What exactly do homeschooled kids miss out on?

If parents homeschool with good planning and attention to their child's education they don't miss out on a thing. I've never homeschooled my kids, but my brother's wife homeschools their two girls. They give them plenty of opportunites to spend time with other children, so they are not missing out on any social skills. They have given them dance and piano lessons and school them according to the guidelines in our state, a certain number of field trips a year and the recommended subjects. Their girls are some of the smartest and sweetest children I know. Homeschoolers can actually give a better more rounded education than public schools achieve b/c there are so many more possibilities/subjects/activities available to choose from whereas kids in the public schools have to study whatever the school system makes available.

Socialization. Which can be both Bad (which you said) and Good. Plus, maybe the kid likes to learn stuff like how to make a bow and arrow? Ok. I don't necessarily think homeschooling is bad because I think that it does work for some people. Not to mention it's partially the parents decision ( I also think it's the kids decision). I don't have kids, but if I did...they'd be going to public school. I went to public school. I survived. I'm glad. I think Public school is fine. It worked for me. That's not to say it's the best for everyone. I do know, as I've known homeschooled children, that if they are not homeschooled properly there is actually A LOT they can miss out on. If the parents are very closed minded and only teach their children one belief... their belief, well then they aren't learning all they could learn. If you don't let your kid join in outside activities... your kids will miss out on social skills. I know a girl who, at 15, thought she was the boss of everyone... not to mention didn't know how to be anything BUT the "adult". She was 15! YOu don't need to be a BOSS or an "ADULT".. you're a kid! Be a teenager. But she'd been homeschool and her only social interaction was with her 3 YOUNGER brothers and the soccer team that she COACHED. SO.. in other words..she was the boss of people and didn't know how to interact with teenagers her age! Oh and her job? her mom was the boss. Ohhhh what a tough job to have. Not all kids miss out with homeschool. especially because in some ways...they don't know any better. But I think that it all depends how they are homeschooled. It's both good and bad. as is private school. and public school. The parents and the kids need to decide what works best for them.

"What did they miss out on? Getting beaten up in the locker room. Being called stupid by teachers. Being forced to learn stupid stuff (like how to make a bow and arrow, in TECHNOLOGY CLASS, and never being allowed near a computer). Being put into horrible social situations from which there is no escape" Don't forget - headlice - constantly getting sick - stress - peer pressure - negative competition and yes the list does go on....I homeschooled my children for 2 yrs and they NEVER got sick in the winter (it was SO NICE) NEVER had to worry about headlice or any other illness (right now there is Staph at their school which isnt something I'm pleased about), they NEVER felt less than OR not good enough, etc etc... As for the whole "socialization" thing..thats just a load of crap..Realistically speaking..children DON'T socialize that much at school ESPECIALLY if they are at a school that DOES NOT have recess like my kids school....socialization is done on weekends, after school, during the holidays and so on..My house became the local hangout when my kids were homeschooled...AND lets not forget there are NUMEROUS homeschooling groups that have field trips, play dates and get togethers on a regular basis.....

I was homeschooled, before it was en vogue. I was the child of hippie parents and I was raised in a communal house. My folks didn't like the structure of the public school system. They believed that kids needed to learn not memorize and grades were unimportant. I was taken to the museums, as we lived very close to Washington Dc, and we participated in ballet, sports, karate and various other Kid activities. We missed nothing, except normalcy. My brother insisted upon being able to go to school when he was 14. My parents relented, eventually. I continued homeschooling. I got my GED at 15, entered college at 16 and got pregnant at 17. Was this because of my lack of knowledge? I don't know. But my parents helped me through. I married my son's father; total disaster, but I raised my son to be a free spirit and a good man. 5 kids and 4 marraiges later, I have found myself, and my oldest baby got married last month. So are my misfortunes or triumphs due to my homeschooling? I don't know. I do know that I am what I am due to everything that I have been. all of my life'[s experiences have led me to this day. My schooling didn't have as much of an impact, in my opinion, as my upbringing. I was blessed with great parents, two great brothers and an extended family that I wouldn't trade for anything else in the world. So how we get our education shouldn't be of much concern as long as we are learning about the world and ALL the people in it.

My kids grew up and still are very close with a family who homeschooled. Over the years watching the 3 kids grow up the only thing I saw they may have missed out on was socializing but for the most part the parents did work on that also - get to gethers with other home schooling families, dance and music classes away from home, and my oldest son :) He did his best to include the 2 boys in his 'activities' such as parties, sports, and such. I do think the homeschooled kids got a much better education than provided in most public schools though.

Although it's finally starting to change, I think most mainstream people think of religious zealots or end of the world type extremists when they picture who home schools. Which is so not the case, and it's becoming more & more mainstream every day :) I started home schooling my eldest 7 years ago. I couldn't find another home schooling family within a 20 mile radius of my home. My hometown still doesn't have a thriving HS community, but the town next door does and eventually I'm sure our town will too.

I think like most things it has pros and cons. There is no doubt that public schools (state schools we call them here) leave a lot to be desired in many cases (not all - at least here in the UK anyway) but school is not just about an academic education. It's really the first step out into society at large I think. I think home schooling probably can be fine if the parents know what they are doing and if they ensure their child receives a "rounded" education and mixes with his/her peers socially.

