Deciding which course of action for your child’s education should not be taken lightly. Unfortunately for so many families there is little to no thought put into this decision. Most will blindly enroll their children in public school. I’ll admit, the thought is appealing. I mean it’s free, and your kids are out of your hair during the day. The pressures of teaching them how to read, and multiply are no longer yours. However, I fear so many people are are opting for public school without considering what it means. Or without considering their options, like to homeschool.
Reasons to Homeschool
While homeschooling is still far from mainstream, it’s popularity is growing each year. More and more people are considering the homeschool option and realizing it’s advantages. While this isn’t an exhaustive list of the advantages of homeschooling here are my favorites.
- I can use Bible based resources/curriculum
- Our schedule can be very flexible
- Tailor lessons based on our child’s interests
- If one curriculum isn’t working, I can dump it and use another
- Adapt our school day to best fit their learning disabilities (ADHD and dyslexia in our case)
- Teach and use curriculum based on their learning style (not the whole class learning one way)
- Introduce/discuss un-biblical worldviews on my terms.
- They can learn without all the social pressure
- Developing a deeper relationship with our children
- Evenings are not being consumed with homework
Another reason homeschooling is becoming more popular is that they are unhappy with the performance of our public schools. Again, this list isn’t extensive, but the following are some areas of concern many families are facing.
- Students are “learning” things from other students at an inappropriate age.
- Students are under a lot of social pressure to fit in, often causing them to loose focus on their education
- Class sizes means some children don’t get the attention they need, causing them to fall behind
- They are being taught from a secular worldview (I realize this may or may not be a concern for you)
- Teacher’s often push their own political ideals/agendas, often without even realizing it
- Common Core and school performance is causing a lot of concern
- Safety concerns have grown with an increase in school violence
- Students are in school all day and often have hours worth of homework to do each night
Make an Informed Schooling Decision
Now, I am the first to admit that the choice to homeschool is not for everyone. I mean, remember I do have a child still in public school. However, I also hope that you will not take your child’s education decision lightly. I hope you prayerfully consider your options and weigh your decision.
I realize that many are considering the idea of homeschooling their children but have no idea where to start. There are so many questions to consider. Is this for me? Can I homeschool? Where do I start? What does it cost? What curriculum should I use? There are so many things to consider it can make your head hurt.
It’s getting scary what public schools are being taught now. I’m so thankful to be able to homeschool my kids!
I agree Susan!
[…] give it some consideration when deciding on an education plan for their children. There are many reasons homeschooling is a great option for most kids. There are even more reasons to consider […]
Thanks for this post! I’m considering either this or a cyber school approach for my 4 year old next year. I’m just afraid my child needs more structure than I can feasibly give at home, either because I/ we both get burnt out, or also because I have her 1-year old sibling to also occupy. Most of my homeschool friends have only one child. I know families do it with more than one. I’m just afraid of getting behind or her falling through the cracks because my attention is divided. How do people make it work with younger siblings at home too? She’s only 1, so there’s not much schooling she’d absorb yet and quite frankly I’d rather not juggle both at first.
Hey Jenn, first of all school at the pre-k and kindergarten levels don’t need much structure, they learn so much through play and games! I think many people who still have younger children at home will save the teaching that requires more one on one help (like reading and math) for when their younger children are napping. Lesson time while homeschooling is short and sweet because it’s all one on one, unlike public school when the teachers are teaching 20+ kids at the same time. As your one year old gets a little older you can let her feel like she’s doing school by having her own special activities just for during school time, maybe a special coloring book, puzzle, ect. Hope this helps!
With a family filled with teachers, my husband and I feel the pressure already to send our son (he’s only 13 months) to public school. My mom is a first grade teacher & my sister is a kindergarten teacher. Both of them complain about the rigorous testing they have along with not being able to call their Christmas parties a Christmas party but instead a holiday party. My husband is a veteran and it infuriates him that some schools don’t say the Pledge of Allegiance anymore. The school district where we live is where i went to school. I know first hand a majority of the teachers push a liberal agenda. We don’t want that kind of learning environment for our son. Plus in today’s world, it’s not unheard of for there to be a school shooting or a bomb threat. I know we have plenty of time to decide, but how did you challenge those with a direct connection to public school system without “offending” them? It’s hard these days, i know 😉
that’s a tough spot! I have a lot of neighbor friends who are public school teachers so far I haven’t gotten any negative responses (to my face anyway) of course that is a different dynamic than dealing with family. First and foremost remember that you and your husband are to make the decisions for your children and they shouldn’t be based on what others might think. Remember your family members are going to have a bias towards public school because it is where they have chosen their field of profession to be. Since your son is so young I wouldn’t bring it up too much right now, take the time just you and your husband to explore your options and make a decision. Then when the time is right make sure that when you communicate your decision that you explain your “why” as well. Try to communicate what you want to do through homeschooling rather than what you’re trying to avoid by sending them to public school. I would also make sure to communicate that your decision isn’t a reflection on how you view their profession. I’m sure they are excellent teachers but have their hands tied due to regulations like in the examples you’ve given. Simply state that you have chosen that you want a different educational path for your child where you have full control over what he is being taught. They don’t have to like your decision but should respect it as you are his parents and it’s your decision to make. Take the time to acknowledge that what they are doing is a great profession as not everyone can homeschool their children. Maybe even take the time between now and then asking questions about how teaching is going, as a way to build up a relationship where they know you genuinely care and appreciate what they do for the lives of children who are attending public school. Lastly, again this is your decision. You are not responsible for how they feel about your decision so don’t let their feelings cloud your judgement or make you feel guilty. Hope some of this helps! good luck!