What are the benefits of Homeschooling?
446143
I don't believe it holds any benefits, except make parents more neurotic, being around their children all day.  And who decides whether the parents are competent enough to teach.  Do you need to have a teaching degree for this?\nKids will most certainly miss out on a lot of interaction with other children, which is very important.\nIf you want to give them a better education, send them to private school if you can afford it.
726909
Harvard accepts homeschooled kids each year. If you make your children's education and overall development your priority, then homeschooling will be great for them.\n\nHere's an article from 6 years ago: http://www.massnews.com/past_issues/2000/7_July/hschool.htm\n\nAnother article:\nhttp://www.thecrimson.harvard.edu/printerfriendly.aspx?ref=512786
140921
I think the advantages are \nA) You can spend more time with your kid. This means you bild a better bond with them.\nB) You know if they missbehaved at school.\nC) you know what their weekness is by heart.\nD) He/She is never behind or ahead.\n\nI think the Disadvantages are\nA) You wont get good text books.\nB) It will be good to have a school to name whene getting a job.\nC) Your child will get the education as he or she deserves.\nD) You can say "My kids on honer role!!!"\n\nyou may not want to listen to me... Im only 12...
880377
The benefits....growing together as a family and FREEDOM!  Those are the biggest benefits for me and my family.  The freedom to learn as we see fit, the freedom to learn and explore what we FEEL like learning and exploring, the freedom to spend all day at the beach regardless of whether or not we are some type of schoolish "vacation".  \n\nWho needs recess when you can go outside all day, swim in your pool, walk, run, go to the park, etc. for much longer than at school?  \n\nAs far as friends, home educated children make them in their neighborhoods, extra curricular activities, and groups.  \n\nAs far as team effort...um, a family  IS a team and how silly for anyone to try and say that school is the only place where "team" work happens, what a crock.   When siblings work on something together or a child works with their parent on something that IS team work, and when home educated children get with their friends and do projects or are on a sports team...that IS teamwork.\n\nSocially?  I love the socializing that happens via home education and that is another awesome benefit of home schooling.  You are not stuck in an artificial setting with 30 peers 5 days a week, ONLY in school settings does that happen.  Outside of school people of all ages intermingle and socialize and converse with one another, share their knowledge, etc.  Even in a stuffy ole office building you more than likely will not find people of all the same age working together.  You can meet interesting people in your community, at the library, stores, at the Bus Stop, volunteering, etc...so awesome.  The world is so much bigger than the classroom, and how many people do you "meet" in school anyway?  Unless there is a new child or you are a new student you've already made a decision as to who you are going to hang with.  That is why many home schoolers are seen as odd, it really isn't an issue, so they aren't used to the situation and it is new and uncomfortable, so what?  Most fit in after awhile, same as a small town boy/girl making the move to the big city...some only take a bit of time to adjust, some may take longer but eventually you begin to feel comfortable and fit in.  \n\nSetbacks?  They may not know how to raise their hand to ask how to go potty...oh, but that doesn't happen outside of school, except perhaps in the military.  Standing in line?  Nope, they do just fine, as many are accustomed to standing in line at the store, bank, movies, etc. with their parents.  Taking instructions from other adults?  Most home educated children I know do something outside of the home that requires taking directions from other adults so no, they are fine there too.\n\nIgnorant people making bias and rash judgements on a group of people who are different than them...that is the biggest setback.  Having to defend your reasons for home educating to a bunch of ignorant people making generalizations based on opinions only or perhaps a couple of bad run ins.\n\nSometimes we get under each others skin, but that is normal for most families.  Sometimes it is hard to think of new and fun things to do and be creative.    However, I certainly wouldn't call those setbacks.
681579
I agree, and the school issues you mention are one of many reasons I plan to homeschool.\n\nscary link.
