Torn on Whether to Homeschool or Not

[luvatlax]

Hello! I am completely new to homeschooling and only recently started considering it a year or so ago when my older daughter was struggling (socially) in school and begging me to homeschool her. While I had never considered homeschool as an option for my children, I looked into it to appease my older daughter and was so intrigued that I ended up not enrolling her younger sister in a preschool program this school year and have kept her younger sister at home with me to see what homeschooling would be like. Of course, my older daughter is now perfectly happy at public school. :) I am torn, however, as my younger daughter just turned five and is eligible to start kindergarten in August... But I'd love to continue homeschooling her for her kindergarten year (at least). We've had so much fun so far this year! We've kept things pretty "light", but she's picked up everything so easily and it's been a joy to teach her! To get out of the house, we go to a few different classes every week, but, unfortunately, I think she will be too old for those classes next year as they are geared toward the preschool crowd. Which is where my concern starts to creep in... Academically, I feel we will be fine if I continue to homeschool her (and possibly better off than if she were in public school as I feel I could start to accelerate her where applicable - her older sister is advanced academically and I feel she may be too). Socially, I feel we will be lacking. She has asked to go to "big school", but says she only wants to go there to play. She does have my older daughter and also my step-daughter (who lives full-time with us) around, but they are both in their early teens. There is a co-op in our area, but it's only one day a week (and kind of negates the reason I am keeping her home, but may be great for a social outlet). I don't want to deny my youngest daughter the chance to experience "real" school, especially since she's asked about it, but at the same time homeschooling feels like such a good fit! Is it normal to feel like this?! Like I said, I am torn!

[Coco_Clark]

Find other local homeschoolers. Look on FB, check out that co-op (even just for the social plug), search for conventions or homeschool sales in your area. Homeschoolers do not have to suffer socially. My homeschoolers tend to have better social lives than my ps'ers.

[Ellie]

Hello! I am completely new to homeschooling and only recently started considering it a year or so ago when my older daughter was struggling (socially) in school and begging me to homeschool her. While I had never considered homeschool as an option for my children, I looked into it to appease my older daughter and was so intrigued that I ended up not enrolling her younger sister in a preschool program this school year and have kept her younger sister at home with me to see what homeschooling would be like. Of course, my older daughter is now perfectly happy at public school. :) I am torn, however, as my younger daughter just turned five and is eligible to start kindergarten in August... But I'd love to continue homeschooling her for her kindergarten year (at least). We've had so much fun so far this year! We've kept things pretty "light", but she's picked up everything so easily and it's been a joy to teach her! To get out of the house, we go to a few different classes every week, but, unfortunately, I think she will be too old for those classes next year as they are geared toward the preschool crowd. Which is where my concern starts to creep in... Academically, I feel we will be fine if I continue to homeschool her (and possibly better off than if she were in public school as I feel I could start to accelerate her where applicable - her older sister is advanced academically and I feel she may be too). Socially, I feel we will be lacking. She has asked to go to "big school", but says she only wants to go there to play. She does have my older daughter and also my step-daughter (who lives full-time with us) around, but they are both in their early teens. There is a co-op in our area, but it's only one day a week (and kind of negates the reason I am keeping her home, but may be great for a social outlet). I don't want to deny my youngest daughter the chance to experience "real" school, especially since she's asked about it, but at the same time homeschooling feels like such a good fit! Is it normal to feel like this?! Like I said, I am torn!

 

Well, you know, on a homeschool forum, people are most likely going to encourage you to homeschool. :-)

 

And honestly, I don't know what is so great about a child "experiencing real school."

 

There might be a support group in your area--not a co-op, but a support group, with park days (if you live where the weather allows for that) or field trips or other social activities (and maybe something for the parents, as well). That's what I'd look for first.

Edited January 28, 2016 by Ellie

[ForeverFamily]

Welcome, I am so glad you found this forum it has made a huge difference for me on my homeschooling journey. First off I highly recommend you read the book "The Well Trained Mind" by Susan Wise Bauer, it had a huge impact on my confidence to homeschool. I have yet to read it myself ( I hope to soon), but I have also heard very good things about the book "For The Children's Sake."

 

I think every homeschooler goes through the doubts that you described.

 

Will I be doing my child a disservice by denying him/her a "real" school experience?

It is true that if your child homeschools all the way through your child will probably not experience school in a classroom setting. They won't experience waking up early, sitting in a classroom with a bunch of kids the same age for 6-8 hours a day, standing in a lunch line, asking for permission to use the bathroom, coming home with homework. No really, there are a few positives about going to "real" school that they would miss. But if they go to school they will also miss out on the many positives of homeschooling. To name just a few...getting enough sleep, short lessons, no busy work, no waiting for crowd control, ability to go at ones own pace, study what you are interested in, use the bathroom when needed, get a drink or snack when wanted, more time with mom/family, more field trips, more time out in the real world, more free time to socialize, more free time period. There are positives and negatives of both options, either way your child will miss out on something, you need to honestly ask yourself what positives matter the most to you. Once you figure that out you can most likely find a way to make up for what you are worried they will miss out on, in time you may discover those things really were not that important. I also suggest once you make your decision write down the reasons you chose what you did and put it somewhere safe, next time you doubt your decision, which I can guarantee will happen, get it back out and read through it.

 

Providing Social opportunities...

Homeschoolers often have more time to socialize then their public school peers. The harder part is providing opportunities to socialize with peers. Just remember socializing does not have to happen in the classroom. My kids get most of their socializing opportunities at church, church activities, neighborhood kids, and cousins. Also remember just because you homeschool does not mean socializing has to happen with other homeschoolers or during school hours. What about extra curricular activities like soccer, swimming, etc. You could also look into starting a homeschool playgroup, park day, low pressure mini science class, art class, PE class, etc. What about play dates, neighborhood friends, etc. ?

 

Like you I also decided to try homeschooling my oldest for preschool, then kindergarten, and because it has been such a success we have continued. I love the flexibility it provides our family. I have a hard time imagining being tied to a school schedule.

 

I myself attended public and private schools as well as homeschool. My fondest memories come from my homeschooling years, rarely do I look back at my public or private school days with fondness. In fact often the opposite. This is also one of the many reasons I homeschool. But not every family's needs are the same. Do what you feel will be most beneficial for your kids and family. Hope some of this has been helpful. I hope you are able to figure things out. And no matter what decision you make I hope you stick around the forum. :-)

Edited January 27, 2016 by ForeverFamily