Should I homeschool my child

Home schooling has been a debatable topic for many, many years and will still continue to be as such. Why, you may ask, is it so debatable? My feeling is that parents have too many choices for education. There are private schools, public schools, distance teaching programs, online education and the list goes on. It is not yet considered the norm for a parent to home school their child. In fact, there are some who believe that children are at a disadvantage when schooled at home because they receive a so-called inferior type education when they are home schooled.

My four children each attended private and public schools, but the two younger ones were also taught by me in both private schools as well as a home school setting. With that said, I think I know somewhat about home schooling.

Many parents have considered homeschooling their children at some point, and only those who appear bold, or even radical, actually venture to do so. The reason that is so, is that the society has still not embraced the fact that parents do have such a right.

Why did I choose to home school?

As a teacher, I saw many inconsistencies in the school system, mostly administrative. Parents were not given what they were promised too often, and I felt they were being short changed without their knowledge. Perhaps even more, I was appalled at the negative influence some children had over the others. Apparently, some children had full control of their parents at home, and so they came to school with that attitude which was I am in control here, and don't you forget that. I had a big problem with that attitude, because the school systems did not seem to be able to adequately discipline such children. Unfortunately I witnessed how this attitude had a negative effect on many children, too often.

How to home school your child?

After deciding to home school your child, the next step is to:

1) Investigate the laws of your state concerning homeschooling, and do whatever is required.

In Maryland, my state, I had to visit the Board of Education, submit a written request for permission to home school my child, which included my choice of the curriculum. As soon as I got a written permission I did proceed. I had chosen the a beka curriculum for homeschooling. This was a fairly easy task for me, because I was already a teacher at the private school my children attended, I was already using the curriculum and I was familiar with the success rate.

2) Choose the curriculum and order the books that will be needed for home school.

Maintain a long lasting link with the publisher of the curriculum you have chosen. By doing so, you are likely to receive discounts, as well as tips to assist you with the homeschooling tasks.

I chose the a beka curriculum because of my familiarity with it and my confidence in it. I would also recommend it to any parent who decides to home school their children. It has a home school component which actually teaches parents how to home school, and how to be very successful at that. Therefore someone without a teaching background need not fear their competence in this venture. In addition, if children return to the school system, it is found that they actually are more advanced than children who have been in the school system, as was proven with my own children.

3) Decide where classes will be held e.g. the library, the living room or the dining room and stick to it.

Ensure that there are no distractions, such as the telephone, television or visitors during class time.

4) Make a workable plan to ensure that your goal is accomplished.

In other words, if the classes are to begin at 8:00 a.m., try to stick to that plan. Situations alter cases, but for the most part, stick to the plan, to ensure much time is not wasted. This was the most difficult task for me, and the main reason I had to allow my child to go back into the school system. You see, as a single parent, I had to ensure that the bills were being paid. I had a child care business in operation at home, but it was very, very, very difficult to devote an adequate amount of time to both child care and home school.

5) Do not procrastinate and do not encourage laziness.

This is extremely important, in that both the teacher/parent and student will have to maintain tremendous discipline, and stick to the schedule at hand. It is very easy to think, we have much time, we can do this later. The truth is procrastination is the thief of time, and if every effort is not made to stick to goals, not much will be accomplished.

6) Keep a record of the required tests and projects.

Children should be aware of the goals for the academic year. Parents need to ensure that the children are adequately prepared for impending quizzes, tests and projects. A record should also be kept in a safe place, showing their progress.

7) Ensure that your child goes on practical field trips.

Field trips should be planned as a practical way to teach specific topics. They should also be regular to prevent boredom to a routine of rote learning. Every effort should be made to plan trips with other home schoolers to encourage children to socialize with like-minded students.

8) Use teaching aides which will enlighten children and prevent boredom.

CDs, DVDs, Videos, television documentaries and many other forms make the classroom more appealing to children while they learn.

9) Try to link with other parents who home school their children.

This is very important, in that you can tag teach with other parents, and encourage each other. I did this with another parent who did not have much time on her hands. However, homeschooling was not very popular at the time I chose to do it, so I had a hard time locating like-minded parents. Fortunately, it appears to be more popular now, so libraries and other institutions now have home school friendly programs for children to participate in (at least in Maryland). In this way, children who are being home schooled have the opportunity to meet other home schoolers in their age group through specialized classes.

What are the advantages?

1) One great advantage of homeschooling is that there is usually a great bond between parent and child as they explore together the teaching and learning experience. There is also a great quantity and quality of time spent together that would never be achieved otherwise.

2) There is usually more productivity, since the distractions and behavior problems from other children in a classroom setting are reduced or eliminated, especially if only one child is being home schooled.

3) Parents have more control and are more knowledgeable of their child's academic progress. I had problems with the evolution concepts. Fortunately, the curriculum I chose complemented my views, so I did not have to be concerned about the information my child was receiving. Parents can also decide what emphasis they want for their children, which can be effective when children need to specialize in one area of expertise as they mature.

4) There is a reduction or elimination of the separation anxiety experienced by both parents and children when home school starts from kindergarten.

5) Parents have more control over who influences their child. This reduces the negative peer influences that help children determine their self- value.

6) Children usually cultivate positive study habits, a feeling of well-being, self-motivation and satisfaction as they accomplish their goals.

What are the disadvantages?

1) It can be extremely difficult to maintain the discipline required for both parents and children, especially if the parent is single and is the sole breadwinner. The parent may sometimes compromise their time in one way or another.

2) Even though the home school offers opportunities for the children to meet and socialize with other children, they are not usually exposed to a wide variety of personality types as is likely in the classroom setting. This may limit their ability to deal with various personalities as they mature. Although parents may pull out their children from the schools because of the negative influences, when they leave school, they may not be adequately prepared to deal with them.

3) It is very easy for the children to be bored and disinterested, if the parents do not make every effort to make the lessons interesting and captivating.

As can be seen, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. I wholeheartedly encourage parents, who are able, to choose to home school their children. The greatest deterrent to making that decision is, I think, the fear of not being able to make enough money to pay the bills, while maintaining the integrity of the home school process. However, it can be done, and both parents and children are continuing to reap the benefits of that decision. It has been said that there is nothing to fear, but fear itself. I tend to agree.