Is Homeschooling Right For Your Family?

Homeschooling can often times be a difficult decision. The great thing about homeschooling is that the decision is unique and personal to each family who makes that decision. There are many who feel like it is the only way to school and there are no other options. There are many who are walking billboards for public education and to them there is no other option. When trying to decide whether homeschooling is right for you in your family I highly suggest that you sit down with a sheet of paper. Draw a line down the middle and on one side write pros and on the other side write cons. Now gather the family together and if your children are a little older have them sit in on this also. Have each person list their ideas of what the pros and cons are. Then as a family decide whether the cons can be handled by the family or whether they are too overwhelming. If you don't really enjoy being with your children 24 hours a day, homeschooling might not be right for you. Keep in mind that this does not go for all because there are times as our children grow and go through ages and stages that we don't like them very much. Recognize whether this is a temporary dislike for a particular attitude or if you really just look forward to your children leaving everyday and can't stand weekends and their return in the afternoons. Making the decision together can make the transition much easier for older children that have been in the system. It also gives you a chance to face head on the issues that might cause problems or discontent and have solutions on hand and prepared. Remembering that each family's decision to homeschool is highly personal and should not be made because of other people's experience or lack thereof with homeschooling. Realize too that sometimes parents have to make the best decision for their children whether the children agree or disagree. Children lack the experience and the knowledge to make the best decisions for themselves. Doing this simple little exercise will give you a better picture about whether your family and homeschooling are a good fit.