1050072
I do homeschool my two children ages 9 and 6.  I wasnt homeschooled but my lil brother was.  He just graduated. Is extremely smart. Just started his first job, already paid for his truck in the 3mths he worked there.  Is going to Air Force next year.  \nI enjoy teaching my children, my son has reading problems that the public school couldnt help with. So I pulled them from public schools. We are able to slow down and read at his pace, no pressure atmosphere.  He excels in math, so instead of being bored with 3rd grade level math he is able to continue to 4th grade math, while still working in a 2-3rd grade reading level.  \nYou can spend more time with them working with their problems and encouraging them when they need it most.  Most teachers are so busy with 30 kids they cant help the one that needs it most.\nMy daughter is already doing 1st grade work well.  She doesnt do well with math, but loves to read, so we work with her, not pressuring her to be up to par with other kids her age.  \nAnd no TAKS test pressure, that was all they were teaching them in 3rd grade public school.  Pushing them to pass this test, when it doesnt matter if you pass the test if your failing your regular grades.  Think they have their priorities backwards. \nMy kids do hands on science experiements, grow their own little garden, learn how to use the computer, get exercise, eat whenever they are hungry, go to the bathroom when they need to without having to wait for permission from a busy teacher.\nThey are allowed to ask questions and search for the answers till they are satisfied. They pick out books based on their interests in the library and we read them together and alone.  \nI personally love being with my kids, and I love seeing them read for the first time, learn new spelling words,  get excited and jump for joy when their volcano actually spews. We have learned alot from each other and will learn more each day. \nAs for social skills, I actually prefer that my kids dont talk back, dont cuss, dont call others stupid, dont get called stupid, and  dont get told to shut up.\nThe kids I've watched on the local school play ground are cussing, pushing, rude, biting, hitting, and talk back to adults.    If this is what they learn in public school, I think I can do without .
995149
Homeschooling is becoming more and more popular every year, as the condition of the public school system declines. Here's my reasons for homeschooling. \n1. One on one attention for EACH child, so I can focus on how they learn, what style works best for them, and where their weaknesses are. In public school, it's a one-size-fits-all mentality in regards to a teaching style. If you don't get it, you're left behind, or are spending many hours on top of the 7-8 hours of school every day. Who has time for socializing that way? Oh, yah, they do it when they're supposed to be listening in class.\n2. Public school is all about testing to see where you rate as compared to your peers. Homeschooling is all about what you are retaining, not how well you test. A lot of kids know the material, but freeze up during testing, like I did. So, test results do not really define where our kids stand anyway, so why do them? I would rather spend three weeks on one topic if necessary, to make sure they really LEARN it, then move on to the next step.\n3. Homeschooled children have MORE opportunity to learn about the world around them, because the typical day only requires about three hours of schooling a day, the rest of the day is theirs. That leaves more time for play, field trips and extra-curricular activities. Opportunities are endless, they can go visit a nursing home if desired to learn about nursing or the elderly if they don't have grandparents, and they could even volunteer to visit with them,depending on age, and this is social studies. A museum trip can be science or history, and it's hands-on, not reading from a book which is boring. Going to a skating rink is P.E., and FUN, especially when you know other kids are in school at that moment! Going to a bakery, and learning cake decorating. You'd be surprised, when it's only one or two kids, who is willing to give a demonstration. All of these are social interactions, especially if you give the kids the job of paying for the admissions. Sports, there's socialization for the skeptics.\n4. I want to know my kids for more than a few hours a day. I want to know their likes, their dislikes, I want to talk to them about the world, and our perspectives on it. I want to PLAY with my kids for as long as they will let me, and not be hindered by a time schedule. I also want to know my kids' friends. I'm not the type of parent to turn my CHILD lose into the world with a sink-or-swim mentality, that is just stupid. They need to LEARN how to interact with the world around them, not be forced to figure it out on their own.\n5. It's my JOB, that's why God gave me my children, was to raise them, not to let the govnt. and their ideas of what they should be learning raise them.  And I take this responsibility seriously. It may not be for everyone, but it is the right fit for my family.
