OK. So, what are some reasons for homeschooling your kids?

Question

I am really trying to research this option. I live in a community who is like: "you're crazy!!! Why home school when you can send them to a school? They all pull the social issues card... and then the "don't you want your kids to have everything?" in a struggle to make me understand that is far more important to make money than to home school. I would like some insight from your perspective, why did you choose to home school? Or if you are thinking of it, why? Even if you have an opinion why it should be done, I'd like to know why, please.

I am doing my homework, but I would also like to hear real people's input. Others tell me that the kids will not have a well rounded education.. etc.. etc... and that I am incapable to facilitate that... I do have several degrees, and one of them is in teaching... so there's no reason why I shouldn't be qualified.

You could also describe pro's and con's that would be ideal. Thanks!!

Answer 1

There are so many great answers here that I'm not going to repeat my long story again because everything has been said.  Check out this site:

http://school.familyeducation.com

Go down to where it says Homeschooling and Alternative Education. You'll find plenty of information there.  Somewhere there's a link for the pros and cons of homeschooling, but the url was too long to paste here.  If you want to go directly to it just type in the same url above then add (or cut and paste) the following:  

/home-schooling/parenting

  /29861.html

and hit enter, and it should take you there.

Answer 2

I am a high school graduate.  I read, write and understand what I read.  I am qualified.  Sorry.  Had to get that over with first. (smile)

My reason for homeschooling was that doing the same thing, the same way and expecting different results is the definition on insanity.  Our son was starting the 8th grade and, in my opinion, had about a 6th grade education.  He was passed along from grade to grade and was not learning what I thought he was capable of learning.  

My husband's reason was for social reasons.  He had direct contact with grades 6-12 through his work at the schools and decided that the kids were clueless.  The kids learned from other kids much more than they learned from the 'qualified' teachers.

So, we each had a reason to homeschool.

It has worked for us.

Our son is learning.  He knows how to talk to all age groups of people.  He is a people person and has no problem making friends wherever he goes.

You need to find your reason or reasons to homeschool.  You will receive negative comments, so be prepared.

Also, you may want to visit your public school.  I work in public school and I really don't think parents have a true picture of what their kids face everyday.  It is not the way it was when we were there.  The 'well rounded' education is not as impressive in real life as it appears in print.

Answer 3

well whats the crime rate like

do they have metal detectors in the schools

do they have full shops

metal

plastics

auto

electronics

fibre glass

do they have chem, biology and physics LABS

do they print a student newspaper on campus

do they have a drama department

music dept

radio station

tv station

how are their test scores

what percentage of graduates go on to college

THe MORE good answers the better off you are brick schooling the more nos or negatives the better off you are homeschooling

Answer 4

First off, you don't need a degree to teach your children.  Good parenting always translates to good teaching, credentials are not an issue... :o)

I agree that putting the kids' needs first is more important than making money, and in fact, I could argue that you would save a bundle by homeschooling. We save hundreds of dollars per year just in doctor's visits alone -- we RARELY visit the doctor's office now.  We save hundreds on clothing -- because the kids are not immersed in pop culture day-in-day-out, they don't feel the pressure to "fit-in" by what they wear. We can safely buy nice clothing that isn't too hip and not break the bank.  Afterschool childcare costs are non-existent, too.

Personally, we homeschool for many reasons, not the least of which is for the freedom to travel when we want to, for academics (not challenged appropriately in public school), to avoid negative peer issues (pressure and bullying), socialization...

"What??" you say?

Let me elaborate a bit on that last one, because the "S" word is used by those who don't understand homeschooling.  Our kids socialize all the time: with eachother, with other kids during activities outside the home, with other adults. They learn their social skills from us, the parents, not from other kids...  Besides, I thought kids went to school to learn, not to socialize. Seems our society's priorities are a little off if this is the case.

My 2cents... :o)

Answer 5

i do want my kids to have it all. my oldest daughter is considered a genius, her iq is way up there genius level and she needed to be working at her own pace. right now she is almost done with the grade she is in and just started in august. i will homeschool all my kids. we use the k12 curriculum.  you can take a look at it. we love it.

www.k12.com

i think you should do what fits you and your family. good luck.

Answer 6

u do not have to be a teacher to home school ur kid. i homeschool myself im in 13 and its easy i do it while my moms at work all she does is check my work.

Answer 7

The reasons we started and the reasons we continue are completely different.  We started due to needs that weren't being met in the school system.  We continue because it's become a way of life for us.

