Homeschooling Review

Homeschooling is not just education, it is a lifestyle.  For many, one parent gives up a career to stay home with the children to educate them and prepare them for life.  Most homeschooling families are single-income families, and therefore budgets tend to be tighter.  It means that the family has to be really committed to this type of life.

Why would someone choose this lifestyle?  There are many reasons.  For me, it started off with my son, whom is a unique learner.  I was told by the head of special education in our school district that 1) she didn't know how to educate him and 2) he would never ever read.  In one year of me taking on his education, he went from a non-reading preschool level to reading on a 4th grade level.  So much for the experienced, certified, government controlled education system being better for him since they gave up on him early on and said it couldn't be done.

My youngest child had severe allergies, including life-threatening ones.  The school system just couldn't grasp the severity of those allergies and many times put her life in danger.  So, why would a sane parent send a child into a life-threatening and uncaring environment?

Yes, it does take committment, however, it isn't as difficult as many think.  You may tailor a curriculum to the best interest of the child along with the child's learning style.  This allows them to learn in the easiest form for them while at the same time you can introduce the other styles so they can get use to them as well.

As far as socialization, that is not an issue that I have found among homeschoolers.  I find that we have so many opportunities, we actually have to become selective on what we do or we will quickly become over burden with activities.  There are enrichment classes, co-ops, sports, social gatherings, bowling, field trips, volunteer opportunities, and many other items.

I think before people discount homeschooling, they actually need to find out more about it.  Remember our greatest scientist and founding fathers of this country were homeschooled.  Public Education did not come along until much later in our countries history.