What is Your Opinion of Home Schooling?

When I went to school it seemed OK. But the kids showed respect to their teachers then and the teachers were friendly in appropriate manner and the had control of the classes. But now the kids are out of control in classrooms, teachers can't read or write well themselves and think they should "hang" with their students AFTER school hours and blur the boundries. And there is too much violence and not enough education. So I think home-schooling is the best thing for kids now. (The schools have turned into babysitting places and zoos.) I home-schooled my three and they are all doing well. One has been trough college and is married with a baby coming, one is studying to make computer cartoons for TV and one is still in college for Accounting. No scrapes with the law so far and they BEHAVE. I think there are perks to home-schooling. The kids don't have to have the designer clothes to get noticed (which can break the parents financial backs!) and can do schoool in pajamas, shorts and t-shirts or sweats! Also, a nice thing is that the kids can sleep in until they wake naturally and not be grumpy. Then have breakfast and THEN do their work..and it doesn't hurt a thing. I have found the kids to be more relaxed, because they are home..and also more well behaved, because thier parent is watching and can corrent bad behaviours on the spot and without too much fuss. But I do believe kids should NOT be schooled at home to isolate them or for religious reasons. If a parent wants that, then it shouldn't be allowed, as it isn't healthy for the child. If parents want to teach religion, then it should be in Church or privately with the family..but should NOT take the place or reading, writing, history or science, etc..And kids DO need exercise and music, so if the parent cannot provide that, the child should at least go to school for those classes. And even for most home-schooled kids, the schools in their areas will allow the kids to come in for some classes the parents might not be able to provide, so some home-schooled kids can do that part time but have Gym classes or music at the regular schools and the schools would encourage it. I know many are nervous and think they could not socialize thier kids well? Not to worry. Lots of towns still have baseball/T-Ball leagues for kids to play in that will let you child make friends. Towns with pools usually have swimming classes offered in the summers. There are boy,cub,girl scouts or "brownies.". And you can always have your kids have weekend sleepovers with friends, either at the friend's home or you can have them at your house! (Kids LOVE that!-My kids had a revolving door of friends sleeping over on weekends, which the parents LOVED becaue then they got alone time!) Home-schooling is great! But it has to be done seriously and with the intent to give the child or children the best education possible, without the parent losing interest and not actually doing the schooling/teaching! I have also seen parents neglect the education and keep the kids home to isolate them , while the parent as abusive and I do NOT, of course, endorse THAT! If the parent or parents are totally dedicatd to giving their childeren the best educations they can, then I say "GO FOR IT!" It gives lots of freedoms to check out the history of your state by jumping in the car for road trips the kids will love, but the schools can't afford! (And they will actually SEE the historical sites!-It males history more real for them.) I LOVED home-schooling my three!

I decided at christmas to homeschool my 15 year old daughter. I thought long and hard about it, but I didn't want her to carry on at our local school. She wants to become a hairdresser and as soon as she is 16 she will be attending beauty school in a local town. at first we tried to keep to a rough "school schedule", but that didn't really work for us, so now I do "alternative" lessons, talking to her and teaching as I go. If there is ever something that she asks me that I don't know off the top of my head we look it up on the internet together.

RoseKitty, I think there are pros and cons to both sides of this fence. I do think home schooling is by far the safest choice, and as parents we take a big responsibility in our child's education. We can also control the medium for which our children are taught. But then there are lessons in socialization and maturity that children only gain from being with peers of their own age. If I had a choice I would opt for private smaller schools and classrooms.

I have never thought of homeschooling my son and only started reading about it online through mylot and a few other sites. I really dont' know whether I would be capable or qualified enough to teach him as I think he learns better when someone else teaches him (so I've noticed). From the times I've volunteered in his class, he pays a lot more attention to the teacher and the task at hand and interacts well with his class mates. I even got a compliment from his music teacher and she said that he was a delight to teach and a "quiet" leader. The kids look to him when it comes to leadership in their music class. Something I was not aware of and pleased to hear. I think sending him to public school was a good choice for us. I know I could be doing more with him at home but he doesn't seem to want to do much other than sit and watch tv, play cards or play with his toys. His attention span with me is very short so I guess a classroom situation is working well for him. I've heard there are a lot of good benefits for homeschooling but I don't think everyone has a knack for it (if that's the word).

I think homeschooling seems to be more popular in USA but here in the UK you don't here about it so much. I am very happy with the schooling here and would prefer my child to go out to school to learn as for me personally there would be just too many distractions at home and teaching isn't really one of my fortes. Ellie :D

Hi Rosie, What I have seen of home schooling, the actual learning has been above that of most schools. The only thing I have against it, and it really isn't against home schooling, is that I have seen kids that lacked social skills. When I was a girl scout leader a few of the girls were rather introverted due to not having the socialization that public schools bring. I would definately suggest that they participate in programs such as girls or boys clubs for that very reason. I do understand with all the terrible things we are seeing, wanting your child to be safe.