Why homeschool your child?

So many people ask the question 'Why do you homeschool? ' of my sister and brother. Three and a half years ago they made the decision to homeschool their children. When discussing this with each other and trying to figure out how to make it work since they all have full time jobs, they decided to ask me to tutor the children while they were at work and then they would see that all assignments were finished.

Quality Education

They biggest reason they choose to homeschool is that they want their children to get a quality education. We feel that the public schools are not up to par.

By homeschooling the children are being taught one on one. With this kind of attention, they are excelling in their work and completing their assignments without having to do five hours of homework every evening. This also gives them time to 'just be kids'.

Health Issues

One of my nieces was diagnosed with ADHD. We knew that there was a problem - she couldn't concentrate, she 'rattled', the least little thing would distract her, she was extremely hyper. My sister took her to a specialist who diagnosed her with ADHD. THe first thing this specialist questioned my sister about was school. She highly recommended home shooling for my niece.

My nephew has asthma. They have had to rush him to the hospital several times. He also is allergic to almost everything (literally). Homeschooling for him has meant that he doesn't get behind on his school assignments because his mother knows what they are without having to drive to school to get them.

Parental Control

Parental control? Yes, homeschooling allows the parent to have more control over friends, after school activities, school work, etc. So many parents do not know who their children's friends are and the influence which these friends are having on their children's lives. I think we all know that many times friends have more influence than Dad or Mom.

Homeschooling also keeps our kids away from gangs, guns, drugs, etc. Unfortunately, as the news shows, our children are not safe at school anymore. The fear of sending their children to school one morning and not having them return that evening is causing alot of parents to consider homeschooling. As parents we will do anything we can to protect our children.

Morals and Standards

Homeschooling allows you to instill in your child more of the morals which you want them raised with. They are not subject to peer pressure as much as a child in public school.

Homeschooling also allows you to incorporate your religious beliefs into your child's schooling. Reguardless of what your beliefs are, we all want our children to learn them and to hopefully one day practice them.

What about their social life?

Believe it or not the most popular reason that parents give for not following through and homeschooling their children is that they want them to have a social life. I don't know about you, but when I went to school, I went to learn. I did not go to school to have a social life.

I believe that children's social life should take place outside of school. There are many ways for a child to have a social life away from school - skating, parties, youth groups, sleepovers, etc. School is not the only place they should be around other children.

How do you have time to plan their work?

We don't! The course we chose to use - The School of Tomorrow's PACEs (Packet of Accelerated Christian Education) is excellent! I never have to do plans or write out tests. They are already done. I even have a score key to use. To stay on track all the child has to do is 5 pages per day in each subject. All I have to do is explain to them how to do factors (for example), if they don't understand the directions.

Anyone can do it!

Any parent can homeschool. All it takes it the desire to. However, do not make this decision without some serious thought. It takes time and a willingless to put everything to the side until school is done for the day.

For us, it was the best decision. When my daughter starts school, the plan is for her to start at home. I want the best for her,