SmartHomeOwners

If you're seeking an alternative way to educate your children besides the public school system, home schooling may be the right answer.  Home schooling has become increasingly popular in recent years, with a growth rate of 7 to 15 percent each year! 

It's amazing how many parents choose to home school their children, considering it's not an easy task.  Many choose to do so because they disagree with the teaching methods of the public school systems.  Some simply want to have more interaction with their child and be involved with their child's learning.  Still others enjoy the challenge of teaching their children and helping them reach important leaning milestones in their life.  Consider the following advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Home Schooling

Whatever the reason parents choose to home school, there are a number of advantages.  Home schooling opens the door wide for you to choose the type of curriculum for your child.  You can choose Christian-based curriculum or many other types.  Many types of curriculum tend to be a bit more advanced than that of public schools.  Another advantage is your child can learn at his own pace.  Although you must keep a schedule to stay on target for the year, home schooling can be somewhat laid back when it comes to finishing certain subjects "on time" or before the year's end.  If your child is struggling in a subject, you can take extra time to work on that subject while leaving the easier subjects alone for a few days.  Home schooling allows you to be flexible so your child can take time to learn what's necessary to get a passing grade.

Home schooling also provides protection for your child.  You can keep him home with you instead of risking the bad influences of school - bullying, drugs, alcohol, sex, etc.  Children are exposed to many of these things through friends at school...and the parents have no control over it!  If you're like most parents, you would rather be in control of who your child's friends are and what he's exposed to on a daily basis.

Although home schooling can be hectic at times, it can also provide more time to spend with family.  You can work through a schedule that allows for family time during the day or in the evenings...without assigning hours of homework.  This helps stabilize the family environment while giving your child time for rest and enjoyment.  Home schooling is also a much cheaper alternative than private school.  Some children prefer to go to a private school while others enjoy the freedom and relaxed schedule of home schooling.  If your child is the latter, then home schooling will definitely save you thousands of dollars per year.  The books for home schooling are generally from $250 to $600 depending on the curriculum, grade level, and extras.

A Few Disadvantages

Home schooling does have a few disadvantages.  You and your child may begin to feel secluded and isolated from friends when home schooling. You can help with this by taking your child on field trips, interacting with other home school families and getting your child involved in an outside activity or sport (Boy/Girl Scouts, community baseball, etc.). 

Another disadvantage is if both parents work, it will be difficult to stay on schedule unless you hire someone to help with school work during the day.  You must be careful in doing so, however, because there may be laws in place to prevent this.  If a family member can help out with school while babysitting...that would be a lifesaver!

Home schooling is definitely a great alternative to public and private schools if you wish to be more involved in your child's life and education!