Homeschooling your children allows you to adjust your schooling style to your children's needs, progress and personalities. You can structure your school the same way as a traditional school or use a less structured style, using the interests and readiness of your children to determine their schooling schedule. Factors such as finances, local homeschooling laws and your children's desired participation in sports may affect your decision on whether or not to homeschool.
Advantages
Families that homeschool spend a lot of time together, both learning and playing. This extra family time can create tighter family bonds, both between siblings and between children and parents. Homeschooling allows you to take lessons anywhere, teaching children about the world outside their own four walls. When you homeschool, you have the flexibility to adjust your child's lessons to his specific needs, learning style, personality and interests.
Disadvantages
Homeschooling costs may not end with the curriculum you choose. One parent needs to be home during the school hours you set to teach your children; this will result in a loss of income if that parent worked full-time before and now needs to either quit or drop to part-time. As a new homeschooling parent, you may doubt your ability to teach and your children's progress. If your children have an interest in sports, homeschooling has another major disadvantage. Many school districts require students to take a certain number of hours of courses at the public school to participate in sports. Your children also may not qualify for sports scholarships, since few of these accept homeschooled children.
Requirements
While homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, each has different laws concerning home learning requirements. Some states may only require you to notify your local school district of your intent to homeschool your children. Others require you to fill out the same paperwork as a private school. Homeschooling organizations in your state or local area will be able to tell you the requirements for your state.
Financial Concerns
Homeschooling costs depend on the type of curriculum you choose and which extracurricular activities your children want to participate in. A boxed curriculum containing all the materials you will need for that school term may be costly. Check with other homeschooling parents in the area or with your local homeschooling organization to find a used curriculum to cut down costs. Remember that all costs associated with extracurricular activities such as sports and music lessons will now come from your pocket instead of the school district funding either part or all of these costs.
Scheduling
Your children will learn better if you set up a schedule and stick to it. This schedule should include all activities, such as eating, naps, baths and bedtime, not just school. This consistent routine sets clear expectations for your children, giving them a measure of security and making them ready and willing to learn during scheduled school hours.
