"Am I Smart Enough to Home Educate My Children?"

I was recently asked a question that caught me off guard: “Do you think you’re smart enough to home educate your children?”

At first, I was a bit taken aback. It’s not a question I’d ever thought about deeply before because, quite simply, my answer has always been "yes." But it made me reflect on why this question might come up in the first place—and why it might feel a little unsettling.

I’ve come to realise that this question stems from a common misconception. Many people assume that in order to home educate, you need to be an expert in every subject, or have a formal teaching degree, or that your intelligence alone is the most important factor. The truth is, while knowledge is helpful, the heart of home education is about something much more profound: connection, adaptability, and a willingness to learn alongside your children.

I want to be clear here—there’s no judgement on my part. I understand where the question is coming from. We’re used to seeing education in a traditional, school-based format, where specialists teach specific subjects. It’s perfectly natural for someone to wonder whether one person, a parent, can possibly provide the same.

But home education is different. It’s not about me having all the answers. It’s about fostering an environment where my children feel encouraged to explore, ask questions, and discover the world around them. And when I don’t know the answers (which happens more often than you’d think!), we learn together. There are resources, communities, and, of course, the internet—all of which we can use to support our learning journey.

What matters most in home education isn’t how many facts or equations I can recall, but how I can nurture curiosity and a love of learning. I’ve learned that being "smart" in this context is really about being open-minded, resourceful, and patient. It's also about creating a space where my children feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow—both academically and personally.

I suppose the question I was asked is one that many parents considering home education might face, either from others or even from themselves. And my advice to any parent who is wondering if they’re “smart enough” is this: You don’t have to be an expert. You just need to be dedicated to learning alongside your children, willing to adapt, and ready to embrace the journey together.

So, to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation, feeling unsure or questioned: trust in yourself. You know your children better than anyone. And in the end, it’s not about having all the answers—it’s about knowing how to find them, and enjoying the process of discovery as a family.

If that’s what being “smart enough” means, then I think we’re all more than capable.