What do you think about homeschooling?

I'm not a parent, nor have I been home schooled, but I am seriously considering it. I have many friends that have been home schooled, and they are some of the nicest people I have ever met. You know why? They haven't been exposed to bullies and cliques in their homes. Regular teenage ideals have not been instilled in them, so they seem to be better people in general. They are less likely to drink and smoke underage, since they don't have classmates to tempt them. Not to mention having a parent teach you results in a closer bond, and you get special attention normally not given in large class settings. People say it stunts children's social growth. I disagree. Have them join a public sports team, dance, art classes, choirs, anything. They will, under supervision, learn the things they need to know to function normally.

I have homeschooled my children for 16 years and counting, graduated three and have a junior in high school, kindergarten and preschooler. I'll be doing it for awhile yet. I have found homeschooling to be a hard but more than worthwhile job. My children who might have been labeled in the public schools were given the time and material needed for them to excel in school. Commit to homeschooling for a year at a time. Since the schooling is one on one less time is needed than the normal public school day of six hours or more. You are not dealing with a classroom full of children who have very different ideas at different times.(Crowd control takes a lot of the teacher's time. I have a SIL who is an elementary public school teacher. I've heard the horror stories.) My children can function in the "real world". The three oldest all hold down part time jobs while attending to their higher education. I have received many compliments on my children's work ethics, manners and character qualities. They are in demand as babysitters because they actually play with the children and clean up the messes. Homeschooling is a way of life. It has it's ups and downs, but you keep plugging at it.

I think a lot will depend on the child and its natural affinities. Some kids do really well at school, some kids do better in home education. I don't have an issue with which one it is, but I do worry when its merely a 'lifestyle choice' by the parent taken before they have seen how their child responds to several different educational approaches. You say you work afternopons, if you home educate you need to be there every minute of the day with the children. Could it work for you to have them in school initially but do a lot of educational activities together to make sure they enjoy learning and do well in their grades, then if in a few years its clear home education would be better you have given both a fair trial?

I have seen both ends of the the homeschool spectrum. My husband has cousins that were all homeschooled. They lived in a community where it was better to homeschool than to send your children to public school. The parents formed an association of sorts and shared the responsiblities of teaching their children. A homeschool public school of sorts. These girls are some of the brightest most intelligent people that I know! On the other end of the spectrum, I've seen parents keep their children home, because they were not ready for the public school system. It made me angry that these parents took 5 min. of their day to work on a workbook (usually phonics or math) that they picked up at Walmart, and only did a page or 2 out it each day. The child was no better off than going to school. At least at school they could get assistance in their learning. It's parents like these that give homeschooling a bad rep. If you are dedicated, and serious about helping your child learn, I say go for it! Check around in your neighborhood, church, etc. and see if their are other parents that are homeschooling as well. If other parents are HS, it could help you form the curriculum that you and your children need. My best wishes to you, and Please let us know what you have decided to do! :)

i think schooling is one of the most crucial thing for a child. if they arnt exposed to the world, i tihnk they are missing a strong life lesson. if they arnt exposed to the multiculture world of today, i tihnk they wouldnt perform as well in the work area. i would expect that the socialability be lower, missinig some of the most memorable school experiences, or a life lesson. if i were to have a kid, i would never take the chance to have them home schooled, i want them to have experiences i have had in school

I homeschooled my daughter for Kindergarten. Then we had another child and she wanted to go to big girl school. Unfortunately, the school system did not want to acknowledge the education I had provided my child. In NC, where we live, children are not even required to begin school until age 7. However, the school district in which we live insisted that my daughter attend Kindergarten anyway. Even though we had completed all the district's requirements for Kindergarten. She really wanted to go, so I let her. Basically she was bored out of her mind. The schools around here are poor as well, and she spent most of her time helping the other kids learn. I'm sure she learned more about helping others, than the cirriculum. I tell you this to give you this advise. If you choose the homeschooling path, be prepared for a fight if/when you ever decide to enroll in public school. Good luck.

I'm homeschooling my dd and really enjoy it! I think she is so much smarter and sweeter than kids the same age in public school. Brenda Marie Homeschool 4 Us (My homeschool blog): http://homeschool4us.blogspot.com/ My ebook: "Homeschooling Without The Headaches" http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=812683

We homeschool our girls who are 6.5 and 3.5. Dh and I both work at home as well so we are all together much of the time and we have so much fun. We love it and wouldn't trade our experience for anything.