There are parents who want to home school their children but some are still doubtful about homeschooling.
The following information will help parents know what to expect when they home school their children. It will enable parents to make a better informed decision if they are still uncommitted to homeschooling, and it will help them determine what negative aspects of homeschooling they will be able to tolerate and what positive aspects of administering their children’s education you will enjoy.
Favorable Effects of Homeschooling
Parents have the opportunity to:
- Determine the curriculum and their children’s schooling schedule
- Demonstrate to their children that education is fun
- Create strong bonds with their children
- Adapt teaching methods best suiting how their children learn
- Spend extra time with their children on difficult concepts and move ahead after children master a subject or concept
- Create a flexible schedule not possible for children enrolled in public school
- Provide religious and ethical instruction for their children
- Shelter children from school violence, drugs, and other negative behaviors children in public schools frequently encounter
- Provide their children with the personal interaction that teachers in large classrooms are not able to provide
- Spend extra time helping their children develop any special talents they possess, including musical, athletic, and so on
- Discuss controversial topics at their discretion with their children
- Enjoy spending more time with their children
- Assist their children during adolescence and other trying times
- Draw closer to their spouse as they homeschool their children together
- Take their children on vacations when public school is still in session
Possible Setbacks of Homeschooling
Homeschooling parents are required to:
- Be around their children all day long. This can be difficult when children become restless and misbehave
- Frequently explain their reasons for homeschooling their children to friends and relatives unsympathetic or confused about their decision
- Restrain anger and remain patient when children struggle with learning
- Effectively handle the difficulties of moving at a slower pace than public school instruction
- Spend large amounts of money on books and other learning materials
- Constantly adapt to be effective teachers
- Constantly motivate their children
- Speak with other people homeschooling their children to get ideas about solving difficult problems if they’re unsure about the best course of action
- Spend time reviewing numerous curriculum programs up to their standards and best suiting their children’s learning needs
- Spend more time finding playmates and friends for their children in similar circumstances
Although there are many other benefits and disadvantages associated with homeschooling, the aforementioned information provides you with an idea of what to expect as a homeschooling parent.
Homeschooling can be very stressful, but it’s also rewarding. However, it is not for every parent, and parents unprepared or unwilling to make the commitment to be an effective teacher should avoid it.