Home Schooling

As is the case with just about anything in life, with the good also comes the bad, and while the benefits of home schooling definitely outweigh the negatives, there are certainly two sides to every story.

Here are both ends of the spectrum, both the good and the bad sides, so you can make an informed decision that will be best for your precious child and your household.

The Good Side of Home Schooling

School can often be a rather stressful place for children, which doesn't exactly allow for an environment that's conducive to learning. If a child is having trouble with bullies or similar stressful occurrences and other solutions have been exhausted, home schooling may be an option to definitely consider. And, stress rears its ugly head in other forms for teens and school aged children who have homework and negative influences from their peers to also deal with on a regular basis.

Beyond the safety, security, and having an environment that facilitates learning, it also creates the opportunity to learn not only better, but faster than their traditionally schooled peers. It is certainly not unheard of for a child to complete four years of high school in only two or three years, allowing them to continue on to higher education classes much sooner. And missing a class because of injuries or illness won't ever be an issue, nor will trying to get any of the work missed or worrying about making up tests.

Children who are home schooled are able to move past the constraints of the public school system, and its curriculum, by studying a diverse number of subjects and topics. In addition to the usual language arts, math, history, geography, and science, these children can also be taught the languages of their choosing, or explore electives like dance, music, or drama, for a few examples.

The Bad Side of Home Schooling

Home schooling your children will, obviously, require that at least one parent be there full time to teach and be completely involved in their child's education. Because of this, two income families may find it to be a bit difficult to manage.

It requires many things, but one of the most vital is patience. Having plenty of patience will be extremely important throughout your home schooling endeavors. It takes careful planning and consideration as well as the motivation to persevere, and remember that sacrificing your personal time will also be necessary. Even children who are independent learners need monitoring, structure, and guidance to succeed.

Socialization is another down side of home schooling not that it isn't possible, but rather it must be actively pursued. Parents can use group settings, sporting activities, and be creative in their home schooling endeavors in order to introduce children to people of all walks of life.

When it comes to home schooling your children, the hands-on approach is definitely recommended. If you aren't willing to give one hundred percent effort toward your child's education, then it may not be the best choice for them right now.