Why choose homeschooling?

Question

This question is mainly for parents that have decided to homeschool their children.
What was your reasoning for homeschooling?
What do you think your child can gain from homeschooling that they can't get at a public or even private school?
Was your child previously enrolled in a public school but you took them out to homeschool them?

Answer 1

Wow. ATL Finest's bad grammar did not make a good argument for public schools, did it?

I am rather neutral about homeschooling, so I might be able to provide a semi-objective view on the subject. Here are some pros and cons for homeschooling:

Homeschooling Pros:
-Control of the agenda. You know what your kid is going to learn. Some public and private schools provide excellent education for kids, but some do not. Homeschooling your child makes it so you know what they are getting.
-Control of the environment. No bullies, bad cafeteria food, goof-off kids sitting next to you, etc. If the parent instills discipline and doesn't let their kid goof off too much, they have a better ability to attain knowledge without distraction.
-Your kid can learn at their own pace and get more special attention where necessary. A lot of homeschool kids learn specific topics more indepth better than public school kids. For example, a lot of homeschool kids are making waves in the National Spelling Bee, because they have more individual help with their spelling skills than public and private school children.
-Children do not have to fight for attention with other kids. A lot of schools are poorly staffed, and the teachers cannot give enough attention to each student.
-Safety issues, although I think this issue is over-stated. Short of locking your kid up in their room all their life, you cannot protect your kid from everything. Schools, generally speaking, are no more dangerous than walking outside somewhere. The media makes public schools seem worse than they really are. That said, you know where your kid is when you have them home, so it is one less thing to worry about.

Homeschooling Cons:
-Lack of social interaction that is a key component to learning how to exist in the outside world. Homeschool kids do not learn team work or social skills as well as kids in regular schools. Like it or not, in the real world as adults, your kids will be exposed to different kinds of people and will have to deal with them. School is an experience that better prepares them for this.
-A LOT of parents are NOT qualified to teach all subjects. You risk your kids having deficiencies in areas where the parent is weak. A parent who is going to homeschool had better make sure they know what they are doing.
-Kids are not as well prepared for classroom environment when they go to college and the pressure that is involved. A lot of homeschooled kids go into college with a better knowledge base than other kids, but are quickly overwhelmed by the environment because they are not used to learning in a public forum. They are less attuned to different points of view, and are easily stressed out or quick to get involved in bad crowds. I've been involved in higher education for 8 years, and I have seen this a lot.

That said, a lot of these cons can be overcome. A lot of homeschooled kids are still involved in extracurricular activities. They learn at home, but still go out for sports or debate or other activities that help them learn the social skills they need. A good parent who homeschools will make sure their child is involved in the community so they will be better prepared to exist in that community when they grow up. If a parent is well-versed in school curriculum, then there is really no reason not to homeschool your kid if you have the resources to do it. It is definitely not for everybody, but for the right person with the right kid, then why not?

p.s. I should also add that I, personally, think a public school is the best way to educate a kid... provided it is a decent public school. All public schools are not created equal, unfortunately. Everyone is biased in one way or another. I just thought it fair that I reveal own bias!

Answer 2

I'm not a parent, but I was homeschooled for a year.
Part of the reason I was homeschooled was because I was really far ahead of most of the kids in my grade and the school either couldnt or wouldnt move me a grade ahead.
Home schooling provides a student with the discipline to learn and it really helps them figure out what they enjoy doing. That year I discovered that I really liked math and science seeing as those were always the subjects I did first thing in the morning and those were the ones I wanted to do. At a public school students can get "left behind" or lazy if their potential in a certain area isnt reached. And for private schools (I have attendend both) theres less of a struggle for a grade. Theres more time for the student to learn until they actually understand where as in a private school there is a lot of pressure for the student to do well.
No.
My only problem with home schooling is that students lose the social background and will loose some of the typical experience gained in that grade. Like for example when I started homeschooling I ended up skipping 3rd grade and doing homeschool for 4th grade and I missed a lot of the stuff you learn in those grades. Those are the grades where students get more homework and things like that and I missed out on that experience. Its just something to think about.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

