Downsides of Homeschooling

In my last post I discussed the benefits of homeschooling, which mainly revolve around the ability to customize and control your child’s education.  The following is my list of possible downsides of homeschooling for you to consider.

Cons to Homeschooling:

1.       It is a full time job.  Homeschooling is a full time job when you consider the planning, teaching, and learning required on your part in order to teach your child.  You will likely be scheduling time with co-ops, play groups, or other group activities in your community so your child has the opportunity to socialize with other children.  In a nutshell, it takes time to prepare, plan, and execute the homeschooling lifestyle.

2.        Ability to afford homeschooling. Since homeschooling is a full time job, it requires someone to stay home in order to teach your child.  This typically means relying on a one-parent income which may require sacrifice and careful budgeting.  You will also have to purchase school materials and books for your child, which would not be a factor if your child was attending a public school (although if you take into account the school supplies, clothes, and shoes you would typically purchase for school throughout the year it could be about the same cost.)

3.        Control over the content taught to your child. (Yes this, and the next item were on the pro list too!)  While it can definitely be a benefit to control the content taught to your child, with the control also comes the responsibility.  You are ultimately responsible for what your child knows, and if you are not thorough in your teaching then your child is the one who pays.  It is your job to do a good job, so your child reaps the benefits of an excellent education rather than suffers due to the lack of a poor education.  The responsibility rests on you.

4.       All that time with your child. While quality time with your child sounds great, homeschooling means 24 hours a day 7 days a week with your child.  Most children do engage in social, athletic, and other educational activities (especially as they get older) so you will have some time apart.  But unlike public school where your child is gone for 6-7 hours a day during the week, with homeschooling your child is home with you most of the time.  You need to be able to spend all day together and get along, so you should to evaluate the dynamic between yourself and your child to decide whether homeschooling fits your personalities.   Also consider your child’s needs and your own.  For example, some kids just need to be in a classroom full of kids and thrive on socializing with others.   And some parents need time and space away from their child, whether it is to get other things accomplished or have time alone.  Lastly, since your child does not go away to school you do not have that time alone to do housework, run errands, or do things for yourself.  Instead your child is around all day continually making more of a mess (think school books and papers laying around, working on science experiments, serving and cleaning up 3 meals a day at home, etc.) and just one more thing to be prepared for if you are considering homeschooling your child.

Hopefully my list of pros and cons will get you thinking a bit more about homeschooling.  Maybe it isn’t something you have ever considered before and realize it is something you might want to do.  Or maybe you were considering homeschooling and realize it just isn’t the right fit for you or your child.  Deciding to homeschool is a personal decision for every parent.  You need to take into account your personality, your child’s personality, and your lifestyle to determine if homeschooling is the right option for your family.

So where do you stand?  Are you now considering homeschooling, or are you changing your mind?  Let me know in the comment section below.