by Diana Dow
Synopsis: In her third submission in this series, Diana examines the pros and cons of homeschooling. Those who pursue this path are making a major commitment of energy, time, and resources. Yet, the benefits outweigh the costs.
Hard work. Very difficult. Scary. A strange concept. Not for the faint of heart. Freedom. Rewarding. A privilege. An adventure. A challenge.
These are comments that were left on my social media page when I asked my friends to finish this sentence: “Homeschooling *is. . .” Respondents based their opinions on their own experiences and observations. I agree with them all. Homeschooling isn’t for everyone.
I made a list of the pros and cons of homeschooling. Unsurprisingly, since I have homeschooled all my boys, my “pros” list was much longer than my “cons” list. What some people think of as a negative, I think can be turned into a positive, so it is a little difficult for me to be completely objective.
In my pros list, the word “flexibility” kept popping up. Flexibility to work around the family’s schedule, individualize each child’s instruction, delve into subjects of interest to the child, and teach my children what I think is important for them to know. Flexibility is the main reason I have continued to homeschool through high school. A teenager who is not tied to a rigid schedule and a myriad of activities can create, explore, and meditate on various subjects, hobbies, passions, and interests as they arise. He is free to pursue these as deeply as he desires. Flexibility in the younger years is important as well—allowing a child to mature physically, mentally and academically at his own pace. This freedom instills confidence and encourages natural growth without feeling the need to adhere to one-size-fits-all developmental checkpoints.
Another frequently used word in my pros list was “time”. Everyone has the same amount of time in a day. The homeschool family has control over every minute of their time. Time with family to learn about God and His world, to learn how to communicate and get along with others, to build strong bonds that will last a lifetime, and to work together serving others. Homeschool families can adjust their schedules when the new baby arrives, Grandma gets sick, Dad works the night shift, or the teenager gets his first job. The family is able to function in harmony together as their needs change.
Being flexible and having control of your family’s time sounds wonderful, but there are some cons in homeschooling. Top on my list is “money.” Parents are responsible for purchasing all the curricula, supplies, and tuition for any classes or tutoring needed.
This can get very expensive. Homeschool families recognize sacrifices will need to be made as they add these expenses to their family budget. Prayerfully considering the value and necessity of a purchase will aid in over-committing the family funds (cf. Phil. 4:6-7).
“Isolation” can be found on some cons list and is where the question, “What about socialization?” comes from. Homeschoolers do not live in isolation: many spend much of their day outside the home among the public and with fellow homeschoolers in classes, service projects, field trips, etc. The term homeschool has contributed to this misunderstanding, implying home is where learning happens. It would be more accurate to describe what we do as Family Education. Learning happens with the family in a variety of locations and with a variety of people.
“Lack of opportunity” is also considered a con. While local schools have built-in opportunities allowing students to explore a wide variety of interests, committed homeschool parents seek opportunities or create them themselves. Sports teams, music classes, and robotics are examples of what parents have organized. Networking and becoming aware of the resources available in the area are essential to providing a rich banquet of opportunities. Like money, activities need to be prayerfully considered before committing to them. They can quickly consume the day and send the family down the road of rigid schedules (cf. Matt. 6:33-34).
As in any worthwhile endeavor, homeschooling can be challenging. Recognizing these challenges is the first step to success. Create your own lists and compare them side by side. Think outside the box and don’t let the negatives scare you away. To those brethren who would like to be supportive and encouraging, being aware of the struggles homeschoolers face will go a long way towards accomplishing your goal.
