Should I home school?

Tara - posted on 09/23/2012

My on is 12 and suffers from Type 1 diabetes and ADHD, ADD. It is an everyday struggle to get him to school he hates it, he is falling behind more each day. He cannot stay focused and on task. This is very hard on me because I am a single mom, his dad is somewhat in the picture but says NO to homeschooling. He is sick a lot and has many doctor and therapist appointments. Lost and don't know what to do. He is in the 7th grade and on a 4th grade reading, math level, he can barely print and needs so much more than they are giving him, he has a lot of potential but I don't know if I should go against his fathers decision.

Wendy - posted on 09/22/2012

Hi Kristine



I believe the more important question you should ask is...Are you dedicated to homeschool? Is this something your heart desires? If so, then yes you CAN homeschool. The flexiblity and freedom that this lifestyle offers is so great. Having quality time with my children is priceless. To succeed on this journey takes determination and presistance. To learn why we homeschool visit http://www.hearts4homeschool.com. I look forward to seeing you there.

Alison - posted on 05/26/2011

here's a Web site with some of the benefits of homeschooling.
http://www.nheri.org/Research-Facts-on-H...
I'm also considering homeschooling. My oldest is only 3 1/2 so I've done some research, picked my friend's brain who homeschools and I still haven't decided. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Melissa - posted on 07/13/2009

It really depends. I beleive kids need the socializaton of publc school, but if they get that elsewhere and you feel that it would be best to homeschool then go for it, just make sure they have a social life. Have you considered charter or private school

Lori - posted on 07/13/2009

Yes! Homeschool! I have been schooling my children for three years now and it is going great. The first year was a little shaky, but once you establish a routine and stick with it and your child understands what is expected of him/her it starts getting better. I do feel that home schooling their children is not for everyone for whatever reason. Some lack patience and some feel as though public school can offer more. I believe public or private school can be the answer for some and I do not discourage public education. However, with the amount of children in each classroom in public schools plus peer pressure and other conditions sometimes homeschool is the answer.

Some believe that homeschooled children are not socialized. That is a common misconception. Studies will tell you that most homeschoolers and private schooled children are involved in more activities and socialize just as much if not more than children in public school. I recommend that you do some research, find a good homeschool support group in your area and pop into a meeting. Ask questions.

Lee Ann - posted on 07/13/2009

YES HOMESCHOOL!!!! It is the best thing I ever did for my son. I started him when he started school and he will be in the 3rd grade this year. He has done so well and loves it and I do too. I get coments all the time about how he isn't learning real life things and yes he is. I teach him and we are evangelist so he is out in the "real world" learning and seeing things. I find that the 1 on 1 teaching is so much better than being in these school systems. He is beyond his years and is much more mauture than other kids his age. It doesn't take all day to homeschool so you can still work around your work schedule. As long as they do have interaction with other children (and you said they do at church, which is the best interaction they could have) then you have covered the socializing part of it. I say go for it, you will be helping your kids out in the lond run in more ways than 1!!!!

LISA - posted on 07/12/2009

It depends on the individual child. I chose to homeschool my son (called independant study) here in Los Angeles. I did it because My son new to junior high school decided his social life was more important than his education. I gave him two warnings and I had no choice but to act on my threats otherwise he wouldn't take my word as bond. He hated it, which made me see I was doing the right thing for him. Now I don't suggest you jump into it until you research and are ready to commit because when you homeschool remember it's like you're going to school as well.

My son ditched classes on a daily and I work full time and had to take way too much time from work to constantly meet in the principal's office.

the pros to homeschool if you have a child that has issues beyond an institutions ability to control great. It allows the child to focus and get the individual attention she/he needs.

but I will admit he went from being the life of the party to this introvert who seems to need social development all over. He is relatively gifted so he always managed to complete his assignments fast and it left him with time for video games, computers and the like and I noticed him spending less and less time outside.

The good that came from it is he knows i'm serious about his education, but i'm also the boss and he will do what I say period.........no if's and's or buts about it! He learned I don't joke like his friends a threat will indeed be reality if you test me. He learned that the time he spent ditching and thinking he was having fun could easily come to an end and still he had to do all he avoided.

