Pros And Cons Of Homeschooling

[Amilaheart]

As a homeschooler, I complain about it A LOT. But it really isn't fair that I just talk bad about it.... I mean, there ARE a lot of good points.

Here are the pros and con's of homeschooling

(Note: This is based on my experience with homeschooling. Not all homeschooling rules are the same)

Pros:

1. Sleeping in

Now, I don't get to sleep until ten everyday. However, I do get to sleep in until around 8, which is about an hour-hour and a half more sleep then the public middle schoolers around almost all the places I've lived (and we've lived in a lot of different places)

2. Curriculum

In homeschooling, I can help choose my school each year. I won't decide in the end, but my mom usually incorporates what I wanted.

3. Bullies

There aren't really any bullies, unless you count your siblings. (Who can act like that a lot -_-)

4. Music

I almost ALWAYS have some form of music on as I do my school.

5. Friends houses

Now, I don't get to go a lot (I'll cover that in cons), but when I do go to my friends, I can go during school hours. I can even sleep over there on school days and still stay up late. I don't have to worry about school that day (usually)

6. Snacks

I can eat during math or whatever :)

7. Christ

We're Christian, so in homeschooling, we can teach things more centered around him (Such as, still teaching evolution, but as a unproved theory (With evidence why it isn't proved or whatever) instead as an accepted fact)

And now the cons:

1. Social life

This one is probably the worst. I rarely see my friends.

2. Family

Imagine being with your family (siblings and parent(s) ) 24/7

3. Chores

Imagine having to take a break every hour to clean whatever

4. Detention

It can be a lot worse then public school punishments, considering she is your teacher AND parent at home

5. Snow days

We never get them (unless my sister wants to go sledding, in which case I end up staying home.... Doing school)

6. Summer

I've never had a summer vacation (we have three or four days off a month. However, I'm usually watching my siblings the whole time, and those count as summer. [Because, sadly, if I didn't I would be behind])

7. Sick days

"Oh, you can concentrate on your phone? Then you can do math!" No.... Just no

8. Freedom

We get a lot less.... At least to me

So, here are some myths of homeschooling

1. PJs

At least of me. We have to get up, and get dressed.

2. Uneducated freaks

No. Just no. I'm doing pretty good in school. So are my siblings.

(I know I missed a lot of myths.. If you think of some write them in the comments?)

That's it.

(BTW, this is my first myTake so...)

[redeyemindtricks]

Whose decision was this, ultimately? And WHY are you home-schooled?

The only home-schooled kids I've met were American kids in other countries. They were expats who couldn't afford the tuition at the American schools (for instance, the American schools in Japan cost something like $35-40k per student per year -- even for kindergarten). So, homeschooling was basically a necessary evil, in a financial sense.
Also, those families usually had one breadwinner whose employer had moved him (almost always "him") overseas... and the other spouse had SRSLY NOTHING TO DO ALL DAY, in a country where no one spoke her (usually "her") language. So, homeschooling at least gave her SOMETHING TO DO all friggin' week, until the weekend where the isolated parents could make the 2-hour trip to the local Baptist church.

The biggest problems I've seen with homeschooled kids have come in the form of... adapting to the larger world of other people. I mean, even if the family is the coolest people on earth, there's just nothing like being surrounded by a diversity of others, and just learning to deal with people and their shit on a day-by-day basis.
Do you feel like you get yr share of that?
Do you have activities, or sports, or something, with other kids out there in the real world?
Does the internet provide at least *some* of that kind of interaction that you might be missing?

(It's not just homeschooled kids -- I see the same thing with small-town people when they move to places like LA, NY, or, hell, even Dallas or Houston, lol. They're just overwhelmed by day-to-day stuff that my kids and I wouldn't even bat an eye at.)

__

But, yeah, that was sort of rambling... Back to the original questions:
• Whose decision?
• Why?

I'm always curious when people decide to homeschool in situations where it's not an obvious necessity (as it is in the case of the expat kids mentioned above).

Also, I SWEAR I'm gna teach you to read fucking graphs and charts, lol. It is going to happen.

[Amilaheart]

My mom's
Because she doesn't like the environment of public schools. Plus, through homeschooling we can have it Christ based.

Lol. I'm going to learn them soon, they just haven't been covered yet in my math (complicated ones I mean lol)

[redeyemindtricks]

What about subjects where yr parents don't have the relevant expertise?

