What are your opinions on home schooling?

Question

I have a four year old son who will be entering kindergarden next year and i am debating weather or not to homeschool him or to send him to a public school. I have heard that if you home school then when your kid graduates and leaves the house that they will have a rude awakining of what the world is really like and not what they thought it to be, I am afraid that he will be exposed to certain things if this happens...What should i do?

Answer 1

i wouldnt do homeschooling at that age. but i am definatley thinking to home school my kids during high school.

Answer 2

My opinion?

Don't do it, I hate it....

However I would never send him to school period if you're going to homeschool him, because that way he'll know what it's like....It all just depends, but I don't like it, and I don't recommend it....

He'll miss out on alot, weather he knows it or not....But if you feel that he would get a better education....Then go for it! But I can only speak from my view, because I'm apparently one of a kind, but homeschool has made my life really miserable, and screwed for alot of things....I really feel so left out of life, and so alone, I feel like when I get to college I'm not going to know how to have friends, because I don't have any now! And it's hard (I don't care what homeschool parents tell you) to make friends, because they really don't care becuase you NEVER see them, and they already have friends at school, and stuff, you're just some little speck they see at church (If you get involved) Ect....I'm sorry, but I'm not naive....God it's hard to get through life knowing no one gives a **** about you, and that you're alone, and see other people have friends, and hang out, and a life, and try to have it, but can't....

But again, that's just me....I have a different family, and life than other people so I can't speak for them....So it would probably be different for you, so it just depends on you, and your family....

=)

Answer 3

i would like to home school my kids too when i have them.  i feel like school just teaches kids how to think like everyone else and i want them to have a mind of their own.  as long as you keep him social and he has friends everything will be ok.

Answer 4

Homeschooling itself does not create kids who graduate and have a rude awakening of what the world is really like; PARENTING does that. Any child--homeschooled, public schooled, private schooled--can be coddled, over-protected or any number of things and they can have huge rude awakenings once they have to deal with life on their own.

In all cases, the ones who do well are the ones who have been properly prepared. Since this is an area of concern of yours, your homeschooling would simply include things that would help your son be independent by the time he graduates. I've met a number of homeschooled teens who have always been homeschooled and they are not naive and do understand what the world is like. They have been RAISED to be increasingly responsible for their lives. This has nothing to do with homeschooling, except that in homeschooling, you have the opportunity to give them even more chance at being responsible than if they were in school having their hours dictated to them.

My kids are only 7 and 10 and they have a reasonable understanding of what the world is really like. We go out on field trips and they see what other kids are like (there are often school groups where we are), there are discussions that follow up what they've observed, they have lessons (like swimming lessons) with public schooled kids and more. They are not unaware of the world. There is no "awakening" because they already see it. They just don't have to live some of the worst nonsense on a daily basis, most of which won't even be a part of their daily lives, or I hope won't be. We saw some relatives on the weekend and they mentioned some things about how nice it was to see that our dd wasn't all caught up in the iPods and cell phones and makeup and other stuff other girls her age (in school) are. The realization came out very clearly it's because she doesn't live that day in and day out. This was seen as a good thing. She knows iPods are out there and cell phones and makeup and she knows a lot of school girls are into all that and she just doesn't care. Sees no point to it. Except perhaps the iPod, but she knows that if she wants it that badly, she'll have to pay for it. She doesn't want it badly enough. ;)

If you are committed to your son, to giving him a great education, to being a great parent, to learning all you need to throughout the years to keep it really good (both in terms of schooling and parenting), then do it. There's no reason you can't provide them with a social life and everything else he needs.

Answer 5

I am homeschooled myself and so I think that it would be a great idea to homeschool your son. Not just because I am homeschooled but because he wouldnt be spending most of his day in a class room with kids that are very loud and will not  listen to the teacher just waiting for someone to teach him something. keeping him home would be the better choice because you could start teaching him at 9:00 and be done by noon most days.

