Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

Part of the decision to live the homeschooling lifestyle should include weighing the pros and cons of homeschooling. After all, homeschooling isn't for everyone.

For us, the pros and cons of homeschooling were way out balanced by the pros...but you have to decide for yourself and your family.

Pros

Educational Freedom. Most homeschooled students have the choice to study and learn what they want, when they want, for as long as they want. This is not to say that all the basics (and more!) aren't covered. But you may cover those basics at age six for one child, and at age ten for another, depending on ability, maturity, and interest levels. (Unfortunately, a few states do have unnecessarily restrictive legal requirements; in those states, educational freedom may be limited.)

You have such a wide range of learning - You are not stuck to a pre-set curriculum in most cases. There are so many cool things to study - Latin, Spanish, how to garden, quilting, sewing, art, music, microscopes...well, the list is endless. Every year you will find new things to learn, see, and do.

Physical Freedom. After the initial shock of leaving the school system has passed, you may experience a real sense of freedom. With your lives no longer revolving around school hours, homework, and the school calendar, your family can plan off-season vacations, visit parks and museums during the week, and live your lives according to what works for you- your OWN adventure!

Emotional Freedom. Sadly, peer pressure, competition, boredom, and bullies — are all part of a typical school day. Homeschooled kids can dress and act and think the way they want, without fear of ridicule or a need to "fit in." They live in the real world, where lives aren't dictated by adolescent trends and dangerous experimentation.

Religious Freedom. Many families feel their religious and spiritual beliefs are an important part of their adventure. Homeschooling provides the opportunity for parents to incorporate their beliefs into their daily lives: not just teaching them, but LIVING them.

Closer Family Relationships. Knowing your kids - I list this because I consider it one of, if not the biggest, prize of homeschooling. While there are times every day I would gladly hide in my room, overall I so enjoy my time with my kids. In teaching them, I really get to know them in ways I did not before. I not only love my kids, I being around them.

Just about every family can relate to needing to strengthen the loving ties between all family members. Teens seem to benefit enormously from this interaction, and rebellious, destructive behavior often begins to diminish soon after homeschooling begins.

Stability During Difficult Times. There are bumps in any journey and adventure! Whether there's a new baby, an illness, a death in the family, or another obstacle or transition, homeschooling helps families cope during challenging periods. It's a constant in the storm of life.

Well-Rested Kids. AHH!! A schedule that works - Are your children early birds? Do you find your peak time of day starting at noon? It can all work in homeschooling. Homeschooling works with your family. Personally, my children love knowing that they are eating breakfast while most of their friends are already in class.

As more and more studies are illustrating, sleep is vital to the emotional and physical well-being of kids, especially teens and preteens. The effects of early morning classes can be devastating to many children, especially those who are not morning people.

No Busywork. Homeschooled children can accomplish in a few hours what takes a typical classroom a week or more to cover. When you have 26-30 students to assist, some of them inevitably will have to be kept busy with something-busywork! Extra activity sheets and/or assignments that will reinforce what has already been taught. Great IF your student NEEDS them but ohhh so boring if he/she doesn't! And if they don't get the busywork done-homework! And that brings us to a major "pro" of homeschooling: No more homework!

Flexibility. Flexibility - You can take a family vacation in November, a month off in December, a week off when you all have the flu. Homeschooling is flexible. We had no plans to study alpacas, but after watching one being born one day, we starting researching alpacas. While we may not have our own herd, we will know that they live in herds! ....And study geography, husbandry, and finance in the process of having fun! Flexibility!

Cons

Time Restraints. Homeschooling can be a full-time job unto itself. It takes research, preparation (how depends on your homeschooling style and curriculum), time to set up, clean up, organization, and of course, teaching itself. This is a lot to do on top of other work, be that a job outside the home, or all that goes with running a family.

Financial Restraints. For married parents, one partner often foregoes full-time employment out of the home in order to homeschool. This can be a big sacrifice for families who are struggling to balance their budget. Surprisingly, most homeschooling families believe that the brief loss of income is well worth the satisfaction of watching their kids grow and learn in freedom.

While the standard public education is "free" there may be hidden costs that are not monetary in nature. Look at the emotional price, educational price, etc.

Yes, it may cost you an average $400 per year per child per year, but WOW! look at the long term investment payoff! Remember, it's the journey not the destination!

All that housework! It is hard to keep up with routine chores when much of the week is devoted to school. Think of homeschooling as a full-time job, and organize the rest of your life accordingly. A weekly plan goes a long way to keeping chaos at bay!

Socialization concerns.THE QUESTION. Yes, the question of socialization. While this by it's nature is often viewed as a con, lets take a closer look at what is really being asked here.We have covered the socialization issue in depth here.

Being with Your Kids 24/7 Parents and kids have to learn to accept each other as they are, and to get along with each other so well that they can live together peacefully.

Homeschooling parents give a lot of themselves. It's very easy to spend every waking moment dealing with homeschooling “stuff” and kid “stuff” One thing that often takes a back seat is making time for yourself. It takes a lot of energy to homeschool, and that energy has to come from somewhere. Make sure you make time for yourself, every week, be that going out with a friend or a solo dinner in your room with a good book.

Living Outside the Box Homeschoolers have to pave their own way. Even if there is support and resources available, ultimately, homeschoolers have to shovel most of their own snow. In other words - homeschoolers have to be independent and willing to put in the footwork.

Homeschoolers have to stand up, alone, and do what they have to do even though others around them are doing something different. Homeschoolers have to be OK with not conforming, and know themselves well enough to be able to walk into a situation and know they are the only ones there who homeschool, and will probably be questioned, talked about or even confronted.

Pressure We all do it. We look at what others are doing, compare ourselves, and usually find ourselves short. Whether it is the public school, private school, your homeschooling friends - do not compare! This is YOUR adventure! Everyone has their own unique styles and way of schooling their children. Find what works, and proceed confidently.

Limited Team Sports Commitment Homeschooling requires dedication - but not to workbooks and curriculum. Homeschooling can involved these things, but the dedication has to be towards being a good person, being open minded, and to being involved with the family. It also requires parents to be dedicated to understanding their children.

And finally,

The biggest benefit of homeschooling is also the biggest con of all - freedom.