I was homeschooled for elementary and middle school ages. It went okay in elementary when my parents were more involved and helped us to stay connected with other people. Actually, I think that was good for me and helped me to learn to take charge of my own learning as a core part of who I am.

Middle school grades sucked because I didn't have hardly any friends, didn't have enough parental guidence, and what friends I had, I lost. And on all three counts, do you want to know why? Simple: a church fucked us over. (long, icky story; I should have realized that that was a fundamental problem with Christian Churches—not just that one—a long time ago.)

Anyway, I think homeschooling can be done fine. But it depends on the kids and the parents, and public school can still be ok. In my opinion, I think it's easier for homeschooling to be incredibly great or an absolute crap-shoot than public/private/charter school.

A few points to consider. Parent and child can learn together. If the parent does not know a particular subject area very well they can study with their child. You can switch off with another parent if they have better skills in an area that you are lacking. Socialization is not an issue since there are so many coops people can join. I am a Montessori teacher with a master's in Sped. I have had all kinds of students. And one thing I know is it is more your approach and attitude to learning than anytning your taught that really matters.

I think tbe parents are crazy to do it, but given a actual curriculum that is actually followed with appropriate social activities homeschooling can be good for kids.

However, that's rarely what happens. Homeschooling is often another way to say "can't be bothered by our kids".

Wow. I didn't expect to see so many responses down on homeschool. So, I actually am a homeschooling parent. One who wants to teach my kid science and history. Obviously, there is no religious motivation. He is an extrovert's extrovert (much like his mama) and would shrivel and die without lots of social interaction, which he gets.

Pros:

• You can help your child tailor their education to their interests. I.e. You have a budding zoologist? Hit the biology hard, and early. Don't neglect everything else, but tailor to their interests.
• Flexible schedule. Vacation off peak if you want. Take school with you, or don't.
• Work with your child's natural learning pace. Making huge strides in reading right now? Follow that and catch up on math later.
• At the high school level you can take advantage of dual enrollment, and help your kid be ahead of the curve if a 4 year degree is their goal.
• More Time with your kid.
• Teach accurate history and science. Being native American, I was very worried about my son getting a whitewashed version of history. But, he isn't.
• Choose the curriculum that works best for your kid.
• If your kid does have a learning difference (realized my son is dyslexic halfway the second grade, nearly two years earlier than it's normally caught), you can catch it early and get intervention in place immediately.
• No peer pressure. Your kid gets to be their authentic self.
• Most experienced homeschool parents are willing to help newbies learn the ropes and offer lots of support.

Cons:

• It's all on you.
• I repeat. It's. All. On. You.
• So much time with your kids.
• Lots of ignorant fucks have opinions about how your child should be educated, and they want to tell you all about it.
• It's so easy to be lazy.
• You have to seek out social activities and tutors for areas where you're not so strong. Recognizing your own weaknesses takes a strong sense of self awareness.
• Everything is a trade between time and money. It's expensive, you just have to choose your currency.

For me, the pros totally outweigh the cons. We have a great secular co-op, so my son has tons of social opportunities. There are plenty of little art classes available locally and he's involved in sports and cub scouts. I personally have made some of my best friends in the last few years through our homeschool community.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact me.

It depends on the reasons why you choose to homeschool. I am a teacher and private tutor and have had many homeschooled students. Most were just fine, socialized through activities with other homeschoolers and were learning. A few had some issues, social, learning disabilities etc. If you do it right you can really give your child a fabulous experience. But not everyone can do it

It depends on the reasons why you choose to homeschool. I am a teacher and private tutor and have had many homeschooled students. Most were just fine, socialized through activities with other homeschoolers and were learning. A few had some issues, social, learning disabilities etc. If you do it right you can really give your child a fabulous experience. But not everyone can do it

Home schooled people are generally about as dumb as a box of rocks. All of this home schooling started as a "special needs" thing and then the religious got ahold of it. They can't stand that someone will teach their kids science. The poor child doesn't learn until much too late that they have been fed a bunch of bullshit. Imagine the shock of that.

My evangelical brother and his wife xtian-homeschooled all five kids(1still at home)...for two of the kids, they had huge social adjustment problems in the first months in college. My nephew quit and moved away, is much happier now. My niece is so withdrawn, she never spoke to her roommate in college, and refused to go back for a second semester.
Their goal in homeschooling was to keep out all secular influence and teach the Bible-or their cherry-picked parts of it. I see it as abusive. My nephew actually had PTSD and severe depression. He attempted suicide once; they prayed for him. Second attempt, my parents were present and got him the help he needed.
I’m sure others have different experiences with it, but I view homeschooling as negative.