I do plan to enroll him in public school in the fall so i'm crossing my fingers and asking GOD to give me guidance. good luck with whatever you decide and know that what works for one child may not for another.

~Namaste~

Jane - posted on 07/12/2009

No...unless you are absolutely desperate and have no alternative at all...

Kristine - posted on 07/12/2009

Homeschooling is what you make it. I'm homeschooling my two children in a foreign country. We don't have unlimited resources for libraries, museums, amusement parks, state and national parks, events, movies, etc. We make it work with our chosen curriculum and lots of playgroups with other kids. We are involved in a few after-school activities, but we are very limited. My kids have blossomed outside of a school setting.

My 8 year old was struggling in the classroom environment. Now he's happier, and gets along socially with more kids of all ages. People often see the social aspect as a negative about homeschool. Yes, my kids are not interacting with other children every single day of the week, but when they do, it is quality play time and they are socializing with children of all ages. When we grow up and are outside of the school environment, when do we ever socialize with only our peers? Homeschool kids learn how to get along with all ages.

Also, the one-on-one focus on their education is such a blessing. My kids are learning amazing amounts of information. They are happy, and willing to learn. At the end of the day at public school, they were miserable, bitter, and non-social. They just wanted to be alone in their rooms, not do homework, and not talk to anyone. They were spent from the day. Now they have energy all day, are willing to do lots of extra projects, learn about new things, and learn about the world around them.

I would definately encourage you to try homeschooling. Give it one year and see how it goes. You can always go back to public school if it doesn't work out. Good luck!

Kristine - posted on 07/11/2009

My youngest is definitely being home schooled, I am hoping we can give the other child what he needs in the schools. I am afraid with him that I will not be able to give him what he needs. I would prefer to keep them in school, but it looks like an option that will not work.

Suzanne - posted on 07/10/2009

Homeschooling in and of it's self is not a bad thing. It's when the parents can't handle the demands of homeschooling, that's when you see the impacts of the negative affects. Sometimes there really is only so much the school can do for you. I think the biggest problem in homeschooling a child is the commitment and responsiblity you as the now teacher and parent have. There are tons of resources out there to help you as well, co-op groups, gap classes, activities for socialization. Like I said, homeschooling tends to go bad when the parents don't research and utilize all the resources out there. But the same thing goes for kids who are in school. Those who do the worst are the kids whose parents aren't there to support them and use all the resources out there for their best interest. If your younger two are having behaviour/academic problems that the school isn't equipped to handle, then it makes sense to explore other options out there so that your children can become well educated.

Kristine - posted on 07/10/2009

Hope not that long I am not sure I am capable of going that far. My oldest can stay in school, he is doing well, but my youngest has major behavior issues and it wont be long before he is expelled, he almost got expelled this year. My middle has major learning and developmental problems and is picked on by his class mates, and he doesn't understand, I have had to many days with him in tears. I have been doing some schooling with them over the summer and they are actually doing well. I have discovered my youngest does better when the dogs sit with him. They calm him, heck I can even get him to do his chores with the dog attached to a leash, he can't get that at school. This is such a hard decision and is not being made lightly.

KIM - posted on 07/10/2009

what kind of problems are they having? is it behavior problems, the school should have programs to accommodate your children!...i just don't think that it's a good idea to home school..but, whatever you decide, I hope it's in the best interest of your children. and will you be home school throughout high school as well?

Kristine - posted on 07/10/2009

BUt what if they are having problems in school and you end up spending all your time there anyways? We belong to a church so they can interact there, I have to find a job to work around their school schedule anyways.

KIM - posted on 07/10/2009

I personally wouldn't home school because I see it as a disadvantage. Children learn social skills by going to schools. It teaches them how to interact with other children as well as in a classroom setting! By sending them to school it also prepare them for life's trials and tribulation that they will face as adults!

Suzanne - posted on 07/10/2009

It depends on why you want to homeschool and what resources you have to do it. I personally would never homeschool because I know myself, I would get too frustrated with my children and then too lazy to reinforce school work. My kids would suffer. But if you have all the patience in the world, are home with them and don't have to work, are willing to put tons of effort into quality curiciulum, and have community resources to fill in the gaps and for socialization, you might find that it's worth it.