Homeschooling versus private school

[Roseslipper]

I have no children, but my best friend does and she started to home school she didnt know if she would do it til k12 or not, but she did. Ive posted this before. My gf was a straight a student high iq. etc. home schooling is not for everyone. but if u want to do this there is help out there. There are home school groups. and if u are weak in an area, maybe u can get another mother that home schools to help you in that area. Your child will also be tested from the school board, to see if there keeping up with child of there age,and in most cases home taught children are way furture ahead the school taught children. You can make learning fun. It is alot of work. But you can do it. As far a the social thing. You can enroll your child in sports, plays, boyscouts, brownies, etc. They dont need to sit in a class for 7 hrs. But again its not for everyone. It is a wonderful option.

[mychildrensmother]

IN a natural learning style yes we are. My 2 eldest are still at school but my 5 and 2 year old are at home.

[dannysong]

I think private school would be more beneficial. The environment of a boarding high school is safe, secure and supportive. Students are not free to wander off and mix with the wrong crowd. There are plenty of wholesome activities within the school and lots of things for the students to do. Click here to get a more detailed view.

A question for you homeschoolers. How do you feel your children do socially being taught at home as compaired to public school? We choose to send my son to public school because we felt he needs more social interaction with others his own age. He is an only child.

[Vort]

Originally Posted by FixingTheWrongs

A question for you homeschoolers. How do you feel your children do socially being taught at home as compaired to public school? We choose to send my son to public school because we felt he needs more social interaction with others his own age. He is an only child.

My socialization in public schools consisted of learning such lessons as: cowering from bullies; using filthy language; witnessing pornographic discourse and imagery in locker rooms and on buses; objectifying others, especially females; condemning any opinion that does not sit with the majority; in summation, observing the very worst of human nature played out in the microcosm of school.

My children, who are all homeschooled, are light-years ahead of most others in social interaction and in basic kindness toward and tolerance of others. They are comfortable in most social situations and relate well to children and adults of all ages. They refuse to participate in much of the scummy actions of their same-age friends, yet manage not to alienate those friends.

The socialization idea is the most common, and also most bogus, argument raised in opposition to homeschooling. There well may be some valid reasons why homeschooling is not the best option -- I haven't found them, but I grant they may exist -- but socialization is not one of them.

[Dravin]

The socialization idea is the most common, and also most bogus, argument raised in opposition to homeschooling. There well may be some valid reasons why homeschooling is not the best option -- I haven't found them, but I grant they may exist -- but socialization is not one of them.

I think it comes up from the preconception of a home schooled child as someone locked in the house and never interacting with anyone except their parents (and possibly siblings). Which would be bad, and while some examples of it probably exist, it's not some sort of forgone conclusion where home school equals isolation (anymore than public school equals well adjusted socialization).

[Jenamarie]

Socialization is the *least* of my worries. My kids socialize with their siblings and their parents every day. They have friends in Primary, they play with the neighbor kids, my oldest is in ballet, and my second will be starting Kung Fu soon. We've also done swim lessons and playgroups. They have lots of time to spend with their age-peers. They also go with me on all my errands during the day and talk to the check-out person, the librarian, the Pediatritian, the mailman at the post-office, etc. They're just as likely to strike up a conversation with an adult, or someone much younger than they are, as they are with someone their own age. They're learning how to function in a multi-aged society.

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Originally Posted by FixingTheWrongs

How do you feel your children do socially being taught at home as compaired to public school?

Heh - quick answer - you just asked a bunch of fish if they worry about their children getting enough water.

Long answer - here's what this week brings for my two homeschooled kids:
* 5 group enrichment classes at the co-op held at the local mega-church
* One full day of Homeschool Academy through the school district
* Flag football 2x/wk for one kid
* Thai Kickboxing for the other kid
* Church
* Girl's activity night
* Almost daily interaction with the one neighbor's 10 homeschooled kids, and the other neighbor's 4+ homeschooled kids
* Work picnic on Saturday

We've had to struggle to get the entire family around the dinner table every night. It won't be happening tonight. I barely have time to play half a game of risk with my 10 yr old.

There was a study a few years back, showing that homeschooling kids got more socialization than their public school counterparts (measured in terms of extracurricular activities and clubs and whatnot).

Yeah, the "homeschoolers are all sheltered behind tinfoil-plated windows" image doesn't really reflect reality these days.

And to Vort's point, I was an only child sent to public school. I was (and am) an introvert. For a year or two in middle-school, I prided myself at going entire days without using my voice even once. I excelled at being invisible and totally unnoticed. And it wasn't very hard at all.

Points taken. Thanks for the insight. Maybe we'll reexamine our decision.

[JessiePadGirl]

My daughter is just 18 months now, but I always have known I would homeschool. My husband was to slow to agree, but once I explained what homeschooling is really like, he agrees it would be best. Of course, as I was never homeschooled, I don't know firsthand, but I'm always researching.

Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for all the valuable advice!