What Does Homeschooling Mean Anymore?

Send us Fan Mail (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2317281/fa...) What does it mean to homeschool in 2026? After more than 20 years in the homeschool world, I’ve noticed something: when a parent tells me, “We homeschool,” I still don’t know much about what learning actually looks like in their home. Some parents teach nearly every subject themselves. Others outsource a few subjects, join co-ops, hire tutors, or use online classes. And some children complete nearly all of their schooling independently through online programs. They all call themselves homeschoolers, but their day-to-day experiences can look very different. In this episode, I’m exploring the changing homeschool landscape and asking a question I think matters more than ever: What role do you want to play in your child’s education? I’ll share my thoughts on parent-directed and provider-directed homeschooling, outsourcing instruction, building independence, and why I believe parent engagement still matters. Most importantly, whether you are an experienced veteran or brand new to the homeschool world, I want to help you consider whether the homeschool you’re living today is the homeschool you intentionally set out to create. Write on!