The kids travel with their dad and know their country and province inside out.   We have the freedom to "socialize" with whomever we choose rather then the same 25 children day in and day out.  

We can choose to study about the things that the kids are interested in rather then what the government says they should learn in a certain grade.  Kids tend to learn and retain things better when they are actually interested in it.   :)    If they kids get interested in one subject we don't have to stop because a bell rings.   We can run with it and then, if possible, we can take a field trip that relates to that subject.  

We have fun as a family.   I actually ENJOY being with my kids (most days  LOL).   I have a lot of friends who, while they love them,  just put up with their kids and I find that sad.

My kids have been extras in a movie, participated in a film school (writing, directing, acting, producing, editing a film).  They've taken classes that none of their friends have been able to because their friends have too much homework at the end of a long day of sitting at a desk.

You do have days when you wonder why on earth you decided to homeschool.  Sometimes, those days turn into a week!  However, we usually just take a day or two off and let ourselves relax and then we get back on track.  

We'd never change it.

Answer 8

Omg to your community!

Why homeschool when you can send them to school?

-Because I love my kids.

-Because I enjoy raising my kids and spending time with them.

-Because I'm completely willing to teach them what they need to know.

-Because I don't see why I should hand over my kids to someone else to do what I can do.

Don't I want my kids to have everything?

-Actually, that's impossible. If they'd pull something like that on me and I was willing to come off as a little rude, I might say, "Yes, I'd particularly like that they have a lower degree of materialism than society at large."

I chose to homeschool because of my experiences teaching. My husband also thought about homeschooling because of his experiences teaching. Our primary concern is the social issue: we do NOT like the social atmosphere of schools--the culture, the ideas, the structure... We are convinced it doesn't make any sense to be lumped together in large classes according to age--and that it makes far more sense to grow up in constant mulit-age scenarios.

We added to those reasons a desire to meet our children where they were at in terms of academics. Our daughter has tended to always be advanced and learn quickly. Why should she have to wait for others to be done or do the same number of problems or any of that? She's working on integers and other pre-algebra work right now and actually started a couple of years back. She's 10. My son has always had his own pattern, sometimes looking like he's lagging, then you suddenly realize he's not only no longer lagging, he's ahead of where he ought to be. That would NOT work in school.

As we've homeschooled and learned and thought more about all the various implications of having children essentially grow up part-time in institutions, we really, really, really value homeschooling as a family way of life. Our kids are good friends. Sure, they've got their falling outs as every set of siblings does, but they are friends. They're also close to us. They haven't learned that it's "not cool" to enjoy being with your parents, hugging them, getting--or giving--kisses... And frankly, as mom of this family, I don't see why I gave birth to them so that someone else would do the bulk of the raising for 12-13 years out of their childhood.

Btw, parental education on average doesn't affect a homeschooled child's education levels. Even those without high school diplomas are able to give their kids a well-rounded education. People try to do the whole "qualified" thing because they really don't understand that a teaching degree is far less about being able to teach someone something and far more about teaching a *big group of someones* something. And be held accountable to parents, school, school board, state... Do you think you'd really get up in front of your kids and teach them the way you'd teach a class? :) (A few homeschooling parents do decide to do it that way, but most don't. It's just not necessary.)

I've in some way shared many pros above. There are many, many pros depending on how you go about it. The primary con is dealing with people who don't understand homeschooling. ;)

Answer 9

I'm 15, not in school but not homeschooled either. By that, I mean that my parents are not my teachers in any way, shape, or form. I am not enrolled in an online school.

I'm a nerd armed with a fast Internet connection and a library card. My only consistent teacher is a math tutor, who's freaking awesome.

I'm a responsible, overall pretty organized person so I have a lot of independence. Here's a pros and cons list from my end of the deal:

Pros:

-When I'm with my friends, we talk about something besides schoolwork. Since we aren't being forced to do something we hate, we can skip the "Bio was so stupid today," and go straight to the "Would you rather have a bionic arm or a bionic leg?" You know, the stuff that matters.

-Homeschoolers as a group seem to be more secure than schoolers, so the dating scene is more platonic. I've been with my boyfriend for a year and we're both still virgins. Been rocky at times, but we've hung in there. It's my anniversary today. :) Honestly, I think boys benefit from that more than girls. In my group -which encompasses Christians from liberal to fundie, some hardcore fundie Mormons, Jews from liberal to Orthodox, and a good number of atheists with personal philosophies all across the board, so it's not like we have a unified creed- it's okay for a guy to not be interested in dating, or to just hold hands and kiss. We can do other cool stuff and have our independence so we don't have to take the more damaging route of jumping in to bed at age 14. We have our share of drama, but no pregnancies and no STDs.