Like, are they competent enough at math and science, to teach it all the way through the high-school curriculum? And what about stuff like foreign languages?

Do you guys bring in anyone to help teach specialist subjects, or are yr parents running the show in every subject?

[Amilaheart]

Actually, 3/5 of my work is on the Computer... with pre recorded videos by actual teachers.

(My dad is kinda out of the picture) my mom doesn't have a degree, but she did a very good job with my older brother, and she is doing really well with me so far

[Amilaheart]

And I'm learning Japanese at the moment

[redeyemindtricks]

Do you belong to a community of other homeschoolers?

Do y'all have any test preparation (for the SAT/ACT/etc)? You planning to go to college?

If there's ONE thing you think you might be missing out on, as a homeschooler -- just one thing -- what would that be?
I was kind of surprised that yr "cons" were mostly stuff that annoyed you. I figured you'd write more about stuff you thought you were missing out on.

[Amilaheart]

Yeah

I think so

I am planning on going to college

The main thing I Feel I'm missing out on is social stuff. Homeschoolers do get into collage, and all that stuff

[FallOutBoy2001]

You want me to answer those questions as well? I'm two years older so I have a bit more experience

[Amilaheart]

@FallOutBoy2001 sure?

[FallOutBoy2001]

It was originally my mom's, because she didn't like the environment at the local school, and seeing the shit that goes on there, as well as the advanced work I'm doing, I've descided to stay home. She said I could go to school whenever I wanted to but I haven't yet.

[FallOutBoy2001]

If my parents can't teach a subject, I'll usually take it online or I'll go to a local co-op. Taking physics there, took chemistry last year, the teacher is a blast. I also take Spanish with a teacher I've had since preschool.

I don't really belong to a community of them here, we just occasionally get together and learn stuff, as well as some of the high-schoolers and I doing Model UN last year.

I'm studying for the AP US History test (taking that in 18 days) and the SAT Bio subject test. I took the SAT in 7th to get into a program (it was kinda boring, tbh) and when I take it as a junior, I should get a mich better score, so what would have been equivalent to over a 2000, possibly over 2100 on the old exam. My top colleges are Dartmouth and Johns Hopkins.

I think I miss out on the pressure to do drugs and alcohol. A lot of people in my town drink and do drugs at 15 or 16, and I have no interest in trying them.

[DianeDuffus]

I was homeschooled and had Christ in my life too. He was a terrible laptop when we took chemistry, theoretical yield was greater than hundred and 50% of our actual yield. And he cheated off of me on tests. When he found out I was Jewish and premed he freaked lol I will go along with homeschooling up until the seventh grade but after that, even at such a low grade as a homeschooling lacks a teacher with the appropriate level of, I'll call it conceptual expertise that is required for the sciences

[Massageman]

There are now so many sources of curriculums available for homeschooling that this is really a non-issue. Being willing to plan the schedule is the hardest thing now, and there are even apps to do THAT!

[Massageman]

Thank you.

[RationalMale]

I was homeschooled literally K-12. And I would not recommend it. There are pro's, that you listed, but I feel the con's outweigh it.

1. There was no calm teacher, no leaving school and going home. When my mom got upset about school performance, it was mom getting upset. It hurt the relationship.

2. Slacking. We were slackers, and because there was no classroom, tests were pushed back, etc. I had no summer vacation most years.

3. Social interactions. Yeah, there's a lot of bad in middle school, high school. A lot of temptations. I think, better to deal with small temptations. Better to stumble and fall as a 13 year old talking to a crush, than as a 17 year old who has no clue what's going on.

[Spiorad_Aisce]

Homeschooling is not a big thing in Ireland so this is an interesting take - As you point out there are pros and cons - A definite pro is one on one or small group attention and of course freedom from certain things the most obvious is if you have the misfortune to be a victim of bullying - A con I would be considering is a homeschooler if they stay at home for full time goes to 17/18 in a relatively sheltered environment then all of a sudden as to go to college or start work (could be a big jump).
I will come down absolutely in the middle in this - I suppose for me the best way to think is if I had kids, I can think of reasons to homeschool and not to homeschool but neither is overriding.
Good take for your first one.

