Homeschooling has been a great life choice for some, and less so for others. You could say that about conventional schooling, too, so that’s not a moral judgment we’re making, nor a prescription about what’s right for you.
However, as many more people are thinking about taking their children out of school and teaching them a curriculum they see as most fit (though make sure to go for officially approved options to ensure the most rounded education), it’s easy to read resources that bias you in one way or another.
Photo by August de Richelieu: https://www.pexels.com/photo/mother-helping-her-daughter-use-a-laptop-4260325/
Much of the content online about homeschooling, especially with those in the know, has a vested interest in selling you this life decision. After all, those who have picked such a life choice may not feel inclined to warn you away from it. However, they likely agree that fair criticism of any life choice, particularly regarding the care and best practice of raising kids, is fair.
In this post, we’ll provide something to think about, if not entirely apply to your own circumstances. Knowing the cons of homeschooling should only make your final decision to go for it more insightful and nuanced, or at least help you understand the issues you’d rather not experience.
Note that while this is a list of cons, there are many pros worth considering as well. That is not the focus of today’s post.
With that in mind, let’s begin:
Social Development Can Become Limited
It’s fairly understood that despite your best efforts, your child won’t get the same daily interaction with dozens of other kids that happens naturally in traditional schools. You can arrange playdates and join homeschool groups, but it takes deliberate effort to create those social opportunities that would occur automatically in a classroom setting.
Children learn essential social skills through such conflict resolution, group projects, and being exposed to many different personalities, both positive and negative. You can simulate some of these experiences, but the spontaneous social learning that happens when kids are together for hours each day is harder to replicate. For some, this might be worth it, as not all of those experiences are positive or nourishing for children. Some homeschool parents may have their children attend preschools before their own work begins.
The Financial Burden Falls Entirely On One Income
Homeschooling usually means one parent stays home full-time, which cuts your household income significantly. You’re also paying for curriculum materials, educational resources, and activities while still paying taxes that fund public schools your family isn’t using.
Sometimes, the financial pressure can create stress that affects the whole family, particularly if the working parent feels overwhelmed by being the sole breadwinner, or if the homeschool parent feels undervalued. Maybe you planned for this expense, and a few families jump into it without some planning, but unexpected costs for specialized materials or tutoring should be considered ahead of time.
You Become Responsible For Every Subject
Not everyone is naturally gifted at teaching math, science, literature, and history all at the same level. If you’re not, that doesn’t make you unintelligent. Teaching is a tough skill, and perhaps you excelled in English but struggle with advanced mathematics, which means your child might not get the same quality instruction in every subject area.
As children get older and coursework becomes more complex, parents can find themselves learning alongside their kids or scrambling to find resources to cover topics they don’t understand well. This can be stressful for both parent and child, even though many homeschool parents do a fantastic job.
With this advice, we hope you can more easily manage the pros and cons of homeschooling effectively.
