Serious negatives to homeschooling?

[EmmieAZ]

Hello everyone. I recently told my Dad that I was thinking about HS and he did not take to the idea very well. Anyway, he did say that he would read some articles that I printed off to humor me. Anyway, I promised him that in return I would also read up on the downside of HS, but apart from the easily debunked myths about HS, I can't find anything! And I mean I have researched on the Internet for hours. I don't need to be sold on the benefits of HS, I just wanted to show my Dad that I was being "open minded" to hearing the negatives as well by including some of those articles too. Do any of you ladies know of any type of research or anything official that has been documented on the negative aspects of homeschooling? Thanks

[MidnightCry]

I don't know of anything official, but the hardest thing for me is my kids not esteeming me in the same way they would a school teacher. If I say, "Okay, it's time to do your math now . . . " (or whatever), I often get groaning, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. But would they do anything even close to that for another teacher? No way!

Certainly no reason for me to give up and send them to school, though.

A word of advice . . . if you and your husband are in agreement (are you?), then don't feel like you have to justify your education choice to anyone. You are responsible to the Lord only. If it's His will that you homeschool, then He will bless your family in it. And as your children grow, onlookers will see the fruit of your labor and will "come around".

[lisaann]

A word of advice . . . if you and your husband are in agreement (are you?), then don't feel like you have to justify your education choice to anyone. You are responsible to the Lord only. If it's His will that you homeschool, then He will bless your family in it. And as your children grow, onlookers will see the fruit of your labor and will "come around".

The only negative that I have experianced in my 4 years of HS have been having the kids 24/7. If I want time alone to take a walk or go shopping ect. I need to line it up with dh or relatives to babysit. That is such a non-issue though that it isnt worth complaining about. The benefits far outweigh that minor inconvience.

[Khristy1]

A word of advice . . . if you and your husband are in agreement (are you?), then don't feel like you have to justify your education choice to anyone. You are responsible to the Lord only. If it's His will that you homeschool, then He will bless your family in it. And as your children grow, onlookers will see the fruit of your labor and will "come around".

It's the child trying to get out of being homeschooled.

[OnTheHorizon]

I have one...
Because we don't have tons of 'busy work' the child can get overwhelmed with the amount of work the will have if they go back to public or private school outside the home.
They would be pretty worn out after having school 6 or more hours and then spending another 1-3 hours a night with homework. So if you plan to send them to school at anytime, make sure you have them plenty busy so they know what a full workload is like.

[HSmomto4]

Can't think of any...

[springfield]

oops

[HSmomto4]

oops

Did you step on a frog?

[CircleSlide]

We homeschooled 3+ years. We have two girls and one boy. This year we decided to send them all to a private christian school just a few miles from our house.

The positives for us were many to hs, like being done at noon, great field trips, each child's learning style, being able to study what subject they really wanted, our evenings were our own, no homework!

The negatives for us were, I have a special needs child and he was taking all my time from my other two girls. He is autistic, with anxiety disorder and mood disorder. I burned out and my girls really began to dislike all his behaviors. It also allowed him to become more autistic (I hope you know what I am saying here), because he didn't have to hold it together like he would if family wasn't around.

Now my case is unique, but I am thankful I was able to HS those three plus years. Like everyone else has said you really have to take negative criticism with a grain of salt. If God leads you to HS then don't worry about what other's say!

[Kathe]

No downsides that we know of. My husband is our homeschool parent and it's going great. After putting 4 kids through public and private Christian schools these last 2 kids will be homeschooled through year 12. No more of that junk for us. Yes it can be hard to have kids 24/7 but the rewards far outweight that as someone else said.

We learned not to listen to the naysayers and just ignore their comments which were mainly coming from ignorance anyway.

Kathe

[Cd4u_2]

I think the downside of it is the naysayers

[wife]

I think the downside of it is the naysayers

[RRuth]

The homeschoolers around here throw huge "BACK TO SCHOOL" parties when the public school is back in session. No more crowds in the libraries, or parks! Home schooling is becoming more and more common. When I first started, I was very much the minority. Not anymore.

I have no regrets. It was the best decision I've ever made for my kids!

