Are Home Schooled Kids Better off these days?
By luckywebb
@luckywebb (77)
United States
November 16, 2006 12:41pm CST
My husband and I have a new baby girl, although she is a long way away from going to school, we are considering home schooling. Do you think Home Schooling is a better Option than Public School? Is safety an issue in this day and age? Discuss!:-)
9 responses
@juicemilk (2283)
• Australia
23 Nov 06
I wouldnt have wanted to be homeschooled as a child, and would never consider it if I have any children.
I think children need to interact with other children their age to learn, not just academically but socially as well.
1 person likes this
@luckywebb (77)
• United States
25 Nov 06
I went to public school and loved it as a child and young adult, but I was and still am a very outgoing person so I think that is what made it so much fun for me. It is really important to have kids exposed to other kids and people. that was the one thing we were concerned about with homeschooling, but we have found out that there are a ton of homeschooling groups that get together weekly to do fieldtrips, play dates etc, so the social part of it isn't such an issue for us now. It will take a lot more involvement to attend those activities, but it is important enough to us to do so if we go with homeschooling.
@luckywebb (77)
• United States
25 Nov 06
I agree. We know homeschooling will be a lot of work and commitment and that we as parents will always be learning things just as our daughter will be. Thankfully in this day and age with so many people homeschooling now, there are a lot of programs around to help the parents to prepare and learn what needs to be done to be successful at learning at home.
@luckywebb (77)
• United States
25 Nov 06
It can be confusing making such a big decision like this, but I really feel that the right choice is very important. I am hoping that we will have our minds made up by this summer so we can start to get into some of the programs ahead of time.
@bob1_smith (43)
• United States
22 Nov 06
Congratulations on your new baby. I am a homeschooling mom of a 7yo ds. If you can swing it (financially) it is about the most wonderful experience you can have. There is a book I HIGHLY recommend you read if you are considering (I know it's still early) public school. It's called A Thomas Jefferson Education written by Oliver Van De Mille. It describes in an intersting way the current public school system as "the conveyor belt system." It discusses the fact that "public" schools (free government sponsored) schools are a product for the poor that didn't have any other option. Now please understand I am not knocking the poor, nor is the author. The public school system is a tremendous benefit to our society, as it allows those without money the same shot at literacy that middle and upper classes have. I cannot recommend this book enough if you are considering homeschooling for your family. In addition, I have other recommended readings if you want to reply to me. Best of luck and congratulations again on your gift!
1 person likes this
@luckywebb (77)
• United States
25 Nov 06
Thank you for your recommendations. I really appreciate it and will be sure to check that book out. Any other suggestions you have would be wonderful. My husband and I feel it is important to really research this option before we decided to do it, and although we have a few years, it is best to start researching now. It is always good to hear the positive experiences that people have had homeschooling their own child or children!
@wahmbrendamh (576)
• United States
23 Nov 06
I think that homeschooling is better than public schools not only for safety reasons but also because there's no peer pressure to hamper their learning.
@luckywebb (77)
• United States
25 Nov 06
I agree there is a lot of peer pressure these days and that is a concern. I want our daughter to be able to deal with those sort of situations, but I think there will be plenty of other parts of life where she will have to figure those sort of situations out on her own. We are thinking about letting her make the decision once she is old enough for high school if she decides at that point to go to public school, then we would let her try it. We alwys want her to know she has choices, but as far as schooling for her while she is still very young, we think home school might be the best.
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
30 Nov 06
I think both homeschooling, and public schooling have their advantages and disadvantages. I also believe if you are a proactive parent and involved 100% in your child's education, which ever way you choose, it will beneficial in making their educational experience successful and rewarding on many levels.
As for safety issues in regards to public schools, again, if you are an involved parent you will help your school incorporate and implement the necessary steps and procedures to keep the school safe. I wish we could surround our children in a bubble, and protect them, but we also cannot raise them to be paranoid. Our children are just as easily put in danger when we take them to a supermarket. I think if you are going to homeschool it should be because you are sufficiently knowledged yourself, and can implement the positive structured environment to educate your child in, but not solely because you are concerned about safety.
@remaster74 (4064)
• Greece
25 Nov 06
I have to say that the answer depends. It is true that nowadays the kids at school are going through rough times. Violence, gungs, deterioration of knowledge etc. But home schooling can make your child unsocialized. I thought of having my son home schooled not long ago, but now I know that if I pay attention to his reactions and his sayings, then public school is going to be just fine.
@kylesmiles (1910)
• United States
25 Nov 06
Hey there. My son is 10 1/2 months old and I have thought about homeschooling him as well. I hear it is very expensive though. I just ready some great recommendations that I will have to check out.
