What is your opinion on homeschooling?

Question

I have been homeschooling for 3 years.. My Children are involved in sports and scouts.. they are at or above grade level..

I asked this question as more of a poll to see if the views of homeschooling, especially socialization, have changed.

Answer 1

it is a wonderful opportunity for both the parents and the child. I was home schooled all my life up to now (dual enrollment 11Th grade/college). home schooled kids have a lot fewer problems than most public schooled kids. we make Friends very easily, we get along with most people because we are not raised in "cliques" like most kids. in MOST cases we have BETTER social skills than public schooled kids because we get to be around a lot more types of people. my parents made sure that we got out in the community, went on field trips (home school groups, 4-H, and many other community clubs), spent time in museums, got to talk/know the directors of at least 3 museums (2 of which I still have contact with, great home work helpers), and we were exposed to "real life" every day. while public schooled kids were reading about sea turtles we were touching them and talking to a Marine biologist. while public school kids were studying the civil war we were reenacting it, you get the idea... my dad is a college math teacher too, so from the academic side we are well educated. One thing I find very funny is that I started college 2 years early and I am in more advanced classes than 95% of the high school grads from 2006. I also have 5 friends from my home school group that started 2 years early with me. in home schooling I was not exposed to drugs, alcohol, school shootings, racism, and a world of other problems that public schooled kids have. I did get real life expirence, a great education, am not in any way racist, don't do drugs, drink, or go shooting people I don't like.

Answer 2

I've seen it work and I've seen it backfire miserably. It depends on how much you want to put into it and how committed your kids are. Sometimes, the fact that the parents are so close to the children can be a real problem. Also, you need to make sure they're socialized outside the home. Volunteering, church groups, homeschool groups, etc are good places to start. Sports clubs and scouting, too. If you get them volunteering in the community, you're exposing them to more real world situations than a classroom would, because where else are you sitting in a room with 30 people born within a year of you?

Answer 3

It is rough. I had a friend who tried homeschooling, it lasted a year. Do you have a teaching background? Could you handle having your children there all day, no "break"? It sounds like a great thing, you have control of what your child learns, but I believe kids need interaction with other kids, and structure. But some people have a knack for homeschooling, why not give it a try for a year, see how things go. Whatever you decide, good luck.

Answer 4

Are you thinking of homeschooling your kids? I can answer your question from that perspective. It works really well for a lot of families but it's not for everyone.We've done it for the past 16 years since the kids were babies.People close to you will try to question your rationale for choosing to do something outside of the mainstream educational system but if it's something that you believe is in the best interest of your family then do it.Theres tons of info about it on the internet and many websites will provide links to homeschool support groups in each state.

Answer 5

It's good because you know exactly what your child is being taught, and can keap him from being hurt by other kids. I used to think it was bad for the kid socially. Then my wife was a teacher's assistant for a 1st grade upper class private school, and they had one first grade boy rape another first grade boy in the bathroom. The principal swept it under the rug because he didn't want the school's reputation ruined. Now I think if you're not there, you have no idea what's going on at a school, no matter how nice it looks or what the gpa numbers say.

Answer 6

My ex-boss home schooled all 8 of his kids. I was really surprised at their education level at such young ages. One in particular; at age 16, began community college taking 25 + credits per term and was completely bored and not challenged enough.
Home schooling provided his children more time to focus on their education and not on distractions.
Each child, also, joined Boy and Girl Scouts plus had tons of neighborhood friends.

Answer 7

I personally wouldnt do it because I want my children to have friends. I also dont want them to be at home all the time. I was home schooled but it was by my decision. So I would send them to a public or private school even.. and then if something was to happen and they said that they wanted to be home schooled I would sit down and talk it over with them and find out why. If it is something going on with other students at school... I would talk it out with the teachers or to someone further... If things didnt change then I would see if they still wanted to be home schooled if they say yes.. then I would do it...

Answer 8

I used to think that it was robbing a child of socialization, but after some of the teachers I have seen out there, if you are a good teacher, God bless you and offer to take the neighbor kids too.

Answer 9

As a 28 year old who was homeschooled from 9th-12th grade, I wouldn't recommend it. I missed out on a lot of important social events that I will never have a chance to get back (prom, etc.). I also was not exposed to some academia that would have been helpful in college. Not to mention, a GED doesn't look as good on a resume as a high school diploma.

If someone chooses to homeschool their kid(s), I would recommend that they do their research, follow a credible homeschooling program, and make extracurricular socialization a priority.

Good luck!

Answer 10

My neighbor has and is teaching all her kids (8) at home..... the oldest is in Med. school on full scholership (sp) the next 2 are in college, and the next is doing HS and College at the same time, well the oldest 4 have all done that !! they are well rounded kids, all of them, they do music, which is how the oldest got her Scholership, they do the museum tours, rent a gym once a wk, with other home taught families, they do it all !!!! she is well organized and focused and went to College herself , she IS a teacher !!!!!!!! that kind of home schooling I am delighted about !!!!!!! NOT all parents or kids can do it !!!!! God bless