Answer 6

There are many variables in what makes a successful educational experience.  Among those variables are the educational background of the parent(s), the motivation of the child and parents, and the child's access to other children.  It is not a one-size-fits-all experience.  I have seen kids come to school when it became obvious that they were not doing well at home, and they were so far behind that they were overwhelmed.  On the other hand, some children are quite successful.  

Here are some things to consider:

Are you (the parent) up to the task?  Do you have the patience?  Do you have the educational background, and the self-confidence to seek help outside your home if you cannot do some of it on your own?

You mentioned home-schooling until graduation.  Are you capable of teaching high school level math?  English?  Science?  Foreign Language?  Are you confident enough in your abilities as a teacher if your child decides to go to college?

Is your child responsive to you?  Will he do what you ask, or do you have to cajole him?  Are you strong enough to administer appropriate discipline when it is called for?  Some children are a little too comfortable at home and need an outside authority figure in order to settle down and take their work seriously.

Are you doing it for the right reasons?  Are you really out for the best interests of your child, or do you wish to hang onto him a little longer?  Don't misread this question; it is not meant to be judgmental.

We all hear about home-schooled children who win the National Spelling Bee, or who are prodigies who go to college at the age of 12.  Those are the exceptions.  Frankly, those same children would have probably thrived in a public school, and many public schools produce the same caliber of excellence.  

If it is the big bad world you are concerned about, you might want to consider a private school.  It can give you the safety and security you want, while at the same time provide teachers who are masters in their respective fields.  Your child will also gain exposure to many different people and learn to get along with them.  He can perform in plays, sing in the chorus, play sports, run for student council, and all kinds of valuable experiences that are more complicated to achieve (although not impossible) in a home-schooled setting.

Good luck with your decision.  As you know, it is an important one.

Answer 7

Homeschooling is great, if you are worried about a "rude awakening" I would like to tell you that it isn't likely to happen.  The only way your kid will grow up with no idea how the world works is if you never let him see the real world.

Think about it, don't you think you will let him work a part time job as a teenager?  

Don't you think he'll make friends in the neighborhood?

Don't you think he'll occasionally take classes at a co-op or community center and therefore have to deal with (gasp!) people?

The fact is, homeschooling does not shelter children from the "real world", it takes place in the real world.  Public school can shelter children inside the artificial world of the age segregated, politically correct speech only, classroom.

If you are still worried about that "rude awakening" you can certainly take steps to avoid it, make a point of teaching life skills, of exposing him to things.  

At any rate if he is in Kindergarten you can certainly start homeschooling him without worrying too much about his 18th birthday right now.  If you are still worried when he approaches High School, you could always send him to school later if you decide that's what best.  

Of course, I suspect if you start homeschooling you'll find that there is nothing to worry about... but right now I think you need to just look at it realistically, homeschooling now doesn't mean you HAVE to homeschool forever, the public school will be there when your child is a few years older, if you decide you need it.

So why not homeschool for now, and then as Junior High and High School approach, examine the situation and decide what to do for those years when they come.

Answer 8

well i am 13.... i am in 7th grade and if i was homeschooled i would be soooo mad at my parents why u ask... cuz

1. not to many friends

2. not knowing wat the world is like

but if u send ur child to a public school just watch him

Answer 9

He will not have a rude awakening after he graduates and leaves the house IF you let him go out from time to time. (smile)

Homeschoolers rarely stay indoors.   We are human beings and we enjoy doing.  We go to malls, church, join clubs, volunteer, go out with friends, take classes at the Y and community colleges, etc.

The only thing that we do differently in our home is that we learn without having the government tell us what we should learn, when we should learn and how we should learn.

I work in the public school so I don't buy into the myth that all public school students are social beings.   There are many in the public high school who are going to have a rude awakening of what the world is really like when they leave the confinement of the public school.

