Christianity Oasis Forum

[Lionhearted]

Why Home Schooling?

Homeschooling has been growing in popularity in recent years - and that popularity will only continue to grow. Just why has home education become such a big trend, and what's driving its phenomenal growth?

There is controversy over home schooling. For every expert that claims the benefits, there are people who say it's not beneficial for our children... however the benefits greatly outweigh any of the "problems" cited by experts. Because of this many families are choosing to home school.

Family ties are an important bond, and many families choose to home school simply because they want to be together. Many would argue that the amount of time that parents and children spend apart from each other in our modern day is not natural - and it's really not good for our children. Parents don't want to hand their children off for eight to twelve hours every day. After all, they decided to have children so they could raise them, not lease them out to a school to be raised up.

Home education automatically brings children closer to their parents (or parent or another relative.) Parents must spend a lot of time focused on the needs of their children - and focusing on their children themselves.

Parents and children get the opportunity to listen to each other and learn to effectively communicate with one another. Children also get to see adult interaction on a level that's often missing from traditional classroom environments. They're able to accompany their parents on errands, on work projects, and to do volunteer work in the community. This gives them a chance to socialize and learn to communicate effectively with other people. They also learn to speak, to listen, and to be respectful of others.

Home schooling tends to be very safe. There's little worry about children being shot, mugged, or sexually assaulted while under the care of their parents. This is a real concern for many public school children.

Not only do these worries exist, other, more common worries exist. Bullying, teasing, and peer pressure are very alive and well. In fact, some children are unable to learn because they spend their days in fear of bullies. Other children learn that they're not as good as the "popular" kids, and give up on dreams because they'll never "fit in."

Home schooled children aren't completely immune to such things because chances are they'll spend some time with other children and may come in contact with these things. However, that time will be greatly limited and they'll be free from those worries while they're trying to work.

Public schools are often overcrowded and lack funding and supplies needed for children. Children may not be able to concentrate due to crowded classrooms; teachers may not be able to teach every student effectively. Students who are advanced are forced to slow down to "average" and students who need more help are overlooked and left behind.

A home school environment can be tailored to where each individual child is at in their learning. If your child is advanced you can feel free to move ahead and explore subjects at the level your child is at. If you child needs extra help you can easily slow down and meet your child where he's at.

These are some of the basic "why's" of choosing home education for your child. There are many, many more - it's a great option for many families and results in well-education, well-rounded children.

By Kristen Burgess

[lizzie]

I thoroughly enjoyed this post lioness .

I am one who will def consider homeschooling for my kids, as its very scary out there now, and for those who are able to, I think being able to supervise what your child is being taught and make sure they are safe is awesome. Not to mention having em nearby to hug durin the day... whats better than that

Thank you sis
Love u lots

[Lionhearted]

as its very scary out there now,

You know what I find strange, is that its scary ... all over the place, where school is concerned. It's not just one country or one socio-economic level.

and for those who are able to,

The hardest part for us, being able to, was wrapping our minds around the decision to give up the second income and all that came with it and being willing to live within the lifestyle of the one income.

[lizzie]

Nope, its just as ridiculous where I am at. The schools are scary, and u almost always hear of some type of violence or the other, even some teachers I know hate goin to work because they are actually scared of some of the kids! imagine that...

[Lionhearted]

five true stories lizzers:

first: my mom was going through for her teaching degree (and this was 20 years ago) ... wouldn't finish because of the direction the board of education was taking the schools ... not holding kids accountable; when she started doing her practical part at the secondary schools ... it scared her!! (kingston, ontario)

second: good friends of mine (i'll call them M & D) she home schools their 4 kids, he's a teacher at a christian school; she was preg and ended up needing bed rest for the last 3 months and she struggled with guilt and hubby said, our kids are better off here doing next to nothing, then in the christian school

[Jonelle]

Hello,

I have thought about home schooling my kids, but I work 8 hours from Monday to Friday. Is home schooling best for parents that don't have to work?

[Dora]

Hi Jonelle,

I have friends who work and home school.

The kids sleep in and do the school work when mom gets home.

I personally haven't experienced this. Hope someone who has will post here for you.

I've heard of computer programs that do all the work for you but are rather expensive. $1,500 per school year, per student. Maybe there's cheaper ones out there.