For homeschoolers or their teachers only: What do you DISLIKE about homeschooling?

Question

I'm considering homeschooling my two young boys. I want to know what you don't like, or didn't anticipate when you began. Please, I only want answers from people who are homeschooled or their teachers, not people who are against homeschooling but who have no experience with it.

Answer 1

To be perfectly honest, the only thing I didn't anticipate and still dislike about homeschooling is the number of ignorant people we encounter who are actively hostile and/or rude when they find out about our educational choice. For some reason (that eludes me) homeschooling really is a hot button topic for a number of people. Unfortunately you almost need to be forearmed with an idea of how you'll address these people, especially in front of your children. Some people simply brush them off, while others at least attempt to educate them. Personally we've encountered everything from people who have 'quizzed' my children in grocery store lines, to ones who have berated us for not supporting the local school system, and even a few who talked at length about how wonderful our choice was because they were assuming we homeschool for reasons that have nothing to do whatsoever with our choice at all.

That is occasionally frustrating, but otherwise we absolutely LOVE homeschooling. The kids love learning (this is our 5th year). We have the opportunity to participate in many activities and trips that would otherwise be curtailed by school hours and homework. They have friends of all ages, beliefs, and cultures instead only their immediate peers and those of similar socio-economic backgrounds. We get to choose the learning methods that work for each of them, instead of trying to force one method on everyone (and there is literally a ton of curricula and materials to choose from out there). I could go on and on :-).

As with anything, just keep in mind that only YOU can make the best choice for your family. Good Luck to you!

Answer 2

probably becuase the public system doesn't respect homeschoolers. But I have the best of both worlds - I am a teacher, and currently teach 2 days per week at a school, and homeschool the rest of the time. I was a private tutor for many years also. I feel that the problem isn't the school teachers themselves - although you can never be sure of the quality of teacher you are going to get from year to year, rather it is the curriculum that is the problem, and how it needs to be taught in such a large group setting. The other problem is that the TV generation have grown up needing to be entertained, and their ability to think for themselves is reducing. And parents are being less strict with their childrens behaviour, so children are behaving poorly and this peer pressure has a bad impact on children. I have noticed over the last about 15 years how with the advent of mobile game equipment (such as game boy etc) becoming more common - that children have become more difficult to teach.

Answer 3

I asked my 9.5 yo dd that question and she kind of looked at me and said, "I don't know." Ask her what she does like and she'll give you a large list!

What I dislike about homeschooling is the clueless people who say negative things. I'm not talking about just in here: at stores, at playgrounds, etc. People who say things to you like, "Well kids need to have time with other kids to just have fun," as you are with a bunch of homeschooled kids at the playground, and adults who ask your children questions like, "Don't you want to go to school?" or just the looks you get sometimes as the person tries to be polite and not get into it, but you could tell from the flash on their face that they think you're a weirdo for homeschooling.

Other than that, I will admit there are days that are very frustrating; you wonder if this is a good thing or not! The same days can happen in any job, though, or in just being a parent. So, it's not like it's exclusive to homeschooling. I really can't think of anything else. Ooh, except perhaps the amount of STUFF you accumulate and have to go through regularly to reduce at least a little bit. lol.

ADDED: Some moms have mentioned the lack of "me time". Maybe we've just got a well-run house or something, but I get my me time on a daily basis and even go out occasionally with just some friends. Having solid routines and making the kids help out helps tremendously with household stuff. Also, an early bedtime, even if it's not an early lights out time, for the kids means I can have my down time before I go to bed. Admittedly, some of this downtime is planning for the next day, but it's still time when I can be sitting in front of the tv or have turned on some music I like and not be up and doing stuff with someone.

Second addition:
To those who found the kids (including themselves) were lacking in social skills, I find that so odd. My kids participate in extra-curriculars and the instructors/leaders have no clue my kids are homeschooled. My kids have no problem interacting with kids they've never met before--because they do it on a frequent basis. I've met plenty of homeschooled teens whose social skills are completely fine. Other than being a little more mature than average (for the most part), you'd never know they were homeschooled just by talking with them.

Answer 4

And already people have posted what they have heard... sigh.

Okay - the ONE thing that I HATE the most about homeschooling every day? ME time... there is no me time. I don't get the luxury of curling up with a book while the kids are sleeping - because I am cleaning up or getting lessons for the next day ready. I am constantly washing dishes because someone has to cook & wash the dishes. Growing kids are hungry!

I love homeschooling, and I love being here for the kids. But sometimes I think about hiring a babysitter just so that I can take a long bubble bath and read a book.

