I guess I don't see these as being negatives. 1) Parents and kids have to learn to accept each other as they are. This is called unconditional love, most parents have it whether they homeschool or not. 2) Homeschooling parents have to accept full responsibility for their actions and live their lives. This is not any different from parents who have their kids in ps. Good role models. 3) Homeschooling families have to listen to a lot of questions and concerns about their decision. We set our boundaries early on so we didn't endure any-one's vile diatribe. 4) Homeschooling parents have to be more resourceful than they've ever been before. I was doing this even before we decided to homeschool. 5) Homeschooling parents have to struggle with balance. I have never felt this way. I enjoyed homeschooling my boys and if I had more kids, I would do it again. 6) Homeschooling requires dedication, but not to workbooks and curriculum, or even a schedule. Again, you don't have to homeschool to be dedicated. 7) Homeschooling angst wants so desperately to hang over their shoulders. Never experienced this from family or even the ps. When dh took the test results to the ps they would always compliment the job we were doing educating our boys. 8) Homeschoolers have to pave their own way. I wouldn't have it any other way though I view it as a positive thing. 9) Often, homeschoolers have to stand up, alone Again, I would not have it any other way. Homeschooling my boys has taught them courage, confidence in themselves and they will stand up for their convictions even if they are the lone wolf at the moment. 10) And finally, the hardest thing about homeschooling is choosing between the million and one options, Choices are great, that is one reason we homeschooled. Again I don't see that as a con to homeschooling.
I suspect the article was meant to be tongue-in-cheek. The author doesn't really believe these are cons but responsibilities that too many people choose to avoid.
I don't know...I don't think the author meant for it to be tongue-in-cheek. It sounded to me like it was a real attempt to address some of the struggles we face, instead of always feeling like we have to paint this unrealistically rosy picture of the homeschooling experience. I actually agree with each of the things she listed, especially the one about homeschooling angst. I am dedicated to teaching my kids, but I am CONSTANTLY second-guessing every decision I make. Not in front of the kids; it's more of an internal battle. I suppose there is a silver lining to that, though...it's good to examine oneself and make sure you're doing the best you can with what you've got. But it's a very fine line between doing that and feeling like you're always wondering where you're falling short, KWIM? But yeah, I've pretty much experienced everything she listed, right down to feeling like there are almost too many choices in curricula, etc. (Not that I wouldn't want those choices...but decisiveness is not my strong point! LOL)
I do not believe the article was meant to be tongue-in-cheek either. However how we view the "cons" that were listed has to do with perspective. Although I know from experience that homeschooling isn't always a bed of roses, I also know that I do not share the authors perspective. I tend to see these situations as MamaBear sees them.
Hmm, what about real cons, such as fewer options for group centered learning activities, possible financial strain, less diverse viewpoints, and (this may or may not be a con) fewer tests of character (ps was no fun, but I'm much happier I got over the issues of who I was, what I wanted to be, and learned what the real world was like before I was thrust into college and the working world)?
It sounds like the author misused the word 'con' for the word 'challenge.' Since she's speaking generally, I think much of what she said applies to at least some homeschoolers. Of course, as Mamabear pointed out, some of these apply to parents in general, regardless of schooling choices. I don't personally experience any kind of pressure to not homeschool, but I know quite a few do. And, despite boundaries, they still have to hear about it and enforce the boundaries. I will say that I personally tire of hearing how every kid who's a bit weird and homeschools is weird BECAUSE they homeschool. We just finished VBS this week, and I saw quite a few odd ducks who go to public school. Did anyone comment that they were strange because of public school? No. Now, that kind of experience riles me every time. At any rate, I think her overall point that homeschooling puts a unique demand on the family in terms of time, money, resourcefulness, and dedication is accurate. I don't think it's accurate to call them 'cons' per se, but those issues do make homeschooling a more challenging type of schooling than public or private are.
I agree with what all of you have said. I am homeschooling because we moved to a place were there are no chistian schools that have our same value system. I do get questions on why we homeschool and what is wrong with public schools. I also get comments like: we are sheltering our girls too much and what will happen when they grow up and have to experence life.(like i'm not teaching them life.) Since this is only my 2nd year homeschooling, it is not easy, you do have to make scrafices but i think it is well worth it all. I enjoyed last year and i have gotten good ideas for next . i went to ps, and stayed in the back ground so to speak.
I can live with that list of cons. I can't live with the list of cons I can come up with for sending my kids to their local public school.
What about the pros? Just think of all the things our children miss out on: Bullies Kids having sex on the school bus or somewhere at school (this happened in a school where I know the dean in Orlando - 6th grade) Athiest Teachers Kids having babies Inappropriate behavior to the max Peer Pressure Drugs & Alcohol I know some of these things they will face anyway, but that list is just a short one! When we train and teach our kids at home, we usually know their friends, their friend's parents, and other influences in their lives. We have more of an impact on their decisions! Of course it isn't easy. God doesn't always call the qualified to teach at home, but He will qualify those whom He calls! I remember what it was like when I was in jr high & highschool, (15 or so years ago) and it was bad. Now there are drugs I have never even heard of! It is scary!!!
They're a fact of life. Sooner you learn, sooner you cope. Only the sluts have sex at school, most save it for the movie theater. ô_o And you would prefer... Scientologists? Happens, but oddly enough not that many kids talk about it. Eh, only if they don't take their meds or the parents treat school like daycare. Say it with me, "Is a fact of life." ￢_￢ This insulting stereotype is wearing thin.
These cons were quite well thought out, I thought. They are challenges, certainly, but they are also blessings that help us to grow. But, I guess, not everyone is ready/comfortable to grow.
It was definitely tongue and cheek. And I thought it was great to actually hear from the homeschooler instead of the parent. They have much insight to what it's like and they seem to be happy that they were homeschooled. And intelligent! Can you believe it! An intelligent homeschooler. Freedom is a luxury that we take for granted too often. Every year I wonder if the right to educate my child may be taken away from me. Socialism seems to be creeping its way in lately!
I like that article. Those certainly are some struggles that we will or have faced. But they are struggles that are going to help ourselves and our children grow. I can definitely live with those cons.