[Amilaheart]

thanks. And tbh, we aren't that sheltered. When we used to go to this one homeschooling group (it shut down a while ago) there were A LOT of people.

Plus, we go to other things like that (when we can)

[Spiorad_Aisce]

Good points

[Amilaheart]

Thanks

[ManOnFire]

I was a homeschooler growing up too and loved it. I started out in elementary school but my mom took me out at 3rd grade because of all the bullying and the teachers really not teaching well. People tend to think homeschoolers are socially awkward or don't know how to speak to people which is very false. We are often smarter than public schoolers and have more intellect in our ability to speak. Definitely a myth that we hand around the house in our PJs every day, totally wrong.

I plan on homeschooling my kids too. I don't want them exposed to all the bad, unruly kids and clique-dom.

[FallOutBoy2001]

I've been home schooled since 1st grade

The social life I have is quite healthy, I get to see my friends a lot of the time (plus I swim, so I see everyone there) and I have a boyfriend, so it's not like I'm a recluse (Yes, I get told "oh, it's nice you get out. Do you have friends?" and my response is usually "what do you think we do? lock me up in a cupboard and not let me come out until I finish working?")

Honestly the hardest part is trying to hide things. It's pretty hard to hide things, especially things like sexuality or gender identity, from your parents if they're around 24/7. Being bisexual isn't the easiest under normal circumstances, let alone where you have to make sure 24/7 that nothing slips

[sp33d]

An unproved theory is called conjecture, hence you still accept it as fact.

The potential problems I see with homeschooling:
1) You say you get to listen to music any time you want.
Well, imagine finally getting a job and then your environment changes, lo and behold, you can't listen to music anymore when you're working.
I'm definitely exaggerating, but take care not to get too comfortable. Complacency is not far off.
2) Custom curriculum.
Depends on you, I guess, but one purpose of school is to teach the student to bear with stress. If your custom programme is too loose and relaxed, you might be in for a cultural shock when you take up a job.
3) You are cut off and yes I know, you can still go around town with parents, shopping and occasionally meet with people, but it's not the same.

Now I did say "potential" problems, I hope these are not any of your problems.

[Amilaheart]

1 and 2 aren't (music is just a preference, and the custom curriculum, while it does help students understand better, that doesn't mean its easy.)

Although, I do wish I had more of a social life

[farscryer0]

I plan on having my future child home-schooled until 14-15 years old. Then, I plan on them going to high-school.

The idea is that they get the grounding they need and once they're teens, they can develop real social skills, without either influencing the other overmuch.

[funny_strange_man]

You want them home schooled k-8 grade and then public school 9-12. You actually think 14 year old 15 year old is a good time to start learning how to socialize with others? What about during their childhood? School is the main place where kids make friends.

[farscryer0]

@funny_strange_man You assume incorrectly that one cannot have children play in scholastic teams, athletic or otherwise, if they are home-schooled.

I am a graduate of 2005, and my football team had no less then 8 "homers" on the team throughout the four years leading up to that date..

[farscryer0]

Also, no one goes to school to make friends. They spend the time before classes start, the time in between, and the time after school making friends.

Home-schooling from K-8 sets the foundation for learning while leaving more than enough time on the side for kid-to-kid interaction. The semesters aren't 24/7, lol!

[OrangeBoy]

Why do you choose that method?

[Psi_Unknown]

Those are good points, saving an hour/half hour everyday can add up. Who wants to ride the bus for 45 minutes a day, every schoolday? I agree about socialization being a con. Here's one that could a pro or con: How much your parents know or can teach. You can learn to do things independently if they are unable to help with specific problems, but also, you may not be able to find an answer!

[Amilaheart]

My Mom is a pretty good teacher on most things. Luckily, there are YouTube walkthroughs for things she can't ;)

[ThatBritishLad]

Same issues as girls and boys only schools. There was a friend of mine who went to Wallington Grammar School for a while, which was boys only. They had absolutely no idea how to act around the other gender - we're talking seeing them as an alien species. Really bothered him, that's for sure. No doubt it goes the other way too.