Answer 10

Socialization seems to be the big concern of everyone contemplating homeschool.  There are tons of homeschool "clubs" out there, where you and other parents can get your kids together for outings, parties, field trips, even homeschooler proms!  As for P.E., many Boys and Girls clubs as well as YMCAs offer both general and specific phys ed programs specifically for the homeschooled child.  

It is one dandy of a time commitment, though, to give your child the best benefits.   Don't be tempted to skip days just because it's convenient.  

I love knowing what my child is learning, and that she is able to learn at her own pace (whiz in math, slower reader) without the group pressures.   If it's right for your family, you're going to love it.

Answer 11

Homeschooling is nice for some people, but its not for everyone. If you can get your son involved with other kids out of the house then he should have no problem. A couple of advantages with homeschooling is you get to instill principles to your son while he has a lot of flexible and freedom to learn. Kids develope basically who they are at a young age. If you don't want the school to be shaping your son then its a good idea to homeschool if you can. This is especially true if you live around a bad school system.

Another option is to homeschool him until junior high or high school. As a former homeschooler I think it was a good idea that I started public school in junior high. Its harder to be in sports, and get exposed to all the extracurricular classes if your homeschooled too long. Plus I was a bump on the log at home and really needed some culture. However, I don't regret being homeschooled and know many homeschoolers who are very social. You just want to make sure your son gets out enough.

Answer 12

Wow there are a lot of misconceptions about homeschooling for those that don't do it. I am in California and they almost made me a criminal because I didn't have a teaching credential. It doesn't seem to matter that I have a Bachelors in Biological Science and I am working on a Masters degree.

Here in San Diego county they are laying off teachers, TB, and Meningitis, are going around through the school systems and go figure the government wants my kid to participate. We started homeschooling after they passed SB777 into law to indoctrinate my kids about tolerating perverted behavior.

My kid is happy, has good friends from school, dance class, and church and the only thing she is missing out on are all the unruly and undisciplined kids that make school miserable and the lame parents that want the school to do their jobs.

Answer 13

What is my opinion? Its the most depressing thing iv ever done, honestly. I left school at 14, big mistake, sure at the time i thought " wow, no school, this will be awesome" but in the long run its soo lonely.

Im now 18 and iv changed from someone who was polite, happy and sociable to someone whos so awkward, depressed and rude. Iv havent seen my friends in ages and that is what tears me up, socializing with people that make me happy. i spend all day in my room, trying to teach myself which is hard, trying to stay focus, motivated while being so isolated.

I wish i stayed in school. Its not fun, its lonely and depressing. After so long for being inside, im going to college later this year and im petrified. I havent been out much and as a 18 year old, im expected to be independent but im not, nor am i confident. thats all been shattered. I have to now build it all back up but that will take time.

When i do go to college, it will feel like freedom but it will be scary, im not use to doing things on my own or being out longer then maybe a week a year.

If you want my advice, keep him in school, you can teach him when hes home, but he needs that socializing to grow.

its not all bad tho, leaving school i met my boyfriend, so will a lot of bad, i got a lot of good out of it, but i dont advise home schooling, not unless you can see friends everyday and go out, but its homeschooling, that never happens.

Answer 14

its  a good decision if your children are small...but it would be better if they would to attend private or public schools...this way they will meet people who will help them with their problems.

Answer 15

wish i had it

Answer 16

Home schooling is not all it's cracked to be....if the child is

physically able to go to school...send him...he needs the

experience and contacts he gets from regular school...

the teachers are professionals who know how to get inside

the child's apptitude and get the teaching job done....You will both be better off in the long run.

Answer 17

Both. You let the teacher educate him at school and you educate him at home about what the real world is like. Then you wont have to worry about what he is exposed to because he would have been and learn best from the POWER of PARENTEACHING.

Answer 18

Let him go to real school. The only way that kids should be homeschooled is if:

a) They are bullied

b) They live in a place where the schools are dangerous

c) They have certain problems

This is my personal opinion. Especially if your child is 4, he needs a social life and social development.

