I know there are ways to homeschool inexpensively, but it's easy for it to get expensive, especially with multiple children. Things like curriculum, computer ink, white boards, museum memberships, homeschool co-op fees, etc add up quickly. Oh, and don't forget the extracurricular activities we enroll our kids in to make up for the sports and other special activities they'd otherwise get in public school. I've got 3 kids, two are now old enough to participate in most activites. In the next 3 weeks, I'll be dishing out: $170 for Cubs (8yo) $140 for Beavers (5yo) $200 for swimming lessons (both) and $50 for KidzWorld/Choir through our church (both) That's $560 towards extra-curriculars just for Sept-May, and swimming is only for Sept-Nov. It'll be another $200 from Jan-Mar, then again from Apr-June. Then in the summer it's soccer, summer arts camps, etc. I realize, of course, that many PS parents also get their kids involved in these things... but it's easier for them not to if they don't want to, IMO, because their kids can get sports, arts, etc for free through the school's extracurricular programs/classes. For us, homeschooling isn't cheap!
For me personally its the socialization part. I am NOT a social person and would be very happy not having to have play dates and regular meet ups with people. I am pretty anti social and when other people suggest coming over, going out or doing things other than what I originally intended (letting my KIDS be social) it makes me want to scream. My older daughter is like me, not very social at all but my little one is what my mom calls a social butterfly. Homeschooling has forced me to be more social, and I really dont like it.
I found a con of homeschooling today. We were trying to do a science experiment that involved a cup of water. One of our cats jumped up on the table and started to drink our experiment. I doubt public school teachers have problems like that! LOL Angie, I was shocked when I read you pay $170 for Cub Scouts. We live in a fairly low income area and have trouble getting people to pay $45 and that is only enough to cover our registration expenses (not awards, craft supplies or any activities).
Yeah, and that money doesn't even stay with the local pack. That's the required Scouts Canada registration fee, and it all goes to them. It's sad, really. The local leaders are responsible to pay for craft supplies, snacks, etc themselves. Our Beaver group sells cheese and does bottle drives to earn extra money. Not sure yet what the Cubs do, if anything.
I can relate to this. When our DS starts an extracurricular activity I'm going to be spending alot of time w/ the other parents around us. I'd like to be social, but I get nervous and shy around others. lol
The only real con I can think of is the burden on the parents (or mom). I mean, homeschooling is a major commitment!! I have very little time to myself and being on one income gets a little old sometimes. I feel very busy day in, day out with no real break. I get weary sometimes. But overall I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything!
I agree with the behaviour being shaped by peers bit...I've got a nose picker here to and often thought a couple of days in a classroom would cure him of that. Also, the lack of group discussion and group activities. I know some homeschoolers haave co-ops and such but we're out in the boonies and the closest homeschooling family is 30 minutes away. I firmly believe that homeschooling has many cons. But all decisions in life do and I'd rather deal with the cons of homeschooling then the cons of school.
Our cons are STATE REGULATIONS ~the cost on one income ~only one car and dh works to far away to justify taking him to work so we can us it for field trips ~ not having a school room at home and not having enough space ~ not having much of a library ~ not knowing what curriculum to buy or what will be the best fit (to much to choose from) ~the fear that I won't teach them every thing they need to know ~STATE REGULATIONS, oh I already said that one. LOL With all of that said the pros outway the cons anyday, and I am SOOOOO very thankful to my Lord that I get to HS and be with my boys 24/7.
OT, but Sonita, our Pack pays the $15 national registration fee (it went up from $12.50 this year) and we have all the boys get the Boys Life subscription plus we supply the book, neckerchief and slide. That's why our registration fee is $45 and that's our exact cost. All other expenses are paid for by popcorn sales or by the leaders (me!) and some activities are pay-as-you-go.
hey, one thing I would add to the nose picker msgs, lol, things that would cause other kids to put down or label kids is one of the things I don't want happening to my kids.. I have worked hard for them to have a 'somehat normal' personality, life etc, I want them to fit in in any group safely. I say safely because I don't want my kid picked on if he should pick his nose or have a greasy complexion. I have seen kids distroyed for this behavior, even in the last year I saw the opposite as well. A teen had a horrible eating disorder, the kids in said teens class encouraged her to eat and to feel good about herself by encouraging everyone around her as well. Instead of being the self outcast student by the end of the school year she was thriving, looking healthy instead of a walking dead looking kid. She even began wearing colors she had not worn before! We all gave her tons of attention, the students and teachers . Take second student, over eater. Not tooo bad since this one is a boy and at his age it is acceptable to over eat on occasion, this student was trying to use this as his personality thing to get accepted with the 'in crowd'. So he bragged about how many sandwiches he ate etc. he was shamed by a couple of his classmates and I saw this sweet boy become a hurt, rude individual to get back at them, up to the point that he had a speaking part that allowed him to share what it was like to be him. The whole class sat silent and actually took stock of what was being said. One student continued to tease and torment him but the rest of the group started encouraging him as well. I pray for these kids because some are still there, but the worst of them have moved on to another school.. another crowd. That peer pressure can be a pro, or a con true, but just how far it goes worries me.
I would also like to share another con...... I have an older sister who "homeschooled" her two boys. She failed them...failed them miserably. They are now 30 year olds who don't know how many inches are in a foot, can barely read, were never taught the value of truth, honesty, hard work, etc. Neither can hold a job.....nor can they even get a job at this point. Now, granted, she would have failed them whether they were in public school or homeschool........ but she was able to "hide" in homeschool. She should have been charged with educational neglect and had the kids taken away from her. My family knows first hand what homeschool failure looks like....... The biggest con of homeschooling, I think, is that people can hide. I don't want more regulations....but I think there has to be some. unfortunately. I've also heard, through a friend, of a homeschooling family somewhere in TN/GA that isn't doing anything with their kids and is too busy running a porn studio. I wonder if the kids will take up the family business.
These have been said, but the biggies for me are not enough Mom time, and dealing with the negative attitudes of others. Why do people feel the need to grill me on my decision to homeschool. I don't grill them on their decision to PS.
I just thought of a BIG con, when we get started back, I won't be able to spend near as much time here at the Spot. That might be a pro, for some. LOL
We've homeschooled from the beginning and our oldest is now an adult, and we've been in homeschool leadership for 16 years, so I've talked to a lot of homeschool moms. The biggest con I hear about, hands-down is that it is nearly impossible to keep you house clean. Forget clean. Reasonably orderly. Well, how about functional? We're just all too busy actually living life to clean the house Melanie
Thanks so much ladies for all your input, I'm writing the post now-hope to have it up Monday or Tuesday.
Ok, I have got one! How about all of the people who think just because you stay at home you can "do this" or "do that", watch their children because you have yours all day anyway, Do favors for others regarding your time....as if we don't really have a full time job homeschooling our kids. People expecting you can drop everything because you are "flexible".