Don't forget to join a local home schooling group for support, and get in touch with your state's regulations towards home schooling. Each state is different. Here in Texas... well

[topekaclark]

I, like you, did major research regarding hs. I couldn't find any DOCUMENTED negative proof that I was going to do major damage to my children. The only negative things I did find was articles involving peoples opinion of hs. Socialization was one major thing pointed out, duh, have you met my kids??? Social butterflies.

HS is a commitment so is being a parent. My children are allowed to bond with me, we are raising them in Christ not of this world. My child has perform amazingly better since I pulled her out of public school. The school wanted to retain her in 1st grade never mind her math skills was out of this world. I admit she was a very slow learning to read but there was issues that wasn't being address by the school. Only by us and her doctors. Self confidence and esteem has rose. There are sooo many activities out there for hs, I'm just amazed.

Remember you and your husband are one now. You get to make the decisions regarding your children and God has commanded us to raise our children in him.

I will admit by the end of the day, I may be frazzled but we also have a toddler that has LOTS OF ENERGY>

Reading this post probably hasn't helped you, sorry.

[lbeels]

I've homeschooled one child for 11 years now. It took some time to get in a groove at first but I don't regret a thing. It has not been easy because my son has been a slow learner and not interested in learning much of the time.

Everyone socializes their children. The question is what are you socializing them for? I don't see how putting our children with a boat load of other kids their age will help them any. Proverbs 22:15 says that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child. They really should be with people of all ages.

I bet if you did the "negative" research on public or private schools you could find plenty!

Deuturonomy 6:5-7 - You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

[FunMudder]

The biggest negative I've found and encountered is from other Christians who insist our kids are supposed to be the "salt" in the public schools
Children are not little missionaries. While it's wonderful when a child can show Jesus to another, it's not their job or purpose for being at school

We have been homeschooling for 6 years and have never regretted the decision. The family members who were once parroting the myths have now all changed their tune. We are moving back to where much of my family lives, and they are all vying for different unit studies to do with my boys

It was difficult getting used to them all being home 24/7. My two oldest were in public schools for awhile. Now I can't imagine not having them around all the time it's just normal. I cringe when I think about all the time and important learning milestones I missed with them that someone else got paid to experience

[makarioselpis]

Reactions from relatives can cause some doubts. When I told my father we were going to homeschool he threatened to call social services on me. When I told my in-laws, they thought I was going to make them "weird" and social outcasts. Only my mom supported the idea. Luckily, the others have all come around. They love the flexibility about seeing the children whenever they get a whim to. I've also called on them to be teachers. My dad is a renaissance man with many varied interests and now he'll actually call me and ask "do you think the kids would like to learn about this?" Of course my answer is always yes! I wouldn't trade our homeschooling for anything!

[Robinski]

We've been homeschooling for 7 years now and have yet to find a negative. The only "problems" I've encountered are my 10 year old whining about school work and my teenager feeling like she might be "missing" out on public school. But I know in my heart that God wants me to do this for my children.

My husband was a little unsure at first and now supports me 100%. As for the rest of our families. They thought it was "weird" at first and that our kids wouldn't be socialized. But we've proven them wrong. Our 10 yr old DD makes friends on vacation at a hotel! She's quite the social butterfly and our other 3are pretty social as well. Some of those family members now support our decision.

As long as you follow the state guidelines don't feel that you have to answer to ANYONE else on homeschool.

[all things]

Hello everyone. I recently told my Dad that I was thinking about HS and he did not take to the idea very well.

Tell your Dad you can't afford the $175.00 Kevlar backpacks.

http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/213371.aspx

I saw this on The 700 Club, and what saddened me...in fact kinda made me angry...was the lack of outrage on the show that it had come to this. I sat there stunned. I took my kids out in 1992 when knives were coming to school, and the sex and gay agendas were starting to be pushed.

I hope your Dad will see the light. Homeschooling is so worth it.

[J4E]

My hat off to those of you who do home school. I even considered it myself but I'm a terrible teacher.

What has been such a blessing is that my daughter.... even at the tender age of 10 has witnessed to and brought some of her friends to Christ! It makes me so ashamed for being so lazy. It's a confirmation that she needs to be in public school. At least for now anyway.