'No screens, 6AM wakeup, bus ride, the whole nine yards': Homeschool kid begs mom to let him try public school, she insists they do 'trial day' at home

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Sep 12, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

FOMO is never as strong a feeling as when you are a child, so it is no wonder that kids who grow up with parents who raise them against the norm often have a hankering for what they are missing out on. Many of those belonging to strict no-sugar households often gorge themselves whenever they are left unsupervised at a birthday party, and if they're without screens, they often wish they could spend hours a day gazing at YouTube brainrot. 

However, perhaps the group that is most prone to feeling left out is the kids whose parents have chosen to homeschool them. For the majority of the population, spending thirteen odd years going to a building full of their peers to hopefully learn something is a rite of passage that homeschoolers miss out on. It is only natural for kids to wonder how ninety-five percent live with someone other than their parents as teachers.

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  • One homeschool mom encountered this longing when her son, whom she had homeschooled for two years, asked if he could try out public school like his cousins. Her response was to give him a ‘trial day' at home with a schedule that she claimed more closely imitated that of a normal school, and not being educated at home.

    Including things like a 1-hour, 15-minute ‘bus ride’, no TV, and requiring him to keep his shoes on, social media onlookers were skeptical of what the mom was trying to achieve. If her educational system was so great, what is the harm in allowing him a peek into the mainstream?

  • via crunchymomleah
  • flowerpower7777 Sounds like you made it as painful an experience as possible so YOU didn't have to deal with public school
    via flowerpower7777
  • S CactusWartooth 'My kid is desperate for education and socialization, but here's a pretend day where I made him keep his shoes on?'
    via CactusWartooth
  • jnks16265s6 20 years from now this woman "i don't understand why he went no contact with me. I gave him everything!"
    via jnks16265s6
  • B✩✩ you should just ask the school if he can shadow his cousin for a day. unless you're scared he'll like it more
    via B
  • Teeny tiny penguin I was homeschooled, and asked many times to be allowed to go to public school. I still resent the effects it had on me. Let him try it.
    via Teeny tiny penguin
  • Shell Belle Sounds like you don't want the routine of public school. He seems eager to have friends outside the home
    via Shell Belle
  • Jaclyn You cannot replicate public school in your home.
    via Jaclyn
  • JRT The allure of public school is not having to hang out with your mom all day, so this is not a fair comparison.
    via JRT
  • KB Then actually put him in public school? This is not it lol
    via KB
  • FourtyTwo This is why I'm 100% against homeschooling. "Teach them what they want, when they want". Most children who are homeschooled are put in special needs classes when they are thrown back into schools because they are so far behind.
    via FourtyTwo
  • Violet You could probably call your local public school to let him shadow a student (but that wouldn't push your agenda soooo)
    via Violet
  • Kendall Linander Homeschool is the worst thing that ever happened to me. Let him go. Tired of homeschool parents demonizing public school. They can never provide as much as a public school can.
    via Kendall Linander
  • ♥Kelly As a educator of 28 years who has seen how far behind home-schooled children are in math, science, and social skills by 5th grade- put him in public school. The early years you don't see the gap but by 4th or 5th it's a detriment.
    via Kelly
  • Black billed magpie I'm sorry. Learn *what you want when you want*?????? He's like. 7. He doesn't know what he actually needs to know to be a functioning member of society. You are doing him such a huge disservice.
    via Black billed magpie
  • Nicole "My child is begging for structure and socialization... So I'm going to make him have an awful day because I need him home with me"
    via Nicole
  • lordfarquad233 Is the homeschool for you or your child you missed the part where he gets to play with friends
    via lordfarquad233
  • ChelseyAdele Yeah sorry this seems.. mean? We homeschool, and public school has been a topic. If they decide they want to try it they are welcome to, no promise of a year, they try it see how they feel (not me) and we can decide then. So far they've thought about it but never decided to actually try. I think my oldest might at some point though. It's public if they go two days and say please I wanna stay home what's the big deal
    via ChelseyAdele
  • Ohcoolithoughtso I grew up in the sticks and did not ride a bus 6:30-7:45! That's a wild route. This is cute and all, but maybe listen to your kid about why he wants to try school.
    via Ohcoolithoughtso
  • Taylore my parents did this to me. then they would use public school as a threat. would drive me up to the door and tell me to get out. now that I'm an adult, I see the number of opportunities I missed being homeschooled and going to private school. I resent them making public school something to fear instead of just letting me try.
    via Taylore
  • owindiana homeschooling is bad for most kids
    via owindiana
  • Kitcat86 I would let him try it, there is socialization, learning from a teacher as well as other students, he can help teach others show empathy, he can see how other students think and show them how he solves problems when there is only one teacher and student view points are limited
    via Kitcat86

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