What do you think of homeschooling?

May 3rd, 2010 / 4 Comments

Inspired by the article on 10 Controversial Parenting Tips, here is my take at #2 of the 10 hot button issues of parenting. (Read the #1 issue on co-sleeping.)

Homeschooling: “When it comes to home schooling, advocates tend to be strongly in favor of it, while opponents say we should allow teachers to learn how to best educate school children.”

Homeschooling is not a choice that many parents choose. We’ve been conditioned to think that “education” is best done by the so call “experts”, and we automatically send our children to school.

I had a fleeting thought of homeschooling my children. But I dismissed it, thinking that I wouldn’t be able to handle the demands, and that I might deprive my children of a “quality education.” At the time, I didn’t have any friends who homeschooled, and only heard about it from Focus on the Family.

In retrospect, I wish I had researched more. I think I might have given it a try. Talking to parents now who homeschool, I believe my children would’ve benefited if I homeschooled.

Homeschooling is not a means to overprotect our children. It is to give them more opportunities than what the outside school can provide. Schools cannot beat the one-on-one attention you give to your child. With 20 to 30 children in a class, schools simply cannot adjust to the interest and rate of learning of your child that you as a parent can in homeschooling.

Whether or not homeschooling works depends quite a lot on the personalities of the parent and the child. Much like choosing a coach or a tutor, there is the personality element as well as the proficiency element to consider. One child might do better homeschooled and the sibling might do better in public/private school.

I think it’s a good idea for parents to at least consider the homeschooling option. It may or may not be right for them, but you wouldn’t know until you give it a look.