Minda

My daughter taught her children at home for several years, but last year they tried cyber school instead. She and her husband were happy with the results, and are continuing cyber school this year.

I'm concerned about the socialization that the children miss out on when they are schooled at home.

lovequiltedstars

I homeschooled three children for nine years. They all decided that they would like to try public school, especially to get the diploma, prom, dances, etc. My oldest daughter just graduated from high school, a year early, and is now in the first year of college. My youngest daughter is a sophmore. They have been on the honor roll, straight A's all across the board, and having been named academic achievers every year. We used School of Tomorrow and always started where they left off the year before. There wasn't any planning to it except for field trips, science experiments, gym, etc. Sometimes I wish I could go back and do it all over again.

Jingle

No way would I have home schooled my kids. I looked forward to having the school days to myself. I didn't drive and they never had a babysitter, except when I was in the hospital, except for school I was with them 24/7, that was the way we thought it was suppose to be.

Ps 150

My husband was homeschooled from 5th grade on as well. He didn't care either way but my girls love to be homeschooled. They have friends in public school and even private school but they like it at home. There were times over the summer when they'd ask me to do some workbooks. It might change as they get older but they're going into 2nd and 3rd grade now and pretty happy. I'm so sorry you had a bad experience.

Ps 150

Each family is different and has different needs. I totally respect each different situation. I was public schooled and was fine with that. Friends of ours send their kids to private school and that's what works for them. Our neighbor's do the cyber schools and they like that. I might do that when my kids get older but for now, I love spending time over the text books with them. And they love the hands on approach. And they have some self work they need to do each afternoon so I quilt while overseeing them doing their self work. It's a little piece of heaven in the afternoons in our house, :D

gale

My kids don't have any desire to go to public school! I wouldn't say they love homeschooling or doing lessons but they love the flexibility and not having to ask or wait to go to the bathroom and being able to have lunch when we're all hungry and being able to do lessons in their pajamas, not to mention getting my full attention when they need help. They all do outside activities so they are around other kids but not all kids their own age. IMO it's better for them to socialize with people of all ages. My kids are very social and can easily converse with younger kids, older kids or adults (which is not a good thing sometimes-we have to reinforce the 'no strangers' rule every so often).

I know this is a joke but it's one I always think about when people talk about socialization:
"My wife and I were also concerned that our children would miss out on the socialization available in the public schools...so once a week we take our kids into the bathroom, cuss at them, push them around, steal their lunch money, and offer them drugs, and that seems to take care of it."

donnaree59

I guess I am much older than most of you... My son just finished his Masters in Public Administration. He had never been to a regular school until he started Jr. College. He loved being home schooled and has great plans to one day home educate his children... We started many years ago when we were really "strange." We had our ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade those years for anything.

melslove

I ran across this the other day and thought i was neat.

10 reasons I (Don't) Homeschool
http://www.5kidsandadog.com/2010/08/...nt-homeschool/

And i have to agree, its a lifestyle of learning!

aorlflood

I homeschooled my kids from 1997 till 2004 when my youngest graduated and went to college. It was a lot of work (I also worked part time as an RN during all of it...but it was worth it!

Minda

Text books and workbooks are used for cyber school, and the parents still oversee and help the children. Some work is done on the computer, but much of the work is hands-on.