by Emma Riley Sutton

Created on: May 15, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2008

To home school or not to home school? That is the question. It is a question that many parents are facing as public and private schools are becoming even more sub-standard than ever before. It is not an easy decision to make and should not be taken lightly. Children's lives and educations hang in the balance. As parents work toward the decision, they must also ask themselves many others questions to see if homeschooling is right for their family.

"Do I have the time to home school?" is an important question to ask before deciding for or against homeschooling. It is incredibly time consuming. As you become more use to homeschooling, it will take less time. Yet, the time homeschooling takes up is astronomical. "Class time" is a small portion the time spent homeschooling. Parents must also factor in time spent preparing to actually teach (lesson plans, hands-on activities, etc.), the paperwork some states may require to be able to home school, field trips, and socialization activities with other children. As this time adds up, the time spent for normal daily activities will not decrease. Dishes, laundry, and shopping will still have to be done. Don't forget about your personal relaxation time; you will need that just as much, if not more.

"Do I have the support of family and friends?" is something to consider. Homeschooling is a family affair and everyone must be in agreement. Everyone will need to make sacrifices. Even your friends. Will your friends understand if you can't have lunch with them due to a homeschooling event? Will both your family and friends offer encouraging words when you feel overwhelmed? Hopefully, if you decide to home school, your spouse or a trusted friend would be able to step in and teach if you are sick for an extended period time or an emergency arises.

"Do I know why I am even considering this?" Be sure you are in it for the right reasons. Do not let anyone influence your decision. Are you concerned about the violence or the curriculum of public and private schools? There are other possibilities besides homeschooling to avoid these issues. Please do not go into homeschooling to prove that you are super parent, both smart enough to teach and concerned enough for your child to actually do it.

"What do I want to teach?" You must decide what you want your child learn and pick your curriculum accordingly. There are both Christian and secular homeschooling curricula to choose from. They can be mixed, matched and adapted to fit your child's particular

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>