Would you home school your children? Pros/Cons? Any real life experience greatly appreciated as well!?

Answer 1

I am absolutely going to homeschool my children. People are not designed to sit at a desk for 6 1/2 hours a day, especially boys. Why do you think that most of the children diagnosed with ADHD are boys? People learn best doing things.

Aside from that- it is for moral issues. I will not have my children brainwashed by the system. Telling them that everything is relative and there are no absolute truths and that secular humanism is the best way to live is just bunk.

Answer 2

Yes I would if I could go back and do it all over again. Only through the elementary years though. Interaction with other kids is easy at these ages with youth sports, local playground, etc. This would give them a better base and responsibility, while still getting social skills. As they move into middle and high school there are less youth sports and better opportunities (for the cost anyway - music, band, journalism) then you could probably provide. Also gives them "real life" people skills while still at home so you can help them. Only thing is you need to be dedicated, and study yourself. A lot of the things my middle schooler is doing I wasn't doing until my junior/senior years of high school. You also have to be open minded and not pass on bias that you have. By all means state your case but have other points of view and have a logical conclusion rather than "because I said so" conclusion.

Answer 3

No...I live in a great school district and I know people say they have these coops and field trips and things, but as an educational social worker, I don't think these kids are getting as good of an educational experience as kids in school.

I'm not talking about MEAP scores and college prep, I'm talking the whole experience.

And from a spiritual standpoint, we need to teach our children to be Christians in the real world...to stand in society as a Christian, not shelter them.....I say that only because most of my friends home school due to religious beliefs I know not all homeschoolers have them.

I do a lot of home educating at home (since birth), but my son's teacher comes up with ways to explain things or get him to do things I'd never think of because I'm not a teacher.

Teaching is a skill it isn't something anyone can just do....I wouldn't home school any more than I would home doctor my sick child.

Answer 4

No I wouldn't homeschool my children. So many parents debate doing this. I don't think they contemplate all the social skills they are taking away from their children. Do you know how many friends they can meet while in school. I am 27 years old and I have still have a friend from grade school that I still love and cherish to this day. What do you people have wrong with public or private schooling. Do you think you are the only ones that can teach your children. Are you scared or violence and what they can learn in school. Better take away the radio and tv, and computer then because kids will find it. People need to quit making their children live in a bubble becuase they will be a nuisance to society after their parents get done damaging them by making them live in a bubble.

Answer 5

Never. Unless you have a teaching degree from a university, you have no business teaching any kids including your own. Even if you did have a degree, you're not qualified to teach every subject.

I have to believe that the majority of people that home school are crazy religious fundamentalists and they do it because they want their children to think that the earth is 6,000 years old and that evolution is a lie created by satan.

I would send my kid to a private school before I would consider homeschooling.

Answer 6

I wouldn't unless I thought my school district was really bad (we have good schools here) or if I thought the school was in a really dangerous area. I know I will probably get a thumbs down, but the only kids I know who are home schooled are not well socialized. I know two girls who are high school aged and they cling to their mother like 5 year olds. I also know a boy who is in 6th grade and he cannot read. Those are the only kids I know well who are home schooled, but I think they would be better off in school.

Answer 7

I have been home schooled my entire life, I am going to school for the first time for high school, I'm really excited, I hated being home schooled, my mom and I weren't very compatible so I didn't learn as much as I could.
Pros: you get to teach your kids what you want them to learn not the school system.
Your kids wont have negative social exposure.
Your family will be a lot closer and you get to spend more quality time with them.

Cons: Your teaching might not be compatible with your children's learning styles.
Your kids might have more peer pressure problems when their older because they never have been exposed to all the drugs and sex before so they don't know how to handle it.
Your family will be alot more split up.
It might be easier for your kids to fall back in their studies because many homeschooling have to do everyday chores, arrends and outings while trying to teach their kids.

I commend you for thinking about homeschooling, public school is not the only option and its great ppl are starting to realize that, best of luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 8

No, it's simply not for us. I want my kids to have a far broader view of the world than only that I have to offer,and the socialization (to me ) is better in school. I also feel strongly kids need time apart from their parents to grow into who they'll be.

Some people raise STELLAR children through home schooling- some do not. It is popular in my town, but most do a poor job. the families are ultra religious, with little formal education- the family with 8 kids 'home schooled' down the street have their kids work ion Grandpa's farm all day, they are very ignorant and far behind other kids their age. Not the norm for home schooling, I know, but turns me off from it.

Answer 9

I prefer that teachers teach. What I plan on doing is more "tutoring". When my son comes home from school, I would like to go over his assignments w/ him rather than teach him "everything". I will be 100% involved w/ his schooling but I will not be in charge.
I do know of one family that did home schooling. The man and woman were both world travelers, had phd's, taught "on the road". Their idea of home schooling was quite interesting as they were all over the place (Africa, Europe, etc.).

Answer 10

I personally do not agree with homeschooling, but to each their own. I was a homeschooled child. Through all of middle school and most of high school I did my work either at home or in a "private" Church setting. I do not feel that I was given the opportunities that some children recieved because of this. I missed prom, dances, my friends and alot of basic things that others my age were getting to do. Things have changed alot since I was homeschooled, and my mother still homeschools my youngest brother (much to my dismay).
As for homeschooling children, if you are cabable, dedicated, have the time, and are educated enough to do such, then go for it! I feel that a parent that homeschools their child should be required to pass certian tests and meet certian standards as our public and private school teachers are. This way their children are recieving the best education possible.
I do not think a mother or father, who didnt finish high school, who doesnt have or take the time to sit with the child at least 4 hours a day, who cannot even understand the work a child is doing themselves, should be allowed to homeschool. If you didnt have the time to finish school yourself, or get a GED and go on to learn more about how to teach your child, then you are not qualified to do so. Sorry if this steps on toes but its my opinion.
There are several children in our area that are homeschooled who are smart, above their level in learning, and doing a wonderful job. The parents spend time with them, have established routines and most are college gradutates themselves.
Then there are those who are way behind on what they should know, do not understand the basic concepts, and will not get much further than they are now because the parents do not take the time needed or do not understand the work themselves.
YOu cannot sit a child down with a workbook, or textbook, tell them to read and do the questions, and expect them to understand everything without some kind of outside explanation. If you are going to homeschool then you must do as a teacher would, go over the material with them, explain it to them, make sure they understand before moving on.
As on poster stated, there are alot of programs for homeschooled children to give them the social opportunities that a public or private school one. There is sports, band, reading programs, even dances and other things the older kids would enjoy, but its not always the best choice.
Kids need to socialize, to learn how to react in public situations and to meet new people. They need to learn how to deal with the stress of day to day living outside the home and to me public or private school is the best way for them to do this.
As I stated before, if you are dedicated to teaching your child and stick with the proper program, have the educational background yourself to ensure their education, then go for it. But if you dont, dont punish your child because of your fears of public school systems, instead be an involved parent and stick your nose into the classrooms. Go to PTO meetings, get involved in their school, at least then they are getting the education they need, and you can be assured they are safe and in a good environment. Just do your reasearch, use the links other posters have provided and make that call based on real information, not just opinions.