicators of whether your educational choices are serving them.
If you want to take action, start with small experiments, gather local information about legal requirements, and reach out to other families to hear their lived experience. There’s no single “right” answer for every family, but there is a right answer for yours—and you’ll find it by designing, testing, and iterating with intention.
Episode References
Connect with Julie
@familyyields on IG
Visit her website https://familyyields.com/
Listen to the Family Yields Podcast
Come say hi!
Give us a follow if you're ready to take life from good to great, you'll be the first to know when we share more about motherhood and business. If it really resonated, the kids and I would do a happy dance if you left us a review 💗 ~ Brittany
00:00 Intro
2:57 Teaching while homeschooling
5:05 What does homeschooling actually look like
9:50 Defining learning pods
11:30 Alternate school options
14:43 Next steps for homeschooling
21:30 Time management to make homeschooling work
27:00 Preparing for homeschooling
32:00 But what does it actually cost?
40:00 Learning pod limits
44:00 Fear of homeschooling
46:30 Indicators for/ against homeschooling
50:40 Wrap up
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