I want to do a blog post on the REAL cons of homeschooling. So I need my spot frineds to help me brainstorm! I have several posts on the pros and posts defending the perceived cons of homeschooling (socialization anyone?) but what are the REAL cons to homeschooling? Like, for instance, Socialization, really isn't an issue for MOST homeschooling families, but a con is, you have to learn how to find opportunities for socialization. You have to learn (if you don't already know) how to work the community, the internet and other resources to find things. Like my kid can't play football for PS, so I have to go to the local Rec Dept or find a homeschool or church league for him to have this opportunity....you can usually find every opportunity PS kids have, it's just know WHERE to find it.... People question you more, you're going against the grain, anytime you do that, people are going to question, look down and sometimes even attack you for doing so. It just goes with the territory... So what else ladies, what are the real cons to homeschooling. I want a good honest look at from people who live it. I think it will make a great post so other homeschoolers feel someone 'gets it' and also a great resource for someone considering homeschooling....
I think the cons will vary from person to person, because I don't really have any cons that I can think of (other than living on 1 income!), but I know what I've heard others complain about: Giving up space in your house Cost of certain types of curricula Constantly in the spotlight (my kids are smarter than your kids because mine are in PS) Unable to participate in certain types of competitions
Well I will tell you what gets to me... & that is constantly being with the kids & being home the majority of the time. Do NOT get me wrong, I am blessed to be able to be with my children and I would rather be with them than anyone else, but I mean, come on, they are kids..... and they can get to you. I have to really learn how to balance a little me time in with this whole being a stay at home mom thing. I love homeschooling, but I need to learn to take a little time off for mom. We only have one vehicle... so we are home most of the time... that gets MUCH harder than just being with the kids. Some days it puts me in tears.
lack of privacy or 'me' time. hard to plan shopping sometimes, because the kids are in the middle of schoolwork when I realize I need to run an errand. hard to make and keep friends, but that one is difficult anyway for us I guess.
One income is a good one! We've always been one income so I didn't event hink of that! Too much together time is another good one-my kids are young and my oldest only went to 2 years PS, so again, it was something we were pretty used to before homeschooling, so I wouldn't have thought of that one either! Keep 'em coming ladies!
That would be lack of privacy and free time for me as well. Having the kids here all the time can be a bit draining sometimes but I would never send them to PS school because of that alone.
The amount of time it takes in planning and teaching could be considered a con. I really enjoy planning and teaching... it's fun! But, it's kind of like having a part time job you are not getting paid for. It's a trade off, and you have to limit the time you spend in other areas in order to be able to have the time to homeschool. The only other con I could think of is when you spend a great deal of time planning a fun lesson and then your child thinks it's boring. That can hurt your feelings
Ditto, BIG TIME! We only have one vehicle, and DH works two jobs to support us (another possible con: smaller amt of income) and it's just me and the kids at home. I do get starved for adult conversation sometimes, and really need to schedule "me time" to destress. Another for us anyway, is that we don't have alot of time to make new friends or keep up with old ones. I know I go months w/o seeing my friends and only depend on Facebook for communication.
I think for me, it is all the planning of lessons, trips, groups, ect. I definitely have a new respect for all the time teachers put into lesson plans and such. I didn't realize it would take a good part of the week to write out everything! LOL I am a planner and I need to have everything wrote down in front of me before doing anything! So definitely that and also I love my kids, but I definitely feel that I need more "me" time!!
My big one right now is judgmental friends, or people who just don't get it. It's really hard to have to explain yourself to everyone all the time. The other is having to book a friend or babysitter to watch the kids while I go to an appointment. Really though, it's just a lifestyle choice, the cons are in the difference in lifestyle. But it's worth it!
Planning time-that's another good one I wouldn't have thought of cause I don't plan lessons-we're child-led. See, this is why I love you ladies!
Adult conversation is mine. I spend so much time now trying to get housework done, school and so on that the days whiz by without talking to another adult save my DH. I think that will change though once some of the extra stuff starts up in the fall. And we have always been one income so it hasn't changed that way for us. I also have two awesome kidlets who play well when they have free time most days. So that means I can usually sneak in a bit of me time here and there. And if I am really desperate to get away I go out shopping with a friend for the evening. But that's rare because I am a homebody and like it that way
Our biggest con is the cost. Besides curricuculum we pay for our homeschool group, co-op classes, extra curriculuars (I normally would only do one but since they are gym we do more), art supplies... We have been a 1 income family since I was pregnant with dd so we have adjusted to that. This year was a little easier since we only have one we are paying for but the out lay always comes in big chunks. The next would be lack of space in the house. We actually turned a ceder closet in our laundry room into a curriculum closet. I also added a bookshelf in our dinning room. Every year we seem to spread out a little more into the house.
Being with the children constantly, I mean I LOVE them and I LOVE teaching them but sometimes I just need a little time away by myself or with other adults! Also it's really hard to get errands done when you always have to take three little ones along. I really do love my children and I wouldn't have things any other way, but sometimes I just need a little space.
Only real Cons I see are.... My house is always a mess... I have tons more laundry because they can freely change 4 times a day... Never being able to go to the bathroom alone... Hmmmmm.
I think all pros/cons are based purely on opinion & experience, as no 2 people share the same list. I tend to not pay attention to these lists, for this reason alone.
Cons, mom or other teacher does not get a real break from working. We do house work, family stuff and home schooling, grading etc. You really get to know your kids ( haha seriously know them) annoying points... lol
The kids' behavior isn't shaped by their peers........... I know that is usually a good thing, but sometimes it is a bad thing. Take a homeschooled kid that picks his nose....ALOT! You have told him forty beleventy times a day not to do it.... you threaten and scream..... and that finger is magically drawn to the nasal cavity to pluck out another juicy bit. Let that same kid do that one time infront of a group of public schooled neighborhood kids and get teased for it.......... and voile! The child of yours is no longer a nose picker (at least not as bad of one). LOL