Spunky Homeschool

The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

Jan. 18, 2006 at 8:16 AM

Homeschooling

A reporter for the ChallengerNKY in Northern Kentucky says,

Homeschooling isn't for everyone. Anyone considering this option for their children should consider the following pros and cons before making their decision. Currently only 22 states in the United States require standardized testing of homeschoolers. Kentucky is not one of these states.
Thankfully, Michigan doesn't require testing.   Although, it comes up in the legislature perioidcally. Here is their list of the pros and cons of homeschooling.

Pros
* Customized education
* More family time
* Family values taught
* Pressures of peers, competition, boredom, and bullies avoided
* Improved communication between parents and children
* No busywork
* Well-rested children
* Life skills learned by example

Cons
* Demands on time and finances
* One parent often gives up career and income
* Being with children 24/7
* Limited extracurricular activities and sports
* Socialization concerns
* Living outside of the norm
* No quality control

Why is living outside the norm a "con"? As I learned from a preacher long ago, "Noah went into the boat a minority and came out the majority." There is something to be said for not following the crowd."

What do you think? Are these accurate? Is there anything you would add to either list?

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8 Comments and Trackbacks

posted by Pattycake on Jan. 18, 2006 at 9:00 AM

Any con I could possibly think of (like perhaps having time to clean my house) is immediately disqualified by the enormous number of cons that come with any other options. In other words, we'll find a way to clean the house. The price is simply to high, the sacrifice of my children too great. Besides, I taught my youngest how to use the vacuum!

posted by Kristee on Jan. 18, 2006 at 9:20 AM

The cons listed reveal the cheapened family values of today's societal norms. I am so thankful the Lord rescued me from the "norm". I pray He does the same for my dear children!
Career before kids?! This is the PROBLEM!
24/7 w/the kids?! Halleluia!
Stretch on finances? I guess we'll have to give up the vacation house and our trips to Vail in exchange for happy, well adjusted children who love the Lord, their families, learning and life.
Limit on extracurricular activities? I guess they haven't investigated the homeschool movement too deeply. I feel limiting outside activities somewhat may be a good thing.
Socialization? Yea, definately concerned about the scary socialization offered by our godless communities.
No quality control?! Who are they kidding?! I finally have quality control of my children's education and our lives.
Children who are not govt. trained clones and are strong enough to be the individuals God created them to be...Priceless!

Thanks Spunky! I enjoy your blog.
Kristee

posted by Anonymous on Jan. 18, 2006 at 9:21 AM

* Demands on time and finances - been there; done that. Homeschooling helps you better manage your own time and finances instead of them being at the direction of the public school!

* One parent often gives up career and income - Thank goodness mamas can be home with their children. Yes, it is hard to give up the income at first, but the benefits are enormous.

* Being with children 24/7 - What a sad comment on the way things are today that this should be considered a con...

* Limited extracurricular activities and sports - Yes, we are able to limit the extracuricular sports and activities to those that meet our family's needs and schedules. Hallelujah!

* Socialization concerns - One reason we homeschool! :-)

* Living outside of the norm - Have you seen the "norm" lately?!

* No quality control - I suppose this is working in the public schools... Am I missing something here? Quality? I don't think so. Control? No. Homeschooling IS our quality control!

Blessings,
Lea

posted by Harriette on Jan. 18, 2006 at 2:38 PM

Nothing to add to either side - just an observation - it amazes me that "they" would list as a negative being with the children 24/7. I find it more amazing the parents (especially the mothers) of children who attend public/private schools seem to be the ones always whining about needing more time to themselves and dreading the summer.......Personally, I dread the day my sons decide to move away from home.

...on second thought, I do have a "Con" to add to the list: THE WORLD nd all of its distractions trying to tell me how to raise and educate my children and trying to tell me I shouldn't want to be with my sons 24/7.

I don't follow the "quality control" item.....

;-)
Harriette Jacobs

posted by on Jan. 18, 2006 at 4:19 PM

Cons???
* Demands on time and finances - As oposed to the rushed pace of working moms who simply chauffeur their kids from place to place and spend bunches of money on fast food because she has no time to cook a proper meal....... (I could go on)<b/>

* One parent often gives up career and income - I was planning on being a Stay at home mom before I ever heard of homeschooling.<b/>

* Being with children 24/7 Huh? Why have kids if you don't want to be with them??<b/>

* Limited extracurricular activities and sports - Limited... not sure who gave them their info.<b/>

* Socialization concerns - One of the reasons we homeschool<b/>

* Living outside of the norm - I like where I live. <b/>

* No quality control - as opposed to the public schools? Yeah right!<b/>

Edited by KarenW on Jan. 18, 2006 at 1:21 PM

posted by KarenW on Jan. 18, 2006 at 4:23 PM

Hmmm....... I didn't do that bold thing right and I can't edit a comment more than once. Sorry! Maybe I'll figure it out someday..

posted by Anonymous on Jan. 18, 2006 at 5:42 PM

I simply do not see how homeschooling can cause a limit in extra curriculuar activities. As a homeschooling family, we have found MORE time to attend soccer lessons, art, piano, etc. instead of trying to add them to an already busy schedule. Our son went to public school 1st grade last year and came home exhausted and cranky. We had an hour of homework and no time for any extra curricular activities. What a blessing to have time for the extras this year and not be over-stressed! As for the high school level, many families in our area, if they are serious about sports, compete at the "club level" anyway, eliminating the need for school sports. As a bonus, they can find private sports instructors to help them during the day when most other kids are at school. It can be expensive but the quality of their instruction is outstanding!

The only con I can see where they MIGHT have a point is quality control. We have homeschooled for more than 4 years and I have seen a number of Christian families that spend more time defending their right to homeschool (to anyone who will listen) than actually teaching their children. The love the idea of homeschooling but when you talk to their kids, you can tell very little learning actually takes place. Now, of course, everyone understands that families have their ups and downs in schooling. We all have our struggles. I've just met some families recently that year after year after year just don't seem to instructing their children in anything, not even the Bible! One family lets the TV (any show, all day) be the primary instructor and then mom has asked me why her 8 yr old can't read. (We ourselves unschool many of our days so it's not the educational philosophy.) It concerns me. However, I do not believe this should be of great concern to the state. In the end, the parents that will look back and realize that their children's education (or lack thereof) was their responsibility.

Great post Spunky!! Keep it up!
Anne in CA

posted by spunkyhomeschool on Jan. 18, 2006 at 5:46 PM

I agree with all tht was said.

Karen to bold something you have to put the / before the b in the brackets.

That's all.

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