Is Homeschooling A Good Idea?

Question

Me and my parents have been thinking about homeschooling for me for about a month or so now. And my parents keep telling me that they'll sign me out of school whenever I felt ready to. (so we could start the homeschooling.) And so just yesterday, I decided I was ready, and I let a couple of my teachers know, since my chior was just about to go on a UIL contest, and he needed to know whether or not I'd be there. But now I'm starting to have second thoughts... like what about my best friend? She is really upset about me leaving.. plus I'll never be able to scelebrate homecoming, or my prom night. But the pros are that I was have more freedom, I can relax a little bit more, ride my bike more, and not have to worry about the peer pressures I get from school. I don't know what to do!!

Answer 1

I was homeschooled all my life and I went to the prom - twice! About half my friends are public schooled and I went with two friends from different schools, and as many other folks mentioned on here there are plenty of home school proms now. There are many home school graduations as well and I fully expect that there will be home school class reunions.

As far as your best friend, if you two are really close friends this should change nothing - you both have lives after school, and since so many people want to use the school/work analogy, that's how things work in the real world. You have the people you see at work, and then you have the friends you choose to make time for in your life outside of that.

Many schools (though this does differ by state) allow you to take several classes at the school while you are home schooled. You may want to look this up, since there may be no reason for you to quit choir if you don't want to.

Home schooling - much like public schooling - does not work for everyone. Some people do not make an effort to find activities and resources in their communities, and some of them are introverted because of that. However, anyone who wants to tell you that there are no "socially lacking", or introverted public schooled kids is just oblivious to the facts. Personally I had a ton of after school activities and outings with friends, if anything it was almost too much of a social life. But home schooling is just like every other kind of education - it works well for some, not so well for others, and it is not perfect. One social skill that I do think you get from home schooling that public school does not give you is the ability to work with people of different ages. When you only interact with people in your grade you are living in a false environment that you will never find again in your life. It is highly unlikely that all your friends, your spouse, co-workers, employees, will always be the exact same age as you. My first job was teaching music at a community college (when I was 17) to a room full of adults. The interaction with people of all ages was a huge asset in that, and allowed me to do my job no matter who my students were.

I hope this helps you to make your choice, good luck!

Answer 2

Yes. I'm 15, and have been for the past decade. I never feel a lack of socialization. And as for your friends, if they really like you, you will still be great friends. I think that you'll still be able to go to a prom, and if not, there are many homeschool groups out there who make proms for all the kids graduating in the same year. In our group, 5 of us will be graduating, and the party will be in about 2-3 years. Note: We are not all the same age, we are just all the same grade. Don't worry; you will have plenty of socialization and much free time without the peer pressure you worry about. Listen, take it from a homeschooler. I know.

Answer 3

Stick with your decision to homeschool, at least for the rest of this year and perhaps even next year. Your decision to do what's truly best for you should have NOTHING to do with your best friend. NOTHING. My best friend moved to another city because that's where her fiance had a job. She wasn't going to stick behind to stay where I lived!!!

I don't even know what homecoming is because we don't have that here, nor do we have prom. I'm telling you this to say that it's not an essential part of life. I don't feel like I missed out on anything not growing up somewhere they had these things. That aside, you may still be able to participate in those things as I've heard of homeschooling groups setting up stuff and I've even heard of homeschoolers going as guests to the school proms. Where there's a will, there's a way!

You need to do what is truly best for you: staying in school to make your friend happy and go to homecoming and prom, be under constant peer pressure, have more stress, spend most of your day in school then your evenings doing homework OR stay in homeschooling, spend these last years of school with less stress, more time to do what you are interested in, becoming more sure of yourself, etc. Which is going to benefit you most in the long run?

Answer 4

I just started homeschooling only cause it will help me be more in control of my studies. And i will be able to graduate so much earlier. Im in the 10th grade and since im doing homeschooling now , i will be able to graduate from high school in a about a year and a half....depends how fast i work.So it is a good idea. Just make sure you do keep in touch with friends and it will be a different kind of experience. that hopefuly will turn out for the best. Wish you the best luck!!

Answer 5

Are you going to make a decision about your life and schooling based on maybe missing a couple of dances? Prom lasts (at most) 6 hours. Same (or less) for homecoming. They aren't life altering events, and if you really want to go, there are homeschooling proms all over the place.

As for your best friend, you can still have friends from your "old" life. You will find out if you are real friends (who share common interests) or just friends thru happenstance and convenience.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Well, some high schools do allow homeschooled children to participate in proms. If not, many communities have homeschooling groups that provide a prom.
You can still see your best friend. It's not like you're moving across the country, are you?
I did move across the country, but I still talk to my friends from school.
I loved homeschooling. (I was homeschooled for the last two years of high school, and finished in 9 months.) If you think you'd like it, go for it.
And homeschoolers do experience socialization and real life.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at [e-mail].

Answer 7

Who said you would not see your bf anymore or that you could not be part of homecoming or prom? My kids homeschool. You can go to your public high school prom with your bf. You also can go to your local homeschool high school group's prom too :) It sounds to me like your parents have not done their homework exploring the options available to you right now.

You need to find a local homeschool group with teens and talk to one of them IN real life to see what is there for you. Also when you go out of public school and start homeschooling you are going to need an emotional support system and be prepared to detox by going through some conflicting emotions on this. Do you have curriculum, have your parents decided what method of instruction, what about colleges you want to attend?? You are correct that you will have more freedom, BUT you also will have more responsiblitys and so will your parents. I reccomend a book called Home School High School and beyond. That is what my older teens used starting in late middle school to sort out how they want to approach their high school years and set goals for the future. Make life plans.

Also be sure to get a copy of your academic records and document what you are doing through the next semester. You want to make sure your parents withdraw you following the law in your state and keep copies of the formal letter of withdrawl etc.. Helps to get a three ring binder to set up your records at home. Good luck to you, definately make mom and dad sit down with you and tell them you need their help working this through.

Answer 8

In our state, you would not have to drop out of the choir and you would be able to attend any function the school puts on including Prom and Homecoming. My kids are involved in school sports and have even taken classes at the public schools.

Check this web site for your states laws on being involved in activities www.hslda.com.

Do not let people discourage you! A lot of people who haven't a clue will throw the old "socialization" myth out there. Do research before you buy into it, it is a lame argument! Feel free to email for more information.
Blessings!

Answer 9

Homeschooling has a big drawback. Most homeschooled children have more book-sense but are short on common- sense. Peer pressure is a good thing in a way. You learn good from bad, right from wrong. People who are homeshooled are for the most part very shy. The only friends they seem to have are their parents and they want to cling to them. Stay in public school if your parents will let you. Taking the bitter with the sweet is what life is all about.

Answer 10

i was homeschooled for several years and i regret it very much. you don't realize how much you will miss out on. peer pressure is somthing that cannot be avoided, just prolonged. its much better to learn how to deal with it now than when you are an adult. also, do you plan to go to college? even if you aren't you'll eventually get a job and going to school will help you develop key socialization skills you will need in the real world. don't be afraid to stay where you are because you will greatly benefit from it.

ive not only been homeschooled but i know many people who have. they don't do well in public situations. even a year or two being homeschooled can lead to forms of social anxiety, loss of friends, and many other things that could put you far behind your peers.
my suggestion is that you stay where you are and tough it out. homschooling is not good for you.