Homeschooling for military children Yay or nay?

Question

As I've read many posts about whether homeschooling or public school is best I have a question to put out for others to voice an opinion.

My husband is army so we've moved every 1-2 years (going on 10 years) and have four children. This obviously results in our children changing schools and curriculums. Do you think it's better to put my children into public school where they have the chance of having a classroom that is either ahead or behind their previous school instead of homeschooling where I am able to have the continuity of an education and other important educational opportunities. (Socialization is a small point since we live on a military installations and children run wild as anyone else who's lived on one knows :))

Just wondering if you were in the same situations...what would you do in the BEST interest of your children...not your own wants or needs?

Answer 1

Honestly, I'd be more inclined to homeschool in your situation.  All of that transition is probably hard enough on your kids without having to adjust to a whole new curriculum sequence every year or two.

Personally, we homeschool because the schools in my area are unable/unwilling to accomodate my son's needs.  They also have a 20%+ dropout rate annually, which isn't really something I want for him.  (They do have a slammin' football team, though...yay.)

Homeschooling can give your kids consistency in what they're learning, and since you live on base, there's no problem with them making friends.  You can homeschool anywhere in the world, using the curricula that you know are right for them; they don't have to change just because your husband gets transferred.  I think it would be a really great thing for them.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

I was the child that was moved from school to school and it was horrible. every district and country is so different that the only way i learned anything was by reading and independent study. I do think homeschooling has many advantages for any situation but especially for those that move a lot. I got very discouraged as a kid and teen! Good luck!

Answer 3

My opinion on this is the same as for homeschooling generally: acceptable for elementary grades, marginal for middle school, and deficient for high school.  Few parents have the expertise to teach specialized subjects such as mathematics, science, and languages at the high school level -- let alone all of these.

Answer 4

What's best for the children depends on you, as a parent. Are you interested and willing to give them a great, consistent education at home? Then do it. Yes, a consistent curriculum is going to benefit them more. But your heart has to be in it. It has to be something you truly WANT to do because if you don't want to do it, it'll come across to your kids and they'll be better off in school.

Answer 5

hello from the age of 1 to the age of 14 i moved 13 times my parents decided to home school me after my 3rd school to save me the stress of being the new kid every year at school. i enjoyed it alot more as my studies stayed constant instead of being all over the place. I did not lack socially as i got involved in alot of recreational activities.Personally from experience of being brought up that way i would recommended giving it a go as all people are different it may not work for them but it definatly was alot better for me. good luck

Answer 6

Home schooling is indeed in the best interest of the children, we moved to many times to count, both in the US, and overseas.

It is true that children adjust to the many changes in locations, including schools, however this does not mean it is in their best interest.

Children adapt because often times they are not given a choice.

Home schooling gives a military family the flexibility they need, and gives them the opportunity to adjust their family/school schedule to the active duty members schedule.

While home schooling you can truly meet the needs of each family member.

Military children often have to miss out on being with the active duty parent due to deployments, irregular shift work, when they pull alerts, and so on; home schooling gives them the chance to flex with this.

From personal experience, I would say that we would have home schooled sooner had we known it was an option twenty years ago; with our older one we used DOD, and private school options first.

We home schooled the others, and are still actively home schooling two.

Home schooling has many benefits other than giving the children a individualized education, it brings a military family closer  together, because there are already enough stresses on these families; no need to add to them when you have the choice not too.

Our children are now ages p*****n to late twenties, and our oldest chose to serve as well.

As parents, grandparents, retired military, and parents of an active duty child I have to say home schooling is the way to go for consistency in their education, and for the most important reason of all; family....

For information on military home schooling go to;

http://www.militaryhomeschoolers.com/

Answer 7

I know many military families who home school.   It keeps your kids on the same curriculum instead of having to re-adjust constantly and either backing up and being bored or trying to catch up if the new school is ahead.  

It can also give them a continuous point to take along with them no matter where they go and make them feel at home in each new house.  

Good luck with your decision!   We love home schooling ourselves.  My kids really enjoy the freedom that they have to study their own interests.