I've read the other answers here, and agree with most of them. Homeschooling is a personal choice that shouldn't be taken lightly. I have homeschooled all of my children on and off for several years. I had different reasons each time. My oldest got in with the wrong crowd and it became "cool" to have bad grades. I didn't agree and pulled him out. I am currently homeschooling my 3rd grader. She was having the most trouble adjusting to my divorce and her grades began to drop at an alarming rate. School counseling didn't help, and she fell through the cracks of the school system. In the few months she has been homeschooled, her reading is more than a grade above level, her writing is above level and her math skills have improved up to level. Private counseling helped her through difficult times and she will be returning to public schools next fall.
The public school system isn't always an ideal choice, I am fortunate enough to be able to choose which school she attends within the district. Not everyone has that choice. There is something else to consider which I have seen mentioned here and can't stress enough how important it is. Please ask yourself, are you qualified to teach the subject matter? At elementary levels and even middle school, it can be a challenge. It isn't just knowing the subject matter, homeschooling takes time and patience. It's not a free ride for the kids or for YOU. I have seen too many parents that say they homeschool, and in fact, just give the kids a few workbooks and let them go. That is not schooling them.
Another thing to consider is the state that you live in. Every state has their own education system and homeschooling is more difficult in some than in others. mandated tests may be required, so before you pull your kids, check first. There are many homeschooling groups in every state. Online resources are an great way to look into it.

Answer 5

What was your reasoning for homeschooling? Mainly lack of socialization (no talking on the bus, in the hallways, during music, in the lunchroom, very little recess time) and the negative socialization in our school district. Also the silliness of forcing him to be with only children his age all day long year after year. As an adult, you're never with only people exactly your own age. Also, because too much religion still creeps into public schools in this area.

What do you think your child can gain from homeschooling that they can't get at a public or even private school?
The ability to find out the truth about historical myths that are taught in the public school books. Not being forced to learn in a way that is good for the "majority" but not the individual. The freedom to continue learning about a subject that interests him and not having to move on for fear of not covering everything that may be on an end-of-the-year standardized test.

Was your child previously enrolled in a public school but you took them out to homeschool them? Yes, I pulled my son out of public school after 6 years in the system. And, the last year he was enrolled, he made the honor roll every six weeks. So it certainly wasn't him having trouble with what they were teaching. It was me having trouble with how miserable he was in that environment.

Answer 6

My husband and I decided that I would homeschool our three kids for many reasons. In public school the teacher to student ratio is crazy. One adult to 20-30 kids is nuts. There is no way one adult can give each student the attention and help that they need. Also the discipline that is allowed the teacher to keep his classroom safe is not around any more. Even in our small town we have had 2 shootings in the past 16 months in the high school. Kids are not being parented correctly in our society today and as much as some people don't agree then just go out in public. When was the last time someone heard a child/youth say please, thankyou, excuse me, etc.? My kids are in preschool, 1st grade and 2nd grade. I feel as a parent it is my job to help my kids learn right from wrong along with just getting a good education. I don't like the idea that the main effecting influence in my kids lives are other kids that I don't approve of their behaviors. For 5-8 hours a day the main part of their day is spent with others who will influence with attitudes, language, etc. We have also decided to homeschool for religious reasons. There are things that we don't agree with that are being taught as complete fact and truth. My husband and I were youth ministers at one point and were shocked that our high school group of 25-28, only 2-3 were able to read well. My 7 year old reads as well as the high schoolers did. This brings me to the educational standpoint. I don't believe that the education given to these kids is what it should be. Not to say that someone can't learn and do well in the public school system, but I have seen more times than not that someone homeschooled is farther academically than someone from the public school system. And what is school for? Some say for socolization, but my understanding was that it was for gaining knowledge. So with all these things factored in, we chose home school.

Answer 7

I don't homeschool and wasn't homeschooled, but I have a few friends that do homeschool. They do it for different reasons.

One of them has 4 children of her own and 3 stepkids. They weren't happy with some behavior issues they were having in the public schools (they are all boys from middle school and up). They decided to send the one to a private school and he was doing much better but the others were still having some issues. They can't afford to send them all so the best option for them was to homeschool.
The mother feels that she can better discipline her boys. She can be sure that they are doing the work and completing the assignments. One of them is dyslexic so she feels that the slower pace and one on one will help him with his English too.
She wants to make sure that they are hanging out with an okay group of friends. In school they were part of the "bad" group and she didn't like it.
She also likes that they can work at their own pace and not by the pace set by the teacher or the by the majority of the class.

