The Real Pros And Cons Of Homeschooling

The Cons of Homeschooling Your Child

Now that we’ve looked at the positives, let’s look at some of the reasons that you might choose not to homeschool your children, and to rely on public or private education instead.

1. Uses Lots Of Parental Time

Obviously one of the biggest things working against your ability to homeschool is the amount of time that you have available to be there for your children. There’s no way to avoid the fact that homeschooling can take up a lot of parental time, and it can also be tiring to be there for your children 24/7 with no break wheel they’re at school. Generally homeschooling requires time on the ground, actually participating in the day-to-day learning experience of your child, as well as the pre-planning of those experiences to make sure they’re reaching educational goals. And yes, that is exhausting.

2. Can Be Financially Challenging

As well as being a time suck, homeschooling can also be financially challenging for families as it generally requires one parent (if you’re married) to forego a full-time job in order to homeschool. This can be a massive financial gamble, and a sacrifice, for families, especially those who are already struggling to stay in the green. Families that homeschool believe that while it may be financially stressful in the short-term, it’s a worthwhile sacrifice to see their children educated in their own way, but not all people believe this.

3. Fight Against The Stereotype

It can sometimes be difficult to explain to someone that your way of life isn’t the same as theirs, and we all have stereotypes to overcome. When it comes to homeschooling, stereotypes and generalisations about people who homeschool run deep, and many new homeschoolers aren’t comfortable with the assumptions people make about them and their families. Many people mistakenly believe that people who homeschool are religious zealots, and that their children are socially awkward, sheltered and either possessing savant-like intelligence, or are inherently slow. These stereotypes are rarely true, but defending them, and your lifestyle in general, can be exhausting and annoying. It doesn’t seem like much of a turn-off, but for some it can be.

4. Must Make Effort To Socialise

Socialisation happens at mainstream schools without too much of an effort from you as a parent. Kids play at recess and lunch, and they make plans to hang out after school, or do activities organised through the school like clubs and groups. However, if you homeschool you often need to have more of a hands-on approach to make sure your child has the opportunity to socialise with similar aged peers. Not all parents feel they have time for this, as well as for the time constraints of homeschooling, but there are always opportunities such as local homeschooling communities, many of whom organise group excursions, and outside-of-school sports teams.

Next Page: Where to Get More Information on Homeschooling

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

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