That being said - I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Answer 5

Homeschooling can be a great thing. you get to be with your kids more, they won't get stressed about competing with other children, they will get more attention on subjects they need help with.
However, homeschooling can go terribly wrong as well. They don't get a lot of constant interaction with children their own age, they miss out on a lot of "school only" opportunities (sports, dances, rallies). You have to let them know you are the teacher during work time they can take advantage of the fact you're mom and put off their work to watch TV.

You really need to make sure you also have the discipline because if you don't - they won't. Then 10 minute breaks become 30 minute breaks because the show is almost over or they read twice yesterday so they can skip reading today.

Try finding a homeschooling group in your area because they can also help. They plan field trips with a small group of other homeschoolers, its a good time for interaction with other kids and make sure you try and get them involved in city sports so they aren't so isolated.

Good luck !

Answer 6

This will be my third year homeschooling my boys who will be in 1st and 2nd grade. It's not a bowl of cherries, but it is fun (usually) and my kids learn a lot more than they would at traditional school (a whole lot more). We have so much more freedom and have made some excellent friends. My boys get to do impromtu field trips because we're there and they asked about something. They talk to all different kinds of people on a regular basis and have their education individually made for them. They learn household chores, money management, and life skills.

On the down side:

My house is a lot messier than if they were gone all day at school.

Sometimes I want to have a teachers day to myself, but since my students live with me, it doesn't happen.

We have a much lower standard of living because I'm home instead of working.

I get overwhelmed when I think about changing curriculm. Then I remember, it's not forever. If it doesn't work, I'll try something else.

I have an ADHD son who we decided NOT to medicate. He needs lots of one-on-one which shortens my time with my other boys.

We have to decide which activities we don't have time for. Sometimes we get too much going and have to cut back.

Sometimes, on a really challenging day trying to keep my boys motivated to finish their work, someone will come over and give me a big ol' hug and I'll loose my "do your work or..." train of thought.

I sometimes find myself setting my expectations too high or getting caught up in them not figuring out something. I have to step back and give it a day. Usually that all it takes.

My kids don't know how to give or receive wedgies or steal lunch money. They don't know what it's like to be bored and done with all your work, but not allowed to talk. Or feel so lost because all the other kids get it and they don't. They'll never be locked in a locker or teased because they wear the wrong shoes. They'll never learn to talk only to certain people and that some people are too good for them or not worth they're time. We never practice lock downs nor will we have metal detectors. I think I'm OK with that.

Answer 7

The thing I dislike most is the reactions and attitudes from those who are totally uninformed about homeschooling. Other than that, there isn't much I don't like.

A few things that can be tiring, but not a big deal are:

1. Money. I must sacrifice to be able to afford to homeschool, I must work lots of odd jobs, plus run a housekeeping business IN ADDITION to working full time homeschooling, planning, grading, etc.

2. Occasionally, I'd like time alone.... but then occasionally I do get it.

3. I get really tired of defending my decision to people who think its their business.

Answer 8

The only downside is the one that has to deal with those who are UNINFORMED and thus open their mouths about something they know NOTHING about (yep even spotted a few on here). My daughter and I were in the Dollar Tree and at the checkout line she started talking to the Cashier who had asked her if all the pretty notebooks were for school. When my daughter said no she was homeschooled the man behind us snidely remarked 'Great another Welfare case in the making because mom was too stupid to send her to school.' I thought I was going to bust a blood vessel---I promptly informed him that not only would she be eligible to recieve a High School Diploma when that time came, but that she could also qualify for College Scholarships to Ivy League schools if she did well enough. I then asked him how far he went in school to which he answered '7th grade'..... I turned to the cashier, jerked my thumb in the guy's direction and said ' See what happens when you don't get an education...Morons with a mouth!' (unfortunatly I tend to get smart mouthed when I get mad) I felt bad afterwards, but I think he got my point.

Answer 9

The only thing I dislike about homeschooling my children is constantly having to explain to people that yes, we get plenty of socialization and yes, the kids still have to take the state tests. Oh, and the other questions they rattle off, like "Why are you at the museum in the middle of the day? Isn't there school?" (duh, we're learning) or "how do you know you can teach them without a degree?" and blah, blah, blah.

LOL

You will get lots of weird questions, mainly by family and friends. The best thing to do is to go about your business and let the results prove that it can be done.

Now, I just point people to this:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/312728/why_homeschooling_is_a_valid_choice.html

LOL They can't say anything bad after reading that because it disproves all the common arguments. :-)

Answer 10

I was in homeschool and my 2 younger brothers still are. It is true that it's harder for them to get into college and get scholarships, but only because the colleges can't view their public school records since they are not in public school. And as far as friends go, that's where other out of school activities come in. Like karate classes or softball. If your going to have your boys in homeschool then they also need some group activities like those. When I was in homeschool it drove me crazy to be at home all day everyday.