Anyone gone the homeschooling rout?

Question

I'm about 5 years away from being ready for kids, but we're thinking about doing homeschooling.

Answer 1

We began homeschooling when our child was in fourth grade and would never go back.  We are watching her schooled friends (in one of the nation's top districts) become bored, stressed out children who fear adults and cannot make intelligent decisions.

A correction to a few of the answerers here.  Homeschooling does not in any way hurt a child's socialization skills.  Homeschooling families do not keep their children away from society.  On the contrary, homeschooled kids have MORE socialization time because they are not shut up in a classroom all day.  http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/arti...

You might want to do some reading on homeschooling.  I would suggest John Holthttp://www.holtgws.com/ and John Taylor Gattohttp://www.johntaylorgatto.com/  Mr Gatto was awarded the NYC and NY State Teacher of The Year Award.  His indictment of the systemhttp://members.aol.com/singletax/7lesson... will give any parent pause for thought.

All the best.

Answer 2

I have 7 children and at one time or another I home schooled everyone of them. Since I truly loved the primary school and the teachers I enrolled them from first through 6th and when the rule  changed through 5th grade. I did not agree with the mandatory law for enrolling Kindergarten and taught them myself. I was not so fond of the middle school however, they are at a very fragile age and learn more bad behavior and disrespect than anything else, so I home schooled them during the middle school years and put them back into the system during high school. I must say I was surprised each time, because I realized that I did not know my children as well as I thought when I kept them at home, but I was very pleased to re-establish a relationship with them and we got to know each other, also they were way ahead of the curriculum since it's one on one teaching and one can advance far more quickly. So when they re-entered the system and were tested they all tested 2-3 years ahead. By the time they graduated they managed to keep their 4.0 average and received many scholarship offers from Universities and colleges, I did encourage to keep their friendships up, because I did not want them totally isolated and shy or uncomfortable when they returned after 3 years. I did not join home schooling clubs or organizations, because I do not agree with sequestering them from the outside world.  I would recommend home schooling, at least for a short time and a trial, to any parent, because the time you have with your child or children is so very short, and I for one learned many things during that time from them as well. And they learn social skills just as well as children at school, it is not a valid argument. Everyone of my children loved being home schooled and they intend to do the same during the middle school years with their children.

Answer 3

We'll be going the homeschooling route for elementary school.  I think the school systems screwed up enough with my brothers and sisters to put my kids through that.  Imagine, my mom was told my sister was RETARDED and should be put in special classes, and she knew how to read before she went to school (I taught her to read at 5 since we didn't have kindergarten). She was too shy and embarrassed to speak up in class because the teacher barked her questions at kids (my Mom found this out later).  I could go on and on, but I will say that both my sisters, accused of being retarded, went on to get National Merit Scholarships among other things.

Most kids I know who homeschool (I used to be a tutor) have many opportunities for socialization that does not involve bullying, threats from adults, or restrictions on bodily functions.

Answer 4

I was home schooled and I loved it. I have home schooled my daughter up through 4th grade but we have determined she needs to go to school--we're having another baby and then surgery 6 weeks after, so she'll miss too much, fall too far behind...I really enjoy doing home school, but I highly recommend if you do, you pick your curriculum and feel comfortable with it. I also think it's no shame if you realize your kids need extra tutoring or school you can't do--each child is unique--I know families who have a mix of children who home school, and those who attend regular school. Go by what your kids need...

There are lots and lots of options, explore them all before you make your decision. You can do on line public schooling in several states, which is school at home but is accredited--so they graduate with a high school diploma. There are programs where you can send schoolwork back and have it graded by the school--so it's accredited. And you can just follow the curriculum at your own pace. Plus, you can take the kids to be tested at a tutoring club of some sort, just to measure where they are placing with their reading and math skills. This is good, both so you can know how you are doing and what you need to work on, and so you can present records of some sort should you ever decide to enroll your kids in school. Plus, there are private schools, and charter schools. Lots and lots of options...explore, explore, explore...! Good luck!

Answer 5

My parents homeschooled me up to 6th grade. I then went to 7th and up in public school. It was a good experience and I really bonded with my mom, but if both parents are planning to work then do public school.

Answer 6

I did home schooling once when i was a student. It was the 2nd grade. The next year at public school i was 3 grades ahead of what i should have been as far as my reading level. Home schooling is a hit and miss. How well the child learns will depend on the parents teaching ability obvioulsly.

Answer 7

Don't decide anything until you actually have the kids :) I don't homeschool mine, but my daughter reacts completely differently when I try to teach her something, anything, to how my son reacts. I could homeschool my son, no problem. My daughter and I would hate each other within a week :) I think there's no question that it's not for every child.

If you want to talk to people who've done it, go over to the "Education and reference" section - there's a whole homeschooling forum.

Answer 8

In many cases homeschooling does not allow kids to properly assimilate into society. If you do homeschool, find a homeschool group in your area, and DO NOT homeschool past the 3rd grade. A lot of psychologists recommend putting them into school around that time.

Answer 9

I'm homeschooled and think that whne your kids are younger it is fun, but when you are 14 and have one guy friend that you can't really talk girly with it is hard. If you live in a big city and have a large homeschool group than it might be better, but little town homeschooling doesn't work!

Answer 10

I used to think that I'd love to do homeschooling, too. Then I had a kid. :) That makes me sound awful, but it's the truth. I think it's wonderful and I really admire the parents that are able to do it. I know I didn't answer, but I just wanted to say I think you should keep your options open until the time comes.

Answer 11

I think when children are homeschooled they miss out on a lot of the social interactions they need to learn and develop properly.

Academics are important, and homeschooling makes it so that the child is at their level without having to worry about other kids' levels and distractions, but that's the only benefit I can think of.

Social knowledge is equally as important as academic knowledge in the "real world", because if you're socially awkward and don't know how to deal with people, you'll find yourself in a place very different from any environment you've ever been in before. It'll be easy to get a better job if you're outgoing and know a lot about people.

Answer 12

i am 13 and homeschooled and i must say, homeschooling is great!  

just think about it--you get to spend time with your kids all day, and take them on field trips to the zoo, museum, etc... and it can cut into the school day because you can plan around it and do lessons there

you also have free choice of what you want your kids to learn--like if youre religious, especially

it's also easier to attend parties and go on vacation

some people think that kids who are homeschooled dont have as good a social life and not as many friends as kids who go to public school, but i think that's the opposite!! i have tons of friends most of who are also homeschoolers!

since i am homeschooled, i like coming to school in my pajamas and not always having to rush :) plus having control over my subjects and what i do first, last, etc.

and i never have to catch up to the "rest of the class" because my sister and i ARE the whole class!

and some people say homeschoolers are smarter than public school kids

you can try it for a year or so with your (future) kids and see what works out

the decision is really up to u

but i think homeschooling rocks!! good luck