795684
Corey,\n\nI was homeschooled until age 14.  If your mother wants to teach you, make sure she has a teaching degree.  If not, tell her she isn't qualified to teach.  I stopped homeschooling when I was 14 because my parents couldn't teach me anything else.\n\nYou might graduate faster.  I started going to college and working part time when I was 16.  The biggest draw back is that homeschooling causes you to accelerate in education, but hinders your social skills.  Everyone of the people who tell you that they have been through homeschool and loved it are what I like to call "social retards".  They may be book smart, but ask them how many friends they have and you'll start to realize my point.\n\nThere is more to schooling than education.  It is a time in your life where you need to learn how to interact with people your own age and develop social skills that you will need the rest of your life.  Imagine graduating early and starting college young.  How many friends do you think you'll make when you look like you should still be in highschool?  How will you deal with a classroom full of people that you don't know?\n\nI mean this in all seriousness: based on your spelling and sentence structure, I think you need to go somewhere with qualified teachers to help you learn.  If you are smart, you can still graduate early.  There are advanced classes for people who do well.  You'll also get to experience things like school dances, sports, trading lunches, skipping class, getting sent to the principle's office and most importantly, making friends with kids your own age.  Go to public school.  Trust me.
295750
I have homeschooled for years now.  I hear from my old fart neighbor "When are you going to let them go back to school?"  Ugh.  It never ends.  I just don't broadcast it to the locals because THEY choose to be close minded and to not educate themselves about hsing.  Consider this 'comeback' as it's my best one:  My son gets a one-on-one education.  It's better than a private tutor.  He is fully socialized as he can go to church, soccer, chess club, library groups, the local rec center programs, 4H and scouts."  Folks that flip out and bring up socialization usually just grab that word because everyone that knows little about it uses it.  Good luck and you can email me for any help you need.
1036635
I'm for it.  My sister and brother-in-law homeschooled their two boys from kindergarten through high school graduation.  Both boys went on to college, and both have now graduated.\n\nI also have a lot of friends who have been (or are now) homeschoolers.  Those who have gone on to college have done extremely well.
824880
hey, im homeschooled!
506960
Wow, what a variety of answers.  If this is something you are considering, you really need to make the decision yourself, based on what's important to you.  We chose to homeschool because we were not satisfied with the education my son was getting in the public school.  Since we started homeschooling, he has really excelled in some subjects (math, in particular) and has just been average in others.\n\nAs for socialization and the 'real world', can you name me one other place where people are segregated by age besides school?  The real world is dealing with people of different races, cultures, ages, beliefs - take a look around any office.  My kids are exposed to all these and more and are perfectly able to handle themselves in most any situation.  I have not locked them in a closet!  Our house is usually bursting at the seams on weekends with kids from the neighborhood.\n\nAs for teaching them only my strong subjects, we are fortunate enough to live in a fairly large city and I have sent my older son to a homeschool co-op for Latin (I know nothing about it) and he took private violin lessons.  I'm not big on art (as in painting, sculpture, etc.), so I'm not really introducing these things to my kids, other than through art appreciation.  So what if one of my children is supposed to be the next Rembrandt.  Maybe the next Rembrandt is sitting in an African village somewhere starving to death?  If it's not something that interests them, why should I force it on them, even if they are gifted in that area?  I'd rather they be average at something they love and enjoy, than famous for something they hate.\n\nSorry if I seem to be ranting here.  I just get tired of hearing the same old arguments from well-meaning, but un-informed people.\n\nIf you choose to homeschool, I wish you the best of luck.  It's certainly not for everyone, but if you decide it's for you, you will NOT regret the choice.
278934
I homeschool my two boys and the lady I sit for pays me extra to hs her dd for preschool.  I HIGHLY recommend you hs if you have the will and the ability.  Two big things to remember with hsing at ANY level is: one day at a time...you're not talking about geometry and calculus yet.  Second...it's not forever unless you want it to be.  She can re-enter public school when she is ready.  You can email me, I started hsing my now 4th grader when he was in K.  He has TONS of confidence, he gets ONE  ON ONE education, I teach him the way he learns best, rather than plunking him down in a group of 30 kids and droning on at a chalk board...I use manipulatives, pc programs, games, baking to learn fractions, printouts from sites like enchantedlearning.com etc etc.  When he needs a break, he gets one.  We hs year round, so he doesn't forget half over the summer, but our hs days are short.  He learns things he WANTS to learn about.  When he showed an interest in pirates, we got books from the library, coloring pages from the internet, we built a ship, made our own course on a map, created a flag, etc etc.  HSing is the BEST at your dd's age, because you can take ALL the pressure off of her, and teach to what she needs, one thing at a time if you like.  If she is currently crying over math, take a break from the usual math stuff, and play dice games instead!  Just because it's fun, doesn't mean you can't use it for school.  Think outside the box, teach her fast math skills by having her play games!  Teach her spelling by only drilling in the car, and make it fun!  See what I mean?  And don't let the folks that know NOTHING about hs except for the freaks they find on tv worry you about socialization.  There are hs groups in your area to help.  There are groups online.  There are church groups and public sports and music lessons and play groups for socialization.