[Cody3180]

I think I would still pick public school 😂
I don't know if I could put up with my siblings all day, school in kind of an escape

[Amilaheart]

I never said in there which I would pick lol. (Same)

[Cody3180]

Yeah haha, I don't know how you put up with them lol. And then I'm sure it you're fighting with your mom or something it's like hell 😂

[Amilaheart]

Yeah lol... Although I'd assume hell is a lot worse XD

[Cody3180]

You haven't seen my mom when she's angry 😂

[Amilaheart]

You haven't seen mine XD

[Cody3180]

Can she be pretty mean? Lol judging by you I would have guessed she's a sweetheart

[Amilaheart]

She is, unless I disobey XD

[Amilaheart]

(I mean she isn't mean)

[Cody3180]

I know haha she just gets frustrated haha. The worse is then you have to be with her for school and can't leave

[Amilaheart]

Yeah lol

[minnesotakate14]

I totally feel your pain. I'm also homeschooled and the worst part is I have no social life ever. The most social life I get is on here actually. 😔 It's ridiculous honestly. Lol

[Amilaheart]

Same :/ for once I got to audition for a play today, but of course I knew no one there and sat in the waiting room alone while other people talked with their friends :/

[minnesotakate14]

I've done that. I know it look pathetic, but every time I go up to someone they blow me off at one of those things

[Amilaheart]

Its not pathetic.

Ugh, and when I see groups of people my age in my neighborhood playing ball or something, I've started to just go home instead of try to hang out with them because I always feel like the outcast because I don't know who the heck they are talking about... One guy even told me I would be cool if I went to public school -_-

[minnesotakate14]

Wow that guy was rude. And that's what I do. I see plenty of teens in my neighborhood or somewhere but I just walk on by.
I'm so sorry you have to go through that too.

[Amilaheart]

Eh, he was half joking (but half not)

I'm sorry for you too :(

[minnesotakate14]

Yeah. I see everyone with lots of friends and I always feel bad because I don't know anyone still

[Amilaheart]

Yeah... I know it sounds dumb but I usually end up crying every night, especially when I hear people outside laughing

[minnesotakate14]

Awe. I've gone through that. It's the worst in the summer, then you see everyone with their friends and hear them

[Amilaheart]

Yeah. I have 5 close friends (1 guy and 4 girls) but I hardly ever see them. I text three of them,
But the rest I can't

[John_Doesnt]

You just listed the biggest problem with homeschooling on #7: no scientifically guided curriculum. If everyone were home schooled then those who believed the holocaust didn't happen would be growing in number instead of dwindling.
I know that public schools suck in America, but we at least have scientifically guided curriculum.

[Amilaheart]

By Christ centered, it means evolution as a theory, reading books have Christ in them, etc. It doesn't mean no science

[John_Doesnt]

As a "theory" proves you have no idea what theory means in a scientific setting. It doesn't mean guess, it means it's been supported by tons of scientific data. Like the Earth revolving around the sun, that's a theory too.

[Amilaheart]

I know what it means in science. I just couldn't think of a better word for it and was typing fast, plus this was late at night where I was so I was really tired

[SnowHearth]

My mother was really strict, like @lime_rampljuset I had to wake up early to train, and no matter the weather, my sisters and I had to do the excercises.

[FakeName123]

The key advantage of homeschooling is plain and simple better education when done properly. Home-schooled kids who received proper homeschooling outperform public school kids easily.

[FakeName123]

And I forget the key of developing individuality - something that public school isn't exactly good in encouraging.

[beautifulangel76]

I think it's okay for the first couple years but after that children should be in school. Socially, not being around people you can really talk to can destroy a person both mentally and emotionally.

[Amilaheart]

For some families. Most homeschoolers do have healthy social lives though

[helloitsmethere]

I am currently being homeschooled because of sickness... Thank goodness I am going back to regular school in August... it's boring af...

[lime_rampljuset]

I was homeschooled, and I had to rise from bed at 5:00, PE was the first class, and it was before breakfast.

[Pinkbeauty]

I used to be homeschooled and I liked it cause I didn't have to deal with the drama of a noisy classroom

[Massageman]

Whether you feel pro or con, people might want to check out a good book we just found on Amazon: Think About Homeschooling, by S. GlennDisclaimer: I am paid absolutely nothing for any of my mentions.

[sixnineanon]

I should've been homeschooled cause the pros outweigh the cons

[orphan]

where do you learn to socialize?

[Amilaheart]

At classes (YMCA, art classes, library clubs, etc)

[Mario21]

God job on your my take :)

[Amilaheart]

thanks :)