-Freedom in all matters. Can't stress this one enough. I have all the educational freedom I could want. I really like math, so I ask my tutor for double the work. I'm prepping on my own for the AP US history test, and having an awesome time of it. I'm learning a lot in a really short time...I managed to lose a month but I'm back on top of everything now. This doesn't sound too good to schoolers, and a lot of non-schoolers, but that freedom also branches to what I just have no interest in. For a long time, I had no interest in chemistry or biology. I tried two classes, a tutor, and independent work, but it was just boring and I still don't know much. However, I've been thinking about college and realized that I'm going to need those sciences, so I'm seeing about setting up a class with some other people. Since I have a reason to remember the science, I will. I'll get basically the same education, but without the wasted time, effort and money that would be spent on forcing me to do it. My parents have given me a lot of personal responsibility as well. I have my share of s***w-ups, but I'm handling it. I have to get myself out of the bed in the morning -and since I share a room, no alarm clocks allowed- and get out the door on time. If I forget about a class or don't bring my stuff, too bad for me. My parents sign me up for classes, get me the stuff, and leave me to my own devices. It sucks sometimes but I know it's getting me ready for real life. In a few years, if I forget to do my laundry, nobody's going to remind me and it won't be done for me. If I don't complete my assignments in college, or do what I'm supposed to do at my job, nobody's going to check in and bother me. I'd much rather get the bumps and bruises now than in three years, when I'd be paying $40,000 a year to learn how to clean a desk.

-I can get to Gamestop before the school kids do, before something sells out.

-Same as above for movie theaters and anything else. Off-hours are open to me.

-Choice. If I wanted to go back to school -which I have debated- I could. However, if I wanted to get in to a specialized school -which I would- I would have to set up the interviews, prepare for the entrance exams myself, and so on.  If I wanted to sign up for an online school, I could. The only option not open to me is private school, because that's too expensive.

Cons:

-People feel very free to spout off their offensive and entirely uninformed dogma. As soon as someone finds out I'm homeschooled, every trait I have becomes a negative and is blamed on the fact that I'm homeschooled. It usually doesn't bother me much, because when they get home they have to do homework, and when I get home I can play Halo. Best part is, I'm the one with a better education. (I know that sounded arrogant. The schoolers aren't to blame for the poor quality of the institution. However, I can and do blame them for being a--holes.)

-Nobody does it for you. You have to remember to go outside and make friends, because nobody's locking you in a room with 30-35 people your age. Usually a good thing, but occasionally annoying.

-Getting picked up by the cops for using a student Metrocard/explaining homeschooling to the cops. Transit system officials have asked some pretty special questions.

Them: HEY! YOU! GET OVER HERE. Got a student ID?

Me: No, but I have a state ID that shows that I'm 15.

Them: It's 1:30, why aren't you in school?

Me: I'm homeschooled.

Them: Then why are you outside?

The last line can also be replaced with either of the following:

"Where *is* homeschool?"

"Do you mean you were suspended and have work from your teachers?"

Pretty special stuff.

-I don't think being homeschooled is a big deal but other people do, and it can be rather isolating when all anybody wants to do is quiz you and treat you like a guinea pig. Fortunately, there's usually another outcast I can chill with.

Sorry for the sermon.

Answer 10

I'm not a mom but a home school student. I am in the 7th grade and this is my 1st year as a homeschooler. People that say "You need friends" are wrong, because every Friday I go to a CO-OP and I have tons of friends, still go to party's and chat on the phone. I have just decided to join a church group, which means more friends. As long as your kid(s) do there work they will not fall behind. Get them tested regularly, to see if they are doing good. Some curriculum's that I use are "Christan Liberty Press" and "A Beka" and others. Some people are happy with one curriculum, it's just how your child(ren) learn. I say go for it!!! Most people that are against home schooling don't know half the story!

Answer 11

I know quite a few people who were home schooled. Some of them aren't very social and some are very social; I think it's just a person's personality that makes them how they are. I was sent to  private and public schools and I'm extremely shy. So the social issues card shouldn't be an issue. Your child/children will have friends in their neighborhood and friends who are also home schooled. There are many home schooling programs that you can use that other parents around the country are using too. If one of your degrees is education, I think you have 'head up' from the other parents who decide to teach at home but dont have that degree.

