For those that are currently homeschooling, can you tell me the pros and cons from your own experience with homeschooling? Our 5 year old kindergartner is bored academically in school, so he is acting out and does not listen and bothers his peers by poking and touching them and we cannot take it anymore. He is amazing at home, but a nightmare in school, so it is totally environmental. We are just at a loss for what to do for him. Thank you.
Welcome to the forum! We've been homeschooling for just shy of a year. Pros: *Academics are based on ability, not on a 'test', so I can focus on all areas that I think are important. *My daughter will have the skills to go on to college- not be forced to work at McD's for the rest of her life because she never learned to read or do math. *Dd no longer feels stupid. *Ds will find reading tolerable, if not enjoyable. *Both will learn a good, solid math base they can build on. *Ds's behavior at home is completely different: he's more relaxed, and a much pleasanter person to be around. Both of my kids have an inner peace that I didn't even realize was lacking. *The kids respect us and each other far more. I hadn't even realized how little ds thought I knew (he thought the teachers had all the answers) until I pulled him. *Both are taught acording to their skills and strengths, instead of with pedagogy based on latest 'research'. Their educations are tailored to THEM and moves at THEIR speed. No one is ever behind, or put in remedial groups. No one will ever fail a class, and no one will move on with a missing piece. Both are 'Straight A' students! Cons: *No time for myself AT ALL. *It takes research and work to REALLY make our academic program successful, and it takes effort to teach at an appropriate level. Nothing that requires a degree , but there is a matter of trial and error in the beginning. *No time when the kids aren't with me- which means no 8 hour stretches to clean the house, take a very quiet nap, etc. *The kids aren't always eager students- and it can be easy to decide to 'skip' academics. BUT their entire education rests on me. A day or a week off is no big deal- but letting 'school' fall by the wayside altogether isn't an option. *Irritating comments by well-meaning and not-so-well-meaning friends and strangers. *Being a member of a 'less-normal' culture can make one feel a bit like a bug in a petrie dish. Especially if one's own upbringing included ps.
Pros *I get to be with my kiddos all day *I know what sort of "socialization" they have *I can customize our academics to their abilities and interests *They are learning life-skills, not just academics *Field trips anytime we want (with less crowds) *Nutritious hot lunches *I'm learning, too! *I get to take them all with me to the store *Learning is usually fun *Can visit family without regard to the "school year" *They help me with housework *Being the odd one out (yes, this is a con to most, but I love it!) *I can take all the time in the world to make sure they understand (truly understand) *99.9% of the time, there's no homework (evening work) so they can spend quality time with daddy *We can take breaks just to enjoy our time together (sometimes field trips, sometimes game days, movie days, whatever) *The older three can help entertain the baby while I take a shower (this is a big one for me. lol) *No morning stress; everyone sleeps in until they have enough sleep, eat calmly, get dressed without rush, etc. *We can go late-night activities without worrying about getting up early; like star gazing on a clear night (no need to wait for a weekend) Cons *A more restrictive availability for me at work *I have to take them all with me to the store *It's harder to keep the house clean when the kids are in it all day *It takes planning on my part I've been HSing since my oldest was in K (this is our 5th year) so I have no PS experience with them on which to compare.
This is our 5th year homeschooling. My 3 oldest were all in public school and pulled out for various reasons. youngest has never been. My oldest just returned this year as a freshman.. Pros: you know exactly what they are learning You can pick and choose what they learn and how in depth to go with it. No redundant work if they already understand a concept. you can move on or if needed you can stay on a topic longer. You know exactly who they are being influenced by. Stronger family bond Learning becomes a way of life not a "time" of day or a specific time of the year. You don't have to teach the same way the public school does. Don't like textbooks then don't have to use them. They can sleep in if that's what they need and then start later in the day than public school. No worn out kids from sitting in a classroom for 7/8 hours a day for only about 3 hours of instruction. Cons: They are with you constantly (can be a pro as well) No sports groups for my DS13 in the area Unsupportive families/friends I am amazed that my 15 year old still wants to go to public school. He could come home if he wanted to but he would rather get up at 6am and sit on a bus for 30/45 min. Then sit in a classroom for 8 hours and THEN have to go to homework lab in the evenings because I have NO clue what the heck they are teaching. There are NO text books for him to bring home so parents can't even help their chidren. It's just stupid. I would LOVE to make him come home but it's not an option at this time. Homeschooling is SO much better!!
pros: *helping your child learn in a friendly environment *going at his/her pace *taking as many breaks as necessary *realizing that learning does not always have to be done on a worksheet to "prove" learning *lunch everyday with your child cons: *trying to figure out the best way, it takes a lot of trial and error sometimes *realizing that some people will look at you like you have two heads when you say you are homeschooling *being disciplined enough to be effective One of the biggest pros can also be a con (at first): Letting go of the notion that the "school" way is the only way to learn. When it can actually be detrimental to learning. By that I mean, using a textbook and answering questions, taking a test and moving on and ONLY doing that type of learning. It is a con at first because it can be hard to let go of something so ingrained.
