How can I assess if I have the right skills and patience to teach my children at home? 

Parenting Perspective 

Assessing Your Habits and Temperament 

Becoming your child’s teacher is one of the biggest questions parents ask themselves when considering home education. Many parents worry they are not ‘qualified enough’ because they do not hold teaching degrees. Yet home-schooling is less about professional credentials and more about your willingness to learn alongside your child. Start by being honest with yourself about your daily habits and temperament. Do you have the patience to explain things repeatedly without losing your temper? Can you organise basic materials, plan simple activities, and stick to a routine that suits your family’s rhythm? 

Taking Small Steps and Growing Together 

Home education will stretch your emotional resilience, there will be days when your child refuses to focus, struggles to grasp a topic, or simply does not want to cooperate. Instead of expecting perfection, take small steps. Think about the teaching you already do: showing your child how to tie shoelaces, reminding them to say Bismillah before meals, these are everyday moments of instruction. You will grow as they grow, learning by trial and error. Remember, you do not have to do everything alone. It is perfectly fine to outsource certain subjects to tutors or join local co-ops when needed. The real measure is not whether you are a flawless teacher but whether you commit to guiding your child with warmth, calm structure, and the courage to adjust when something is not working. Over time, you will find a balance that honours both your child’s learning style and your own wellbeing. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam recognises that parenting is itself a form of lifelong learning and teaching. The noble Quran reminds us of the sacred responsibility parents hold over their families. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Tahrim (66), Verse 6: 

‘O you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones… ‘

This Ayah is often quoted as a reminder that education begins at home, protecting your family spiritually and emotionally is a duty before it is a curriculum. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 2646, that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated: 

‘Whoever treads a path in search of knowledge, Allah will make the path to Paradise easy for him. ‘

You do not need to be an expert in every subject; you need the humility to seek knowledge yourself and the trust that Allah Almighty will help you grow into this role. Many Sahabah learned directly from the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and then passed this knowledge to their families, showing that teaching within the home is noble and blessed. Keep your intentions sincere, make Dua for patience and wisdom, and remember that every lesson, however small, can become an act of worship if it is done to please Allah Almighty.