A couple others are very religious and want their children to be brought up with a Bible based curriculum. They feel that they can instill values at home better than an actual school. They also like the idea of hands on learning and learning from experiences rather than reading about it in a text book. They want to make sure their children are not distracted by other children who do not have the same values they do.

Another friend has 5 children and she is pretty well off. She just loves being a mom and wants to have a perfect little family that loves being together. She thinks that the class sizes are too big and the teachers are too stressed over state testing to really know her child and what they need.

Most of the families never sent their children to public school. They homeschooled from preschool.

SD

Answer 8

I am not a parent nor am i homeschooled, but i have been through homeschooling, private school, and public high school. Of those three, homeschooling was my least favorite. I know alot of people who are or who have previously been homeschooled and they all have very different opinions. personally i think it all depends on the situation; mostly just the teacher though. My mom taught my sister and I, and to put it "nicely" she was probably the worst teacher I had ever had. If you're considering homeschooling, be careful not to keep your child cooped up for hours on end working. Set aside no more than 45 minutes for each subject, include subjects such as art, or P.E.(sign your child up for a class, or sport) It's important for them to know that they are NORMAL. Put them in lots of activities because it is very hard for them to make friends unless they are involved. I hope this helps, I'd love to hear your decision!
Good Luck!

Answer 9

My son was enrolled in a public school for 2 years, but he was labeled as a trouble maker because if he didn't understand something right away he would ask questions. I found that most teachers don't like that because it takes up too much time. He wasn't learning what he should have and learning what he shouldn't from some other children. (At 6, he knew exactly how babies are made) I since realized that nobody is more concerned about your child than yourself. Public schools really don't care if your child learns what they need to as long as they get their funding for your child being present. God gave us our children for a reason. I don't like subjecting my children to such negativity. I have homeschooled my son since September and he has already completed the 2nd because I was here to answer his questions when he had one. We are going to begin 3rd grade tomorrow. Alot of children in public schools are way behind because the are too afraid to ask questions.

Answer 10

I'm home schooled and have been since 6 years ago.
And I LOVE IT! SO MUCH MORE FREEDOM, GREAT communication with parents, more love towards parents, a better relationship with parents, don't have to worry about homework as much, can take days off for vacations or field trips whenever And I belong to a Christian co-op, it's a place where kids and parents met once a week and we take classes taught by mother's who home school their children and have a great interest in one certain subject. so kids sign up for the class of their choice and depends on the age group the parent decides to teach and how many children per class. And we get homework for each class for over the week, I take, Science, spanish, Geography, Creatice Writing, and a Bible class. It's SO much fun!! I have TONS AND TONS of friends from there :) It's amazing and it's something I love with a great passion!
I'm only 14 and I have found a great love for school and I can NOT wait to go to college and can NOT wait to learn more and more and more!!! I love God and I feel he has a plan for me and homeschooling was one of them! so pray to God and he'll help you!

PS. I don't wear dresses every day, I don't have multiple siblings, and I do get enough social so please don't think of judging homeschooling like other people do... :@ okay sorry I hate when people treat me different and the wrong way. Talk back if you wanna know more. bye bye

Answer 11

I have thought about homeschooling a lot this past year. The reasons why are because I have a child who has difficulties communicating with other people (autism like). I have asked for help for him from the school for four years and struggled. They were not providing his needs and safety was a major issue. He would say things not realizing it was inappropriate and would get beat up. When he was in the fourth grade he was supposed to start social skills classes, but that never happened...school said they weren't ready yet.
Moving this past year to another state and starting high school my child has improved so much. I did tell him at the beginning of the year that if he did not feel safe at school he could be homeschooled. He is a really good student now, really motivated, and getting straight A's. I don't know what it was, but I am so thrilled.
I thought moving to Vegas would be different with school issues, but it turned out way better than I expected.

Reasons I would opt for homeschooling is if the child was not receiving what they needed from the school, there were a lot of safety issues...Another reason I thought about it for my child that is in Kindergarten...School is only 2 hours and it seems most of the learning is done at home in that case anyway.