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling-Reply What are some things that family and friends have said regarding homeschooling and what have you said to them?
I could write a book with one relative's comments. Let's see... First, I wasn't qualified to teach my then-six year old. Academics would suffer. When that proved to be a crock, he switched tactics to 'socialization'. Didn't seem to notice that my kids are FINE in that department, and that dd is actually MORE outgoing now than she was in ps. Another relative said she didn't believe in homeschooling at all (but that if anyone could do it, I could, so it was actually a weird sort of compliment.. I think.). Strangers- usually for me this is just socialization. A lot of times I am asked who tells me what curric to use. People can't wrap their head around the fact that I GET TO CHOOSE :lol:
I've never heard any unsupportive comments. I've been really blessed, I guess. I usually get the "I wish I could have/would have homeschool(ed)." I did have one friend ask (and not in a negative way, really), if I was worried about my boys being socialized... after they had just finished a 2 hour conversation with her. :lol: Sometimes people just spit out the 'typical' stuff because they haven't thought it through.
I get this, too. It's not negativity or an objection, it's that they just can't understand that I have total control over my sons' educations.
Also, anyone who was in public schools, did your kids have problems keeping their hands and feet to themselves? Know anything that worked to stop it? That is our son's main issue in school.
We DID have a similar issue with our ds in K. Mainly, though, our ds was pushing in line. After too many tears, too many phone calls, too many conversations with ds, and too many trips to the principals office, he came home with bruises on his throat and in hysterics. His 'friends' were bullying him nearly every day, and the teacher REFUSED to acknowledge that fact. So what we had been led to believe was a behavior issue from our ds was REALLY just his anxiety showing. At school, he was victimized, then came home to a lecture from me about not behaving :cry: No, we didn't find a solution. The only thing that 'fixed' it was moving into 1st grade, and the bullies being put in another class.
(I know this isn't what you asked, but keep in mind that the public school model is designed to be ideal for female-oriented behaviors. Perfectly normal male-oriented behaviors are intolerable in a large group setting.)
He's a boy. Almost all boys have that issue. They are wiggly and full of energy. Why would you want to stifle that enthusiasm? It's actually very beneficial. The school doesn't like it because it makes classroom management a nightmare. Sorry, I'm getting on a soapbox here. Is there any way to have him do some more advanced work in class? If he is acting out because he is bored, maybe he could be accomodated with some harder work. That would engage his mind in such a way that some of his restless energy would be greatly reduced. But if you do decide to bring him home, you would have lots of support here to get you started.
Okay... My kids have never been in school....so I can only speak to my experience. Pros My kids are able to learn at their learning style - not one that other kids learn on. My kids can work at their own pace - which means if they need more time on something, they can have it, or if they can go faster, they can....no need to hold back. My kids have TIME to be kids and be creative in their play instead of needing others to tell them HOW to think or imagine. My kids get along with each other VERY well, even help each other with their schoolwork. My kids aren't afraid to look things up when something interests them. My kids talk to other kids - not just their peers. They can carry on conversations with adults and be interesting AND interested. My kids can do their work upside, standing on their head, do jumping jacks in between math problems, sit on a core-training ball, whatever necessary to get their work done. I get to be the main influence in my child's life, not their teachers or their friends. We don't have to go out every week to get the new fad, the new thing, watch the new show, etc. There's no "keeping up with the Joneses" to worry about. They have an identity that THEY FEEL is cool, and don't really care what others think. Cons My house is always a mess. Always running around b/c we do too many activities! I love them, but some days are very hectic! Dealing with people who don't understand or don't agree with homeschooling can get tiring. I think that's it.