Answer 12

Your Crazy was the first response I got from my in-laws as well as you can't do that its against the law! You have to put your kids in school! and other such nonsense. I laughed said I did it and you can't stop me. My sister- in-law went as far as calling social services only to be told that at long as I notified the state (I had the approval letter before I pulled them out) and I was actually teaching them there was nothing they could do. When I found that out I laughed!

What we did to start was was to visit www.hslda to get the specific laws for our state (doesn't hurt to join while your there). We borrowed my sisters 2nd grade curriculum from Sonlight and pulled them out!

The socialization word almost becomes a cuss word you hear it so much. We see question like that almost daily here and its the same answers every time. WE hear it so often I think some of answers come by rote. You have to remember that no matter where your kids are they are getting better socialization skills there than in a classroom. After all where in the real world are you going to be in a room full of people right around the same age you are? I have never had a job where everyone there was 29-30 have you? There is so much out there for kids too do anything from dance to football. Various volunteer jobs, home school groups, and co-ops. The list is as limited as your imagination.

As for why I home school it was a variety of reasons. the biggest reason is I can't afford private school and I want my kids to have a Christian education. another reason is my daughter was not understanding the basic principals in math she could barely subtract when I pulled her out (1/2 way through 2nd grade the second time) let alone add.  She was getting bullied and take it from someone who was bullied it doesn't make you stronger just less trusting in the adult around you who are supposed to protect you from that. I have issues to this day because of things kids said and did to me in elementary school. After my daughter was hit for the third time and the school did nothing about it that was the final straw. My kids were out. I didn't even go into what the preK teacher told me I needed to do with a child who had just turned 4 and has learning delays, speech delays, and is possibly a year behind maturity wise. My son was born with a lot of health problems was on ECMO for a while and the Dr told us that because he was on it for so long (10 days) that he may have some mental issues that wouldn't show until he was older. Well my now 5 yo has the maturity of what one would expect of a 4yo and the patience level of one as well. The teacher wanted him on ADD meds ASAP because he would go from one center to the next before they were allowed to change centers, he wouldn't sit still during story times and other little things that they were supposed to help him with but instead of help him her answer was to medicate. I brought him to the Dr and he said no way will I give meds to him at his age and maturity level. The reasons to home school are many and for a lot of us personal although we don't mind sharing them sometimes.

For us money is usually gone before it gets here so we don't let it become an issue!

Answer 13

I used to be one of the people that would think people were nuts for homeschooling.  Not now, I moved to an area where the standards of education are poor and there are no charter schools or any other school that I can transfer my children too.  I virtual school my children through K12 Virtual and it has been the smartest thing I have done this year.  

Pros - You help your children grow and learn.

They are not stuck at a desk all day.

They don't pick up bad habits from other children.

Cheaper clothing bill

Family and quality time with children.

Rewarding to see your children learn.

Cons- you never have a break from family life.

Your children treat you as a parent and give you attitude when giving assignments.

You have to keep up your household as well as taking on home schooling.

Worth it to me, and every day I think this is a good choice.  Build a support group so you are surrounded by other individuals doing the same thing you are doing.

It's okay to have bad days and your kids will forgive you.

Everything is a teaching moment.  Ignore everyone elses opinions, your children are your responsiblity and you have to do what is best for you.

Answer 14

Well im doing home school right now and im 12 years old, i think us kids choose to do home school because of a few reasons one could be the child is having emotional problems with the other kids in school and they feel they can do nothing about it. Or the child is having problems learning with all the other kids in class, or maybe they have very simple reasons like they just dont feel they like public school and want to try somthing new.  I went into home school cause of the drama and the disgust of other people towards eachother.  Well there is my sight of the situation, hope that helps =)

Answer 15

Consider joining an email list or message board concerning homeschooling for some more indepth conversations. In the meantime the next time someone makes some ridiculous claim about what your kids will be missing if they're homeschooled ask them for a list of books and sources they consulted to form that opinion.

These people simply don't know what they're talking about and you're under no obligation to inform them. If homeschooling were a true concern they'd put a little work into it and spend some time with Google or at the local library researching it.

