Homeschool mom gets upset when math tutor brother quizzes 6th grader on math curriculum: 'He was having trouble recalling what they covered'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
May 11, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

Should parents need to meet more requirements to homeschool?

There are all kinds of different reasons that moms and dads may feel like their kids are better off learning with them than in the traditional education system. Maybe they have a child who doesn't adapt well to the mainstream, or they feel like conventional school does not give them the skills to set them up for success.

The thing is, if somebody is going to homeschool their children, they have to be 100% sure that they will be a better option than the alternative. Adding 'teacher' to the already long list of domestic jobs is no small task. It requires knowledge, structure, and determination to do a good job.

It is no secret that many homeschooling parents get lackluster results because they just don't put in the right effort. While mainstream schooling has plenty of flaws, it also has a set curriculum and certain standards that it is legally obligated to uphold. Homeschool setups do not necessarily have to copy a normal classroom, but they need to be truly invested in the education of the children involved. Otherwise, it is highly likely that they are going to get some questionable results.

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  • A boy rests his face in his hand while he studies on a laptop at home
    via Thomas Park

    A boy rests his face in his hand while he studies on a laptop at home

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • In this story, a math tutor was talking with his nephew about the math lessons he was taking with his sister, who had been homeschooling since the start of the school year. He was concerned to see that he did not seem to understand certain concepts or know where in the curriculum he was supposed to be.

    The mom claimed that they were learning at their own place, and later complained to their mom that the uncle didn't understand the burden of teaching while also keeping on top of household chores. He wanted to know if he had taken the topic too far.

  • Am I wrong for asking my homeschooled nephew about where he was in the curriculum?

    Hi, I wanted to ask here, because this is something important to me, my sister and I have a good relationship so I want to know if I was in the wrong.
    via WestMarsupial484
  • My nephew is in 6th grade and at least since the beginning of this current school year he's been homeschooled by my sister. She had felt that they didn't really teach much in school so she had decided to homeschool him. My niece (his older sister) is attending high school.
    via WestMarsupial484
  • Yesterday, I was at her place, I was talking to my nephew about how his home classes are going, he said they were going well. I asked him what was the last thing he did in math (being a math tutor myself, I was interested in that) and he was having trouble recalling what they covered, naming the
    via WestMarsupial484
  • concept or giving me an example question. My sister then stepped in and told me what they'd covered. I named some topics which are introduced in 6th grade and since its close to the end of the year asked if he'd learned them. She said we're doing it at our pace. I
    via WestMarsupial484
  • dropped it, but admittedly was a bit surprised because until a few years back, it seemed like he was ahead of school, really quick with answering mental math questions (which I used to ask at my sister's encouragement). I know mental math is a totally different skillset and
    via WestMarsupial484
  • doesn't necessarily mean that the headstart carries over to other topics but it still surprised me.
    via WestMarsupial484
  • Today in the morning I was talking to my mom and she told me that my sister thought I was kind of being an AH, that I'm not a parent what do I know about juggling home chores with raising kids and teaching, and that my nephew is shy as it is and I didn't help matters by
    via WestMarsupial484
  • quizzing him like this. I tried explaining it, but just ended up agreeing with my mom that my sister would know best he's her son, and that I shouldn't have done it. Was I the AH?
    via WestMarsupial484
  • The back of a boy's head as he sits at a table and looks at a blurred laptop screen
    via Thomas Park

    The back of a boy's head as he sits at a table and looks at a blurred laptop screen

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • FriendlyRiothamster If you ask me parents like your sister are playing God with their children's future. Your sister will not suffer unemployment when her homeschooling fails. Your nephew will. Unfortunately, he is unlikely to realise this. I'd be concerned too. NTA
    via FriendlyRiothamster
  • PalpitationOk9802 nta this is why home schooling should be illegal.
    via PalpitationOk9802
  • Distinct-Practice131 Nta. Your sister said they were going at their own pace, but literally told your mother she is juggling a million things along with his education. So they are going at her pace. One that doesn't seem to be prioritizing keeping up with his grade. Your sisters likely so defensive because she knows on some level she f ed up.
    via Distinct-Practice131
  • Own-Crazy8086 NTA. And if she can't handle juggling chores, raising kids and teaching, then she shouldn't be home schooling. But it is also ok to meet a kid where theyre at on each subject.
    via Own-Crazy8086
  • Optimal_Shirt6637 NTA, it's so sad when parents sabotage their children's future like this.
    via Optimal_Shirt6637
  • Single_Many597 NTA If your sister can't juggle housework and teaching, then she shouldn't be teaching.
    via Single_Many597
  • lanthin1 NTA. In my experience a lot of people that home school do so for all The wrong reasons. They get in over their head and can't provide the education they need, or they never intended to use more traditional curriculum and the kids get behind because of it.
    via lanthin1
  • GoetheundLotte NTA, if your sister cannot adequately homeschool her son regarding the math he needs to know for his grade level, she either needs to hire a tutor or your nephew needs to go back to school.
    via GoetheundLotte
  • olivbreadloaf NTA, parents pull their kids out of school to 'homeschool' them but they don't actually teach them anything and neglect their education. you are just concerned for your nephew's education
    via olivbreadloaf
  • drinkingspilttea NTA if it's something you have done with him in the past and was encouraged to do by your sister. From what you have written, it seems she might be a bit defensive now as she has realised how hard it is to teach your kid and juggle everything else.
    via drinkingspilttea
  • srgonzo75 NTA. You were trying to engage your nephew, your sister got embarrassed, and she took it out on you.
    via srgonzo75

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parenting uncle homeschooling homeschool family mom math nephew son
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