Answer 19

I was homeschooled K-12 and I do not feel I missed out on anything.  Period.  Not socialization, not bullies, not drugs.  Not even prom.  (Although my homeschool group had one I could have gone to had I been inclined to attend.)  Homeschooling is different for every child and every family.  Even within my own family there are different feelings about homeschooling and all three of us kids were/are homeschooled.  Homeschooling gave me the freedom to learn at my own pace (I am great at English/History, not so great at Math), focus on violin (which is now my career), take college classes during high school, make friends from all walks of life and actually have time to spend with them, and more family time.  I will be the first to admit that I was raised in a very conservative household.  Conservative, religious, Christian fundamentalist, whatever you want to call it.  I did not have a rude awakening when I started college.  In fact, it was quite the opposite.  Because I had already been taking college classes at the community college, I knew what college was like more so than the public schoolers.  And as a homeschooler, I was out in the real world with my family everyday while the public schoolers were only let out of thier classroom once or twice a year for a heavily supervised field trip.  We were on the go so much that we often told people we schooled "on location", as in, wherever we went, we were learning.  Running errands, volunteering, the library, homeschool group activities, family field trips/vacations, co op classes, tutoring, classes at the community college, music/dance lessons, sports, play dates, study groups, homeschoolers have so many chances to socialize with other people that it takes an awfully dedicated parent to shelter their child well enough that they would have a rude awakening.  Also, do you have a tv?  Radio?  Internet?  Will you allow your child to use them?  If yes, then there will defintely not be a problem.  Homeschool with confidence and just remember it's up to you how your child turns out.  Good luck!

Answer 20

If your child is homeschooled chances are that he is spending more time out in the real world than in spending most of his waking hours in public school.  I don't see how that would be a "rude awakening" at 17/18.  

The only things that homeschooled kids aren't typically exposed to are the endless hours trapped in traditional school.  Because even though they take classes (and most do) they are not hour after hour, 5 days a week.  And when they go to college, not so much time is spent in class.  

Other than that, they live pretty much like anyone else.  Some do school at home, other's learn their own thing at their own pace.  There are plenty of field trips, parties, and dances, etc.  

I root 100% for unschooling.  It can take a leap of faith, but it is well worth it.

Good luck :D

Answer 21

Homeschooled kids are out in the real world..they know what it is really like.  Schoolkids, on the other hand, spend their days confined within the walls of classrooms.  Kids who go to school are the ones who have the rude awakening.

Don't let anyone tell you that homeschool kids sit around the house all day.

Answer 22

Are you going to teach him at home or lock in the attic? Homeschool provides opportunities for excellent social lives for you and your children. All you have to do is recognize them and act on them. I notice we have a couple of answerers here that say they are depressed teenagers who are missing out on everything. They blame homeschool. Well, go to your local high school and poll all the depressed students who feel left out, socially awkward and alone. You find far more there than you do on average among homeschoolers. As Homer Simpson says, "Depressing teenagers is like shooting fish in a barrel". It is all in the state of mind of the individual and whether or not they were encouraged or allowed to build their own circle of friends. I must also point out that many youth experience a rude awakening at graduation even when they are public or private schooled. I worked as an RA in a girl’s dorm and I met several popular high school graduates who were terrified of people of color, could not do a load of laundry, did not know how to say "No" to an unwanted sexual advance, balance a check book, not to drive drunk or how to care for a second degree burn from a Flaming Dr. Pepper. There were even those who did not know how to properly dispose of sanitary napkins, so they just left them on the floor. (I could not make that up!) They don't teach those things in school, you see. So, the real world was a rude awakening for them. Anti-homescoolers want you to believe you are not capable of preparing a child for life. They want you to defer to authority. Don't believe it. You can raise and teach healthy children without sending them off to school.