i am considering homeschooling my 15 yr old daughter. what are the pros and cons. every little insight will b

Question

every little insight will be appreciated

Answer 1

Well, you're starting a little later than most, but good for you! I was homeschooled from kindergarten through high school (with one year of a public school that I hate with every fiber of my being) and I am currently in my second semester of college at the ripe old age of sixteen.
Textbooks can be pricey if you get them new at full price, but Barnes&Noble and Borders both offer teacher's discounts to homeschoolers for educational books. Sometimes you can get books second-or-third hand for a very, very low price. In fact, my mom got most of our curricula from a warehouse for free. Only in college will you have to shell out a thousand bucks for a semester's worth of books, thank God.
The most important thing to teach her at this point is self-motivation. When she gets to college, she will be solely responsible for everything she is assigned. My mom taught me and my brothers to teach ourselves. Most of the time we only came to her for grading and a nudge in the right direction.
Yes, your daughter will be a little more isolated. In my opinion, this isn't a big setback. She's at an age where she can make and keep friends. If she is uber-dependent on being with others, she'll be ill-prepared for the real world.
The main disadvantage is, in my experience, being stereotyped as the sort whose mother locks 'em in a room with textbooks all day. I find this insulting and demeaning-- can I help it if I like to read textbooks without disturbance? ;-)
From what I've seen and read, many older kids don't like the transition from mainstream to home schooling. They are accustomed to the hustle, bustle, and generally less studious atmosphere of public school. Put your foot down, and make a contract. I had to when I did a year of public school.
The biggest, most universally-liked advantage is that school can be had at anytime, at any place. Upside-down on the couch is perfectly acceptable for doing algebra. Spreading out the work over several square feet is not condemned.
You'll also be there for many more of her milestones. While I never did prom or homecoming, I know several homeschoolers who did and enjoyed it. Homeschool groups, whether organized or freestyle, are social supplements. Beware, though-- sometimes these groups are more focused on academia than social mores. Every so often you come up with one that doesn't even care about the people, only the work. Voice of experience talking, here.
When your daughter reaches college and announces that she was homeschooled, I guarantee that this credential will be appreciated. Professors love a homeschooled student.
The biggest problem I find with being homeschooled, from an academic point of view, is that specializations are formed. I, for example, am well-versed in American history from 1776-1810, but admittedly a bit negligent in other periods. My older brother is amazing with the math and science, but lacking in the visual arts and writing.
Still, many don't find these things debilitating. The human brain cannot be expert in all things, and most people understand this on a conscious or subconscious level.

On a final note, my mother often says that she learned more in teacing me and my brothers than she did in school. Compelling, no?

Have fun!

Answer 2

Do you argue a lot? If so, that will make working with eachother extremely difficult. Also, does she have firends outside of school, like church?I'm 16, and would do nearly anything to be homeschooled, except my mom can't because she works. I would miss my friends, but there is SO much pressure at school. Also all the horrible language and drama is stupid. And teacher's can only go as fast as the slowest student, so if your daughter is bored in class, homeschooling would be a good idea. Teachers to me waste a lot of time explaining the same thing over and over; I just want the homwork. Or if they are doing something that is hard to me, but is easy to everyone else, I feel embarrased to ask questions, and feel stupid because the other kids get it and I don't. At home I could spend as much time on that part as I wanted.

Overall, I think homeschooling is the best thing to do.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I was homeschooled all the way from kindergarten through high school, and though each person's experience is different, here is what I can tell you.

Homeschooling was great for allowing me to follow MY path and MY interests. Because I was a class of one I was able to move quickly through subjects that came easily to me and spend more time on things I needed help with. It also gave me time to pursue my passion (music) so that by the time I was 17 I was able to start teaching at a community college. Everyone in my class was older than me, but that was not a problem

This brings me to my second point:

Homeschooling prepares you for the REAL WORLD, not a world where you spend all day with people only your own age. Most of the homeschoolers you meet will demonstrate an ease with people of varying ages—including adults—that seems much more rare among public schooled kids.

I have seen some people on this thread post about the importance of the teen years in regard to social development, and I could not agree more. However, it only strengthens my preference toward home based education. These are the years where I believe children should bolster (or in some cases, forge) their bond with their parents who, hopefully, will help to guide them into their adult lives. No offense to young people—there are a bunch of brilliant young people out there but I don’t think they are the majority—but who do YOU think is the better person to be advising and influencing teenagers; parents and older family members with life experience, or their equally confused peers who consider Brittany Spears to be a role model? I can’t agree with this idea of “…keep your kid in public school. Then they will learn from each other what and what not to do.”

