Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

Are you looking for a list of the pros and cons of homeschooling? I made a list of things I thought would be an advantage of homeschooling as well as the disadvantages of homeschooling.

Below are the exact words of the FIRST list of the pros and cons of homeschooling I ever made, before I actually started. At the time, my girls were in K and 2nd grade at the local public school. Now nearly five years into our journey, I've realized that my idea of the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling have changed significantly. Some things I considered cons were easily dealt with or elimated altogether. Some pros that I didn't count on have been added.

If you are just starting out with your research, you may identify with some or all of these. Again, these pros and cons of homeschooling are specific to my personal situation, but the ideas will get you started on a list of your own. Stay tuned for an updated list from "the other side" of the decision...

Reasons to Start Homeschooling

1. The kids won't be as tired because I won't have to drag them out of bed everyday at 6:45...I can still get up and get some things done and they get the rest they need.

2. The homeschool group here is very big and has alot of activities for the kids to interact socially.

3. Sarah is much less onery in the morning when she is rested.

4. They will learn to be responsible for getting ready and getting chores done in the morning before school time. Right now, it they don't finish, I have 2 choices...the are late for school or they don't do them. This always results in conflict. If school is at home, and they don't finish and they are late, school just lasts later in the day and can be assigned an extra chore after "school" is finished. They'll have time because they won't be in school all day.

5. I won't spend and hour on the road every day just dropping off and picking up.

6. They will not be exposed to as many germs.

7. We can do so much cool stuff with a 2:1 student/teacher ratio.

8. We can work on manners all the time. At school, they are not required to say "ma'am" and "sir". They had good table manners until they went to school, now they are going downhill.

9. I don't like the song they learned on the playground about a boy grabbing your hips and kissing on the lips. (You need to hear it from a 5 year old to get the full effect.)

10. We can have more control over who they are friends with. The will not be losing any friends by leaving school. Look at who they played with in their free time in the past. Neighborhood kids, dance friends, mom's club friends, church friends. The kids they met at school were never on their list of people they wanted to have over.

11. Going to the store can be a learning experience. They can help with the list and the coupons. They are too tired after school.

12. Their time will be used wisely. Rather than waiting for "girl" to open her book, or "boy" to count to ten, or standing in line for the bathroom, they can be learning.

13. We'll have time to read library books they check out.

14. I won't feel guilty about having them help around the house. I feel bad making them do stuff when they have been at school all day and haven't had a chance to play.

15. They can go outside when it's nice rather than having to sit in a classroom with one small window.

16. I'm sure I'll think of more, but this is a start.

As I look back on this list, I laugh because I can think of SO many more benefits to homeschooling....

My cons of homeschooling list is written a little differently. It's questions I came up with when I asked myself to think about what the bad things about homeschooling might be.

1. Will I go crazy being with my kids all the time?

Maybe.

2. Will they be socially adjusted?

I hope so.

3. What if someone pitches a fit and doesn't want to do an assignment?

That's a tough one.

Again, I have to laugh when I read through these pros and cons of homeschooling lists. I really didn't have the answers for what I thought would be the negative effects of homeschooling, but in my mind the pros outweighed the cons. As I said before, my list of the pros and cons of homeschooling has changed over the years, and I hope to post my new list soon. Stay tuned!

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