Ok, so I figure that the family blog has gotten more than enough of my ambivalence about homeschooling vs. public schooling, so I thought I'd share some of my angsty decision making over here. This is something that is almost constantly on my mind and I go back and forth about it a lot. I'm not making any final decisions until next year, maybe not even till summer, but the other day I was thinking about it and it came to me that even if Jovi was in public school I wouldn't be giving up the job of making sure she was educated. It's a job that is mine by divine right and something I don't want to give up. The decision is more in the nature of who I would be in the educational process. Am I going to be the teacher or am I going to be the manager of my children's education? I can see pros and cons to each (which is why I can't decide).
Homeschooling Pros:
Being the teacher allows me to control content and speed of my children's learning. Everything can be tailored to my children. We can spend more time on personal interests or areas that need work and go faster through things that aren't as interesting or are easily mastered. I LOVE that aspect because you certainly don't get personalized curriculum in public school. We are not tied to a schedule, we can go on field trips and vacations whenever we want. School doesn't have to stop if my kids get sick. Hopefully that won't be an issue either way, but if I have sickly children home school will definitely allow for greater continuity. One of the greatest things I think it can do is create a family culture of learning and togetherness. There would be a lot less focus on peers and more on family.
Homeschooling Cons:
The biggest one for me is that it is A LOT of work planning and preparing the lessons, making sure we don't leave out some important thing that should be learned. It also takes a decent amount of money (most people say it is similar to what you spend on activities and fundraisers that come up with public school, but I have no way of personally verifying this) to buy quality curriculum, books and pay for field trips and all the other things you need for school. Another thing to think about (not sure if it is a true con) is that my children wouldn't share a unifying experience with the vast majority of other American children. I'm not worried about the "socialization" aspect of homeschooling. With so many homeschooling co-ops available (we are part of one this year), church, sports and other extra curricular classes there are lots of opportunities for socialization and making friends.
Public School Pros:
Being the manager of my children's education would allow me to focus on helping them excel. I could do fun after school projects with them without worrying about the basics. I could help them improve talents and pursue interests that I might not have energy for otherwise. I could focus on any children still at home instead of focusing on the school age kids. Once all my kids were in school, I would certainly have more me time and I could possibly get a job or go back to school for a graduate degree. I think my children would like being surrounded by peers every day (although, depending on the peers, this can be a huge con too). There is a greater chance for academic awards and recognition in public school but also a greater chance for failure.
Public School Cons:
My children will not get very much personal attention, no child can in a classroom with 20+ kids and one teacher. They will have to learn to navigate social peer groups who may or may not like them. This could be a pro, but since social skills are not taught, it is a sink or swim situation and for those kids who sink it can be intensely painful (see below post). They may be bored, unchallenged or feel unsuccessful, feelings that are much less likely to occur in a one on one tutoring situation. We will be stuck with a school schedule, waking up when they say, taking vacations when they say, etc. I will miss my kids, I know we will get used to it, but I don't know that is such a good thing. Of course, I want my kids to become independent, but I don't feel that being gone for 3/4 of the day in elementary school is an especially good thing.
Sometimes I feel that I am leaning towards homeschooling and at other times I think that public school would be the best choice for our family. I just don't know.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
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