Answer 16

I AM HOMESCHOOLED. god, everyone is a critic. you sound like my doctor. she says that i have "physcoloigcal issues" and  "there is no reason to escape from civilization"

Answer 17

I'm 15 and, along with my siblings, am home educated. Partly that is because of where we live (the closest primary school is a 4 hr drive away, the closest high school is 16hrs away). If I was to go to school, I'd have to go away to boarding school in the city and, although it's the same country, the attitudes, behaviours, culture etc are all very different down there - being home educated means I can grow up within my own culture. Other reasons why we're home educated include all the usual ones that other people have posted (better relationships, stronger relationships, more free time, less testing, less political interference, a more relevant education, parental responsibility, no govt interference etc etc). We're also educated at home because our parents don't believe in having kids and then leaving the Nanny (the State) to "bring up the brat!" (as my dad says! LOL!). He also reckons he's "not going to pay a mob of strangers $25,000 a year to teach me bad habits when he can do that himself for free, LOL!

Answer 18

The "you're crazy ..." response are from people who are too involved with there self. They are the ones who leave there kids unsupervised while they are at work, or hobbies.

The social aspect is b.s . With home school associations your kids can interact with others on a weekly basis. Not to mention if you attend church regularly. Then your kids interact with others there.

For your kids to have everything has nothing to do with how much money you make. How many kids of wealthy families do you know that are depressed, in trouble, bad attitudes? Your kids get more out of a loving family, who is willing to do what is best for them.  You can save money home schooling. No over priced school lunches. No child care. No uniforms or ridiculous fads.  No fundraisers. Don't need two new cars and the extra payment and higher insurance. Not as much spent on lunch or work clothes for you. Less doctors visits as your family will not be exposed to all the funk brought in from other kids.

We chose to home school because the education system has gone down hill drastically. We no longer have to worry about any social experiments or social engineering practiced in the public school. We can teach our kids creationism, un - edited history. We can practice our faith and teach it to our children.  We can teach our kids things like abstinence. Where the public school teaches protection and it's o.k. This has helped the STD rate to be the highest among 11 year olds.

The kids have a better education. They can learn faster and at a more advanced level than the public and private school. This is possible because you don't have the discipline problems at home that are exhibited at school. You are the teacher, If your child is having trouble, you are more inclined to make sure they understand. The class doesn't have to wait until the kids that have been pushed through, as opposed to passed their grade, catch up.

We have seen remarkable differences in attitude and behavior since home schooling. The standardized tests show home schoolers have higher scores. It has been well worth it.

Answer 19

Try these:

http://whyhomeschool.blogspot.com/2006/0...

http://guiltfreehomeschooling.org/blog/2...

http://eho.org/why_homeschool/default.as...

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/webl...

http://www.npr.org/programs/atc/features...

Answer 20

Home schooling is much more than academics alone, it's about our families, and the myth of needing two incomes is just that a "myth"; it depends on what you place your values on; material, or personal.

The time with our children, and the great relationships that are formed between parents, and siblings, as well as being able to raise them with our own values is PRICELESS.

Some other reasons:

Educational choice, as well as a choice in our educational philosophy (world view).

Individualized curriculum, and goals.

Freedom to choose the method, and content of the materials used in their education.

Positive social environments, to help develop, and shape their emotional development, attitudes, and habits.

Working at their own pace.

Learning is real, not test based; which is counter productive, and does not lead to mastery of any subject, or skill.

Foster their creativity, and allow them to follow their interests.

Freedom of expression, real academic freedom.

Early completion if they choose to do so.

Take college classes prior to graduation sometimes as early as age 15.

And so the list can go on; each family will have their own personal reasons for home schooling.

We simply do not believe that a conventional school is the best place for our children to receive a proper education, or a place where they will develop the right life skills.

When young people are grouped together by age and grade level, and have very little or no interaction, or do not work along side adults, how can they become what they need to be, capable, self confident adults?

Young people are very capable when given the chance; place your faith, and trust in them, not a school system; home schooling gives them that opportunity to make it on their own merits without limiting their choices.

So far we have found few if any con's, and our children range from pre-teen to their late twenties,  because we have seen the results, and they speak volumes.

Trust me material things come and go, but you only get one shot with your children.

If you really want to give your children everything; everything that matters that is, give them their mom, and dad, as well as all the time you can spend with them before they spread their wings.

One last thing, you do not need any degrees to homeschool your children, I have know many home school families who's parents barely, and some did not finish a traditional high school program, but their children have gone on to college, and did real well.

It is not the parents education level that determines success, but the parents dedication.