All the Pros and Cons to Consider Before Homeschooling Your Kids
Going from traditional schooling to homeschooling is a big step. Weigh the pros and cons of homeschooling before making the decision.Medically reviewed by Heather ClarkeMedically reviewed by Heather ClarkeChoosing to homeschool your kids is not a new concept, but no matter the era or time period, parents have considered homeschooling their children rather than enrolling them in the traditional school system. And right in now, homeschooling is a growing trend: National Center for Education Statistics reports that between 1999 and 2012, the number of homeschooled kids doubled.There is a wide range of reasons why a family might consider homeschooling in this modern era. Knowing the pros and cons of homeschooling will help you decide what is best for your kids and for the family as a whole. Plus you might also need to know how much homeschooling costs and if you're interested in joining a homeschooling co-op.We’ve rounded up a list of common advantages and pitfalls you may encounter—with input from real-world homeschooling parents. As you weigh your decision, give some thought to how each of these might impact your own circumstance and trust that whatever decision you make will be the right one for your family.
Pros
Cons
Freedom
Workload
Flexibility
Less time for yourself
Individualized education
Inability to work
Strong relationships
Too much togetherness
Avoid school stress
Missing out on certain opportunities
Facing judgment and bias
Fabio Principe / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Pros of HomeschoolingFreedom Whether you call it self-determination, freedom, or control, one clear advantage of homeschooling is the ability to make your own choices. As a homeschooler, you’ll be able to freely travel or move, include religious teaching in day-to-day learning, and not worry about social pressures or bullying your child may encounter at school.Plus, in home-based education, all subjects are fair game, from sailing to sewing to science. Practical skills, volunteering, artistic pursuits, and traditional trades can all fall under the broad umbrella of homeschooling. According to some homeschoolers, teachable moments are always happening and learning isn't limited to school hours.FlexibilityWho doesn’t like to set their own schedule? By educating at home, you determine the structure of your day. If your child struggles to wake up by 7 a.m., for example, you can start school later. And, since homeschool timing is fluid, you can go ahead and make your child's dentist appointment on a Tuesday at noon. There are many different homeschool schedules to try out.Individualized educationEvery child is different. Unfortunately, in the larger group setting of regular school, teachers can’t always tailor lessons to your child’s unique needs. At home, on the other hand, you can meet your child right where they are, customizing lessons to their particular interests.Does your younger child need a little extra help with math? Take an extra 15 minutes to help them understand fractions. Is your older kid into outer space? Start an astronomy unit!Homeschooling also lets you vary your approach from child to child if you have more than one—in terms of learning styles and grade levels. Plus, you get to celebrate any success or achievement together in real time.
Related: Why Kids Get Bored at School—and How to Help
Strong relationshipsThe more time you spend with your kids, the more opportunities arise for bonding. If you’ve always wished for more hours in the day as a family, perhaps homeschooling is the boon you’ve been craving.Positive experiences like fun field trips, a-ha moments in learning, and “recess” at the park can all build closer parent-child and sibling-to-sibling relationships. In some cases, homeschooling’s flexible schedule can even allow for more time with both parents—if work schedules usually limit time together on weekends or holidays.Avoid school stressFor some kids, the anxiety from stepping into the school doors lasts long past the first few days of school. Having a nervous stomach or a few tears is normal when a new school year begins, but when it doesn't go away, you may be dealing with school anxiety.According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 2% to 5% of school-age children are impacted with school anxiety. For some kids, this may be part of separation anxiety or general anxiety, but for others, it's a symptom of bullying or learning difficulties.If school stress and anxiety is debilitating and persistent, homeschooling may be an answer. Many parents who homeschool report that one of their primary reasons for choosing this route is because it also limits their exposure to violence, drugs, and alcohol.Cons of HomeschoolingWorkloadIn addition to the domestic responsibilities of your role as a parent, you’re now a teacher, tutor, curriculum researcher, and principal.It’s quite possibly the biggest reason of all not to homeschool: Teaching your kids at home is simply a lot of work, on top of all the other errands and chores that parents are usually saddled with.Creating, teaching, and grading a day’s or week’s worth of learning on multiple subjects takes serious time and effort. (However, many prepared curriculum packages do exist.) Plus, as delightful as it can be to tailor education to each child’s learning style, this can add to your workload, too.And if you have younger children at home who aren’t school age, you may also struggle to keep them occupied while you sit down to teach older kids.Less time for yourselfNot surprisingly, the workload of homeschooling—and kids home all day—is likely to leave you with less time for yourself. Some homeschooling parents say they don’t have time to shower, let alone exercise or take care of their own needs.For parents who are used to a quiet, kid-free environment during the day, this aspect of homeschooling can be a major adjustment. Inability to work All the work of homeschooling is guaranteed to take up hours of your day. Therefore, as a homeschooling parent, you may not be able to work outside the home, or you may have to cut your hours significantly. For some households, this may be a financial deal-breaker.Too much togethernessWhile many families find that homeschooling boosts good vibes between siblings and parents, there is such a thing as too much togetherness.You may find that spending all day, every day, with your kiddos (and they with each other) leads to feelings of frustration or confinement. You may also go through an adjustment period as your kids learn how to view (and respect) you as their teacher.It’s important to work in breaks, both for yourself and your kids. Or, depending on the resources in your area, you might try a homeschooling co-op or enrichment program one day a week to provide your kids socialization with others outside the family.Missing out on certain opportunitiesDespite the enormous flexibility of homeschooling, in some ways, it can limit opportunities for your child. For high schoolers, for example, a homeschool curriculum may not be able to provide the same variety of electives as a large public school. (After all, most of us don’t have a metal shop in the backyard.)If your child wants to pursue subjects you can’t easily teach at home, you’ll have to be diligent about seeking alternatives and potentially signing up for extra curricular activities outside, like dance classes or sports teams, as your child's interests grows or they decide they want to socialize with a wider range of their peers.The same holds for social opportunities. As a homeschooler, it’s up to you to provide social interaction your child won’t get from school dances, assemblies, and everyday classroom partner work.
Related: How to Help Your Kid Like School More
Facing judgments and biases Let's be honest: Homeschooling doesn’t necessarily have a reputation for being cool and modern. Unfortunately, plenty of biases and stereotypes exist around homeschooling and the folks who choose it.You may need to develop a thick skin toward other people’s judgments of your decision to educate at home.
Consider Your OptionsWhen more and more parents are exploring the wide world of homeschooling, it’s wise to look at the many advantages and disadvantages of this type of education.Do some soul searching and have a serious discussion with your partner about whether this could be the right choice for your child's and family's needs. And don’t forget to find out how your kids feel about the subject! With everyone’s thoughts and feelings on the table, you can determine if homeschooling is best for you and your family.
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