Homeschooling Pros and Cons
With the popularity of homeschooling growing yearly, you may be considering this educational option for yourself. The reasons that people homeschool are as unique as the people making the decisions, but some of the common things that drive families to the decision include:
- Bullying
- A child’s educational needs not being met within their current school
- A desire to instill a specific worldview
- To provide the flexibility for a child to pursue his/her passion
- Concerns over school safety
This can be a difficult decision to make, and it can be helpful to find out the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling. Knowing what to expect as a first-time homeschooler can make a big difference, so, we have developed a homeschooling pros and cons list to aid you in your decision.
Pros of Homeschooling
- Flexibility: This is one of the main reasons why parents choose to homeschool. Since parents have choice of curriculum, there is complete freedom in how to teach and what to teach. If your child has a particular interest, you can spend time developing it. Some parents may have a particular value-system they want to incorporate, and others may have a child with special needs who needs a customized approach. One day you could be writing letters with sidewalk chalk, then visiting your local science museum the next. The benefit of homeschooling is that the possibilities are endless!
- Free time: Similar to flexibility, parents and children who homeschool have no need to follow the strict routine that traditional schools set. There is now the opportunity to take vacations in the off-season, or even change the months that are spent schooling. Appointments don’t require special notice to a school, and children can learn at a time of day that works best for them.
- Effective learning: Without a classroom of 20-30 children, there aren’t a million different distractions. You and your child have the complete ability to move through material quickly or slow down if you need to. The overall quality of education increases when a child learns in a one-to-one environment, especially when learning style is taken into consideration. There’s also far less busy work that holds children back or takes up excess time.
- Relationship-building: Homeschooling means being present for practically every milestone your child will experience. There is no missing out on pivotal moments in your student’s childhood, because you are spending it together. Beyond that, the bond that develops between a parent and child during the schooling process is one of the strongest.
- College readiness and success: A common misconception about homeschooling is that students are unable to get into college. However, Ivy League universities are actually recruiting homeschool students because of their higher success rates in college. During the application process, being homeschooled helps a student stand out.
- Independence and maturity: When students are homeschooled, their success is in their hands. Parents can give their children assignments to complete on their own time, requiring responsibility. Homeschoolers are accountable because they are in control of their own education. Additionally, older homeschoolers have the opportunity to start working and earning money while still in school.
- Socialization: Another misconception about homeschooling is that there aren’t many opportunities for socialization. With homeschool support groups, state homeschool associations, field trips, and sports programs, there are plenty of opportunities for homeschoolers to interact with peers. Additionally, problems like bullying are less of an issue if you choose to homeschool.
Welcome to Homeschooling Guide
Download this FREE resource where experienced homeschoolers share their stories for how to begin homeschooling, understanding your child academically, planning your days, and much more.
Cons of Homeschooling
- Anxiety: When a parent first entertains the idea of homeschooling, their first instinct is to ask, “Can I even do this?” Certainly, taking your child’s education into your own hands can feel overwhelming. And, in the beginning, you’ll wonder if you are doing enough, doing it right, or even doing your child a disservice. This concern is perfectly normal, and actually indicates something really positive: that you want the best possible education for your child!
- Adjustment period: For parents who are thinking about transitioning their child from traditional school to homeschool, the process can seem stressful. Figuring out your curriculum choices, schedules, and activities can be a lot when you’re first starting out. Additionally, the longer your child has spent in traditional schooling, the harder it might be to begin homeschooling. It will take some time to move from a rigid classroom mindset to the realization that you have the freedom to create your own customized learning environment.
- Lifestyle change: Many families who homeschool have to make difficult financial decisions. It can mean moving from two incomes to one or exploring options for working from home. While this may pose a financial challenge, it can also be a large lifestyle change to get used to.
- Cost: This could potentially be a disadvantage of homeschooling, but might also be an advantage. In comparison to a public school, it can cost more to homeschool your child, depending on your curriculum choice. Yet, there are also plenty of free resources, such as unit study supplements or even trips to the library. The cost of a homeschooling experience varies from family to family.
Online Homeschooling with Time4Learning
Making the decision to homeschool is a complex one, and you may feel anxious about the switch. At Time4Learning, we offer an online curriculum for PreK-12th grade that can ease families into the homeschooling process. It is perfect for homeschooling, or even afterschool and summer learning use. Our program is completely web-based and can be accessed 24/7. Our curriculum is student-paced and makes learning fun. Parents have access to lesson plans, worksheets, reports, and have control over what their student is learning.
Other key features of the program:
- Students get individual logins and work on their own schedule and pace
- Parents can set the grade level independently for each subject
- The grade above and below are available in most grades for review and additional study
- Detailed lesson previews are available for parents who wish to review lesson contents
- Access to an online playground that rewards and motivates
- An automated system grades lessons and keeps reports for homeschool portfolio usage
- Sign up and get started on the same day!
Time4Learning offers a 14-day money-back guarantee and the ability to start, stop, or pause anytime. Browse lesson plans, try the interactive lesson demos, read reviews, or view the curriculum overview to see what’s available!
See what parents are saying…
By Shelby
“…It’s definitely made transitioning from public school to homeschooling much simpler for both of us.”