Love the questions. One all of the pro's as listed above Con's for me have been none other then having no free time unless booked. As to what negative things family has said. How about 'You can't teach them at home because I know I couldn't have done it.' 'You can't teach through highschool because you wouldn't know what to teach.' My response is always. We will cross that bridge when we get to it. Another comment is 'If the province doesn't require testing how can you know what they know.' Gee I don't know maybe because I spend 24 hours a day with them and talk to them during that time. Maybe because I taught the course material to them in such a fashion that testing isn't required. Maybe because I give oral quizzes daily in and out of our schooling. Hmmm most comments are just silly. Ignore them. And then of course there is the 'what about socialization.' Sigh it's mute really. We all experience different things and situations growing up that effect our personalities. Some traits like shyness are innate and not easily trained out of people no matter how hard a parent pushes. Socialization does not mean spending time with peers on a daily basis to learn the nuances of childish behaviours either. So I prefer to respond that I make sure they are civilized human beings. And we spend time with other kids as needed. Really it does become a as needed thing for us as my kids aren't the type to need others to entertain them. So as to the getting little boys in PS to sit still...yeah part of the reason we started down this road was because the school wants little office workers not thinkers or doers. Little boys as you know are thinkers and doers. I say if you can homeschool do it. Its a huge commitment on your part. It requires work on your part and sacrifice sometimes too. But the gains for you and your son will be only limited by what you feel you can or can't take on. For example I have taught my son basic auto mechanics, robotics, and a whole host of other subjects he would never have gotten to learn in PS. And he is so happy being able to do his work without distraction of other kids or worrying that maybe he will be in trouble for needing the bathroom, a snack etc... FREEDOM=Homeschool Thats the biggest pro I can think of for homeschooling Hope my ramble helped some. Oh as to getting your child to sit still in PS I suggest duct tape
I have a 7 yo boy who couldn't sit still if he was duct taped to the chair. He is so wiggly. It drove me nuts for a long time. But then I figured out to just let him wiggle. When I read to him, he rolls around on the floor, walks around the room, fiddles with things, pats my arm, etc. I have tried to direct his wiggleness, and he will fold the laundry or color sometimes as well. I have tried to get him to sit still, and he really tries, but it is really really hard. My change in mind, came about when one day he was suppose to be trying to sit still and he started crying and said " My legs and hands just won't listen" He wasn't being bad, just a boy. So now we don't fight that, and we use it instead. I know that he can't fold your laundry while in public school. But I just wanted to share what I have found works for my little guy. Don't think your son is bad, or misbehaving just because he is acting the way his body was meant to act. It also isn't a sign that he needs to be on meds.
I also wanted to say that it is funny how so many of the pro's are also cons some days. For example I get to spend all day with my kids, some days it is I have to spend all day with these kids. Or I get to teach them everything, some days it is I have to teach them everything? It is just like life, it depends on if it is a good day or a bad day. But I find it humorous. I will take the bad with the good any day!
I also have advanced K in kindergarten. What i did - i talked to the teacher. She said that she has no idea what to do with him academically. . I sugested that i could bring materials what we are doing at home and she was very happy. What my son doing at school is - 2nd drill math (by himself or with teacher), he describes a pic by writing a story about it with 5 words that is given to him that he MUST use in a story. He reads more advanced books. my son being so advanced (3rd grade math, and very fluent reader and speller).... i am not expecting K to teach anything new academically. But i am would be happy if my son continuing doing his level at least. Which they do. When he gets home i do rocket math with him, and Kumon drills (2 columns for addition and 2 columns in subtraction). And we also do spelling (AAS) at home. PS. I did homeschool him for pre-K... and it was OK. PRO: you know your kid's strength and weakness, and how he/she learns = so you can get the best suit program. CON: if I give in in one little thing, my son would expect that for everything. And at was at the point when he wanted to do VERY minimum. PRO: you dont have to worry about fining clothes to wear CON: he/she all by herself because other children at school. I thought it would be no biggie when we were homeschooling. But once he started public K i noticed how important it is for a kid to be around his age kids. They learn so much about being considered to people his age and to adults. You just dont get that from a play date, or 1 day coop. PRO: you get to know all about his education and what he is doing. you are in control. the BIGGEST CON for me about homeschooling was that i dont want to fight with him to do academic work. Interesting stuff he likes to do, but when it comes to not interesting drill stuff he starts fighting and whining and i just feel like i have to MAKE him do it. Dont get me wrong - once he starts doing drills for example he is OK, its just GETTING HIM STARTED doing them is a fight. I was so tired of it at the end.
All 15 of our children were/are educated at home. I am down to just 1 now as the others have all graduated. I am one of those people that can honestly say I cannot think of a single "con". I loved having my children with me and loved teaching them. Wouldn't have it any other way! You will love it and your child will definitely be better off with you!!