1075873
I never thought I would be advising someone to KEEP their child in school, but I might make the exeption here. If you want to homeschool to give your child a better education, then go for it! But, if your only reason is because the teacher is young, that's not going to work. Homeschooling takes EXTREME dedication to your child, lots of work on your part, it takes patience, and persistence. You have to be willing to do whatever is necessary to learn what you need to teach and how to do it. You have to enjoy your children enough to have them with you 24/7! You have to be willing to taxi them to the different opportunities for social engagement like sports or dance classes, whatever. A lot of homeschooling is done outside the home, in the form of educational outings, where they learn hands-on about the world around them and social engagement with ALL age groups, not just their peers. All of this is GREAT for them, but it's a sacrifice on your part, and you have to be willing to do it. See, it's not just a simple decision to be based on the fact that a teacher is young, that really has no bearing on anything. Plus, you have to take into account how your child is going to react. It's a lot harder to pull a child out of school then it is to have never put them in in the first place, this can cause resentment and I don't feel it should be done unless the parent feels it's necessary, and feels that the fight is worth it in exchange for the better education. Good luck to you, but I suggest you think about it some more, do some research, get to know the teacher and see if you still feel he/she is not adequate as a teacher, then go to the principal if you still have concerns. If the principal is unwilling to help, then go to the school board. Try some other options first, because it's not an easy job. It's a very rewarding job, and most beneficial to the child, but it is a sacrifice.
743255
I think that homeschooling overly shelters a child and they lose the experience of going to a normal school and meeting people from different backgrounds, races, and cultures.  It also keeps them from understanding what life is really like, what the real world is.  If they are kept at home all day and only schooled by their parents, they aren't getting the full taste of life at school and how things are done in the real world.  They don't get to sit in class with other people and walk through the halls with your friends and eating lunch and having recess with peers.  Homeschool may give a more tailored education, but its still keeps a child isolated from the world.  The child will be with their parents almost every second of the day.  They don't get any thing else.  \n\nPeople who homeschool their child usually think that public and even private, catholic or any school is a bad influence on a child and gives them bad thoughts and ideas.  They usually sterotype the schools with everything you hear on the news about kids doing drugs and getting pregnant and stuff like that because of stuff they picked up at school.  The news refuses to report the good stuff that happens at schools.  \n\nI am a product of a public school system.  I have met people from many different races, backgrounds, cultures, and from all over my city.  I am also a high honor student and have recieved a very good education.  I don't do drugs, smoke, or drink either.  I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything.  \n\n\nRuby Red Rose\n@>-'-,--
967362
8) Most my social interaction came from the classes I took on a public school campus. I even found some great Christian friends who lived really close. One of them is over at my house almost every day (or vice versa)\n\n10) When I was in 6th grade my mom sent me to a public school for elective courses. The school was very accepting me and I even found a couple of other people who were homeschool there too.\n\n11) I loved the proximity to home. Every year my mom would ask me if I still wanted to be homeschooled and every year I said yes.\n\n12) I never had a lot of friends my age till I started taking classes on a public campus.\n\n13) No. I had a very well rounded education, that went along with the public's but even went into our religious aspect of it. \n\n13) Most places these days are very accepting to homeschoolers. It's even said that homeschoolers have a higher education.\n\n14) Definitely. But, like my mom, I might send them to a public campus for just a couple of classes.\n\n15) Washington.
733602
Keep in mind that soon you will be an adult and out on your own.  Your homeschooling will shine through and you will have a great life!!