When it comes to socialization the idea that homeschoolers are isolated is flat out wrong. There are homeschool field trips, homeschool proms, and homeschool graduations. Homeschooling, like life, is what you make it. You can choose to become involved in the community or not, and your child can choose to keep her public schooled friends or not. However, if the friendships die away simply because they don’t go to school together any more it does not speak much to the strength of the relationship. If they are close now they will make an effort to stay in touch. Some of the friendships I made growing up in the home school community have lasted 10 or 14 years (and counting), and I have to say that it is better to have a few close friends who truly know you than to have a million acquaintances who are only with you because fate tossed you in the same class.

As far as negative things go, it must be said that home schooling is not for everyone. It is difficult or impossible for some families logistically, financially, or just because it does not fit with the learning style of the child. Also there is a certain amount of prejudice that you have to deal with, but this is fading away as homeschoolers prove again and again in work, school, and life that they perform as well and better than some of their public school counterparts.

Hope this helps, best of luck!

Answer 4

You and you girl will not have any problems with homeschooling if you take it seriously and you need to ive you child to have more social opputonities. No homeschoolers aren't anti-social, some are, but where I am there are no anti-social homeschoolers, who ever said she was going to be lazzyy, that's just plain stupid. Yes, some will, but most won't also. Also see how much free time you have on your hand. A lot of kids get good grades being homeschooled, but not everyone does. Hopefully you aren't trying to shelter your kid for the wrong reason, not every public school is about drugs and all, but yes, some are. There are kids who get good grades in public school too. BUt listen, my cousin was "above average" in public school, she can't spell music or girls, and stumbles over the simplist words. And she's in fith grade!Your kid should be more social then that of a public/private school. Yes, not every kid will be social.

Homeschooling is a good option for getting good books that you know your daughter will enjoy. Studying will be fun. I don't know if you are religious or not, but you might want to do that so you can get some of your belifes for you child. Just get involved with things, you don't have to worry about a thing, un-less you don't have free time, are busy a lot, homeschooling won't work for everyone, but it is a good option. Taking that I am homeschooled.

Also I went to school. So don't think I don't know how to "cope" with the harsh facts of life. Duh... (most) every homeschooler knows how to cope. on this sight tease people for being homeschooled. Is that not a fact of life??

Answer 5

Does she agree???? Are you both making this decision???
She is old enough to make this decision too. Once you both want to try, both can decide on a curriculum and a schedule and what subjects. Be involved, but let her learn, she is old enough to be an auto-didact if she is curious and diligent. Remind yourself and her , that you can stop at any time, you can change a book at any time....be free in your homeschool to adapt and change as necessary. You will be success full this way!

There are no cons, unless she is not willing. She can continue seeing her friends, she can make new ones at other social times, get her into art, or self-defense classes or music lessons. She can get involved in the community, do volunteer work at the hospital or the animal pound....Be sure to test her and be sure she keeps up her progress.

Answer 6

I was never homeschooled, but my neighbor was and she liked it, but hated it. The plus she said was that she had a little more freedom when it came to school work, but the con was she never had any friends. While I was out with my friends doing after school activities outsiders weren't aloud to come to, she was at home doing nothing. Since your daughter is 15 years old, I would let her make the decision.

Answer 7

i have just started homeschooling my 12 year old son and have found there is such a large network of people who are homeschooling that once you sign up to a group and start meeting others that way, everyone tries to help each other and what one doesn't know they normally know someone else who does! at school there are so many distractions and cases of buulying etc. whereas at home they can work at their own pace and the resources are available ie. the internet without having to wait for their turn. good luck in whatever you choose.

Answer 8

i hated homeschool it made me feel alone becuz i had no idea the people my old friends were talking about an we slowly drifted away...another bad thing is in some regular schools if u switch from homeschool the credits dont add up to the regular school credits. the good thing, however is u can make her work in a sweeatshop and nobody will know!!

Answer 9

I'm 14 and have been home schooled for my entire life,and there are tons of pros:not having to get up early,no homework,shorter school days,more time to spend with friends,and hopefully a better relationship with you.The only con that I can think of is that school supplies are expensive,but its all worth it in the end.

Answer 10

Listen too me, what you do is get her into a home schooling group, that way she could interact with people, don't worry about the price of books, there is e-bay. I know cause I am home schooled, I still have the same amount of friends and it cost 85 dollars for all 25 books. It is also easier to concentrate and you don't have to worry about peer pressure and drugs. Lastly if your worried about friends get her involved in local activities.