My children like school. They have best friends who they chat to in between classes and have fun with.They look forward to getting home in the afternoon and relaxing,changing out of their uniforms and into their pyjamas.They like mixing with others and hearing all the gossip on the school bus.I think there could be a risk of homeschooled children feeling different to their peers.and no child wants to be different.I wonder do these parents who homeschool actually ask their children what they would prefer.Going to school or staying at home. Do they give them the choice. i doubt it.Also my children have all made friends in their first year at school, friends who have stayed with them througfhout their schooling. They love and trust those friends. If they had not attended school they would not have had that opportunity.However i do understand that not all countries have good decent schools and in those circumstances i cannot blame parents for taking their children out.i guess i am lucky there.

I dont agree or disagree with homeschooling. I think it is every parents choice on what is right for their family.I dont home school my step-daughter, but I have considered it. She loves school,but I'd like the freedom of homeschooling so I could travel more with mu husband.

I agree with you. They do miss out on being with other kids all day... at least some do. But I would much rather home-school my kids. My son enjoys going to a school... but if we have any more kids, I want to home-school all of them.

Hi kathisharpe, I don't know a lot about homeschooling, but it may be okay if handled right. Certainly the public school system leaves a lot to be desired. I wonder if they would miss out on sharing with others, cooperating, and working in groups. I believe it should be the parents choice, as long as they don't become over protective. Blessings.

I happen to agree with you. All they miss out on is oportunities for social interaction and if the parents are willing they can get the social interaction elsewhere. :) Sure they can't pass notes in class, eat in the cafeteria, play on a playground but is that really all the crucial? Kudos for home schooling I don't think I could do it. I'm so disorganized.

The camaraderie that usually builds among classmates. The experience of learning with the group and interacting with different kind of people. The travelling and the fun of being in a group.

i think they miss out on cooperating

My goddaughters three bright, beautiful, and goodhearted children were getting bullied and/or taunted on a regular basis, so Michelle was considering beginning homeschooling as soon as possible. She had been trying for a couple of years to get cooperation from the school where they attended and wasn't getting anywhere. She had been holding off on it in order to be better prepared--but, then, her oldest child (a girl) got punched in the stomach a couple of times by this bully for no apparent reason. What happened to Macie was the absolutele worst that had happened so far--even though little Karl (the youngest) was starting to feel afraid to go to school because some kid was threatening him. Michelle immediately pulled them out of school and told anyone interested (and even those who weren't) that she was taking over the education of Macie, Ryann, and Karl starting the following Monday! And she did! And it's been about 1 1/2 years, and they're thriving! One of my friends has a son whose pituitary gland is missing, and he has trouble keeping his weight in check and is, in fact, very overweight. Day in and day out, he gets picked on by kids about this. Even if he were overweight due to his eating habits, people have no right to pick on him--but this has to do with a handicap! The teachers do absolutely nothing to put a stop to it. Fortunately, he graduates this coming spring and can put all of this behind him!

Frankly, I feel my son would be better off homeschooled. He's already ahead of his class and the teachers instead of keeping up his curiosity try to curb it. There's just who's dedicated and committed to what she is doing. I totally agree with you on the fact that it's better to avoid all the unpleasantness of the conventional school at a young age. They will learn about the world and the people and that all are not nice and that they have to protect themselves. I'd prefer to teach them as and when the situation arises. Have you seen how the teachers and adults at school handle bullying among kids? They either turn a blind eye or have no clue to handle the situation.

Some homeschooled kids miss out on social interactions and skill gains, as well as fun, group activities like field trips and team building with their own age group. But parents can take steps to avoid their kids missing these things and so homeschoolers can become more normal.

I think that is one view point. I also think it really depends on how you raise your kids. My husband is from a large homeschool family. Their education is great, but their mom thinks that they get plenty of socialization at home (after all there are five of them still in school and four out of school with seven still living at home). However, I don't think that is the case and some of them have a hard time socializing. They are quiet, withdrawn, and don't know what to do in new social situations. They don't go to a very large church and the church is their only oppertunity to socialize with others their age. Additionally they haven't ever done things like debate or sports. Sure, homeschooling can be a better experience then public schools. While I hated public school I never had the problems you mentioned (other then learning dumb things, though not how to make a bow and arrow instead of being near a computer). But, if you offer an education and there is no socialization it can make it hard, additionally they could have fun doing things with others. Co-ops, homeschool groups, and participation with public schools on certain subjects can change this, as can duel enrollment in college. Homeschooling really is a preference though.

Socialization is NOT: sitting quietly in a classroom with 30 other kids the same age, doing the same thing the same way, raising your hand to answer a question, and not speaking to your peers outside of breaktime. Socialization doesn't only happen in the allowed 30 minute lunch, or during brief class breaks. Socialization IS: Meeting and getting to know people who are different ages, classes, races, walks of life. It's knowing how to handle yourself in a variety of situations. It's being with your friends, having conversations, knowing how to deal with the sales clerk or checker at the store. It's BEING social. By being with me, my kids are exposed to a variety of indiviuals and situations on a daily basis, not just on weekends and holidays. They learn from watching my interactions with other adults, and from my putting them in situations where they can practice being social. My 9 year old has friends who range in age from 4 to 34, he definitely doesn't hang out exclusively with other 9 year olds. I mean seriously, how many of you have friends who are only your age? And when at work, do you only speak to your cubicle mates during breaks? Public school "socialization" has nothing to do with real life socialization.

I can tell you what my daughter has missed out on...crowded classrooms, disruptive behavior from 'problem kids' bullying, neglect from teachers. Let me tell you what she has gotten out of it...ice skating events, library outings, pumkin patch outing, gingerbread house contest, language arts, reading, phonics, science, and math in KINDERGARTEN!! It has been amazing. It's the best decision I ever made.