The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

There are pros and cons to homeschooling; while homeschoolers do tend to do exceptionally well, there are also some challenges to educating your child at home. In order to make an informed decision about whether homeschooling is right for your family, it is important to think everything through before you commit. 

Pros of Homeschooling

• Homeschooling allows children to learn at their own pace. Homeschoolers have the freedom to progress quickly in the subjects at which they excel, while spending more time on the subjects that are a challenge for them. They are not tied to the timetable of the classroom.
• Homeschooling encourages a child's natural curiosity. Because learning is fueled by a desire to know rather than the need to pass a quiz, a lifelong love of learning is encouraged.
• Homeschooling promotes strong family bonds. Spending more time with your kids allows you to maintain a strong bond with them through adolescence and beyond. 
• Homeschooling allows for a more flexible schedule. Homeschoolers are not tied to the demands of the school schedule.They can plan vacations off-season, visit museums during quiet hours or go to the park whenever they want to.
• Homeschooling allows for more individual attention to the student. You can't beat the student-teacher ratio of homeschooling.
• Homeschoolers have more free time. The individualized way that homeschoolers learn lets them complete more work in less time than their traditionally schooled peers. As a result, they have more time to pursue other interests.
• Homeschooled kids are better insulated from negative influences. They are much less likely to suffer the impact of bullying, cliques and peer pressure.
• Homeschooled kids have more natural social interactions. Rather than associating only with kids their own age, as in a traditional school setting, homeschoolers socialize and interact with people of all ages.

Cons of Homeschooling

• Homeschooling requires commitment. With no school to shoulder the teaching burden, you are solely responsible for your child's education. 
• Homeschooling presents financial challenges. Often, one parent stays home to teach the children while the other parent works, which can mean a reduced family income. In single-parent households, or when one parent cannot earn enough to support the family, this challenge is even greater, requiring creative planning and time management.
• There's more homework for parents. You'll need to find the time to develop lesson plans and field trips, things that would otherwise be handled by a school. Fortunately, there are many resources available to make this process easier, but it still means a greater investment of time on your part.
• There's no escape from your kids. You'll be with your kids all day, every day, unless you send them off to a summer camp.
• College admissions can be tricky. Although most colleges are open to admitting homeschooled students, some still prefer those with a public or private-school education. If your child has his heart set on a certain school, you may need to adjust your plans to meet their admission requirements.
• Some people just don't get it. Homeschooling families spend a fair amount of time explaining their choice to people who don't understand homeschooling and may be critical of that choice.

These are only some of the pros and cons of homeschooling; it is important to remember that every family has different needs. What may be a drawback for one family may be an advantage for another family. Keep your unique needs in mind as you plan for your children's education.