My Personal Pros and Cons of Homeschooling Every Parent Should Consider

Check out this list of the pros and cons of homeschooling, written by a licensed public middle school math teacher.

Hey y’all, Tiffany here with some pros and cons of homeschooling.

As y’all know, before having children of my own, I was a middle school math teacher. My plan was always to put my children in public school. After all, that was how I had grown up, and it was what I chose to be my profession.

I’ve been homeschooling for four years now, and it’s the best decision I could have ever made for my family.

Many parents find themselves in the position of having to decide whether to keep traditional schooling or homeschool their children. This conversation has become more frequent in light of the pandemic over the last two years, as well as changes in society over the last few decades.

I want to share some pros and cons of homeschooling as I see them now so that you can help make an informed decision on what is best for your family.

If you’re thinking about being the teacher for your kids, you should also read this before you start homeschooling after you finish this article.

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Pros of Homeschooling

For me, the pros of homeschooling far outweigh the cons.  Otherwise, I would have put them back in public or charter schools long ago!  Here are some of the many things our family loves about homeschooling.

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1. Kids aren’t exposed to adult issues

Most of my friends and acquaintances have their kids in traditional school environments, and I am so saddened by the questions and problems that come up. There are a lot of adult issues, including abuse, that become glaringly obvious in a public or charter school setting, even when kids learn as young as kindergarten.

The sad reality is that in many families these children aren’t ready to be exposed to the harsh realities of the world. Because I have homeschooled students, they won’t be forced to deal with these issues until it’s developmentally appropriate. This allows them to maintain their innocence and sense of security for a little longer.

As a homeschooling parent, I’ve found that the personalized nature of our educational approach fosters strong bonds within our family unit. With the flexibility to adapt our learning environment to suit individual learning styles and interests, we’re able to cultivate a deeper connection between siblings and between parents and children.

This close-knit dynamic not only enhances the educational experience but also creates a supportive environment where children feel valued, understood, and empowered to explore their passions with confidence. Through homeschooling, we’re not just providing an alternative education; we’re nurturing strong family relationships that serve as a foundation for lifelong learning and growth.

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2. Small chance of bullying

Even before we started kindergarten, my oldest was bullied by kids in our neighborhood and at the playground. Since these are the same children she would have been attending school with, I knew it would just continue.

This experience made me even more determined to provide a safe and nurturing home school and environment for my children. With homeschooling, I get to decide the children my kids are exposed to, alleviating the social pressures they might face in a traditional school setting. Bullying will always happen, but it won’t make up the majority of my children’s day.

Instead, they can focus on social diversity, building positive relationships, and developing strong social skills in a supportive atmosphere. In our homeschooling environment, my children have the opportunity to interact with individuals from various backgrounds, ages, and experiences. This exposure enriches their understanding of the world and fosters empathy and acceptance. By engaging in cooperative learning activities and collaborative projects, they learn to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts peacefully, and appreciate the value of teamwork. Through these interactions, they develop the social confidence and emotional resilience needed to navigate diverse social settings with grace and compassion.

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3. My kids are best friends

My two oldest children are three years apart in age. If they were in public school, this age gap would mean they wouldn’t get to spend much time together. Because they are home together all day, they have become each other’s best friends. 

Homeschooling has helped significantly Reduce Sibling Rivalry, which is something I heavily experienced in my home growing up. It fosters a supportive social environment where siblings of school age can bond and support each other’s children’s learning journeys.

In our homeschooling routine, my children collaborate on projects, study together, and share their knowledge and skills. This collaborative approach not only strengthens their academic abilities but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. By working together towards common goals, they learn to appreciate each other’s strengths and contributions, building a foundation of trust and solidarity. As a result, sibling relationships are nurtured and strengthened, leading to fewer conflicts and more opportunities for cooperation and mutual support within the family unit.

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4. The kids get to do work at their own pace

One of the most difficult things I experienced as a middle school math teacher was having to teach lessons when some kids weren’t ready for them. With 35 students in a classroom, there was no way to teach the furthest-behind students while also meeting the needs of the advanced kids in traditional private schools and public schools.

Since I am teaching my children one-on-one, if there is a concept they are struggling with, we can work on it for as long as we require. Similarly, if there is a topic they excel at, we can work as fast as they want! This personalized approach to homeschooling education allows us to tailor our lesson plans and the learning experience to each child’s individual needs and abilities, providing flexibility that is often not possible in a classroom setting for homeschooled children.

This flexibility extends beyond just academic pacing; it also allows us to incorporate the children’s interests, passions, and unique learning styles into our curriculum, creating a truly customized educational experience that maximizes their potential for success and personal growth.

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5. We get a lot of playtime

My kids are morning people, so we can finish with chores and school lessons by lunchtime! This allows them to have a lot more free play time each day than if they were going to public school all day, followed by homework.

With our flexible homeschool schedule, we can adapt the school hours to suit their natural rhythms and maximize their productivity during peak times of the day. This personalized approach to each child’s education, is made possible by our homeschool curriculum and homeschool environment, which provide tailored learning experiences tailored to their individual needs and interests.

Even now as I write this, it’s 8:00 in the morning, my kids are almost done with their schoolwork, and we’re headed to the splash pad in an hour! This flexibility allows us to enjoy fun outings and activities during off-peak hours, avoiding crowds and making the most of our time together.

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6. No crowds

Speaking of going to the splash pad and having play time – one of the best things about homeschooling children is we’re practically the only people at places like museums, the zoo, and the playground!

During the school year, most kids we homeschool with are in public (or other) schools. Other than field trips, we get free runs of a lot of places! This means no lines, even at Disneyland, and educational freedom because we can take trips or go to the museum whenever we want! This unique aspect of homeschooling not only allows for more flexibility in scheduling outings but also provides opportunities for other homeschoolers and socialization as children interact with a diverse range of people in various settings.

We also LOVE using our Gabb watches to keep everyone safe. They have GPS locating, can make phone calls to pre-programmed numbers, and even track activities like walking. It makes it easy to send a kiddo off to the bathroom, for example.

If you want a discount for your own Gabb watch or Gabb phone, just use the code.

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7. No summer blahs

Because we take family trips during the traditional school year, we keep doing homeschooling pros and cons and stuff all year round.

Lots of kids come home from school for summer break, and they forget everything they’ve learned. They’re super energetic because they are used to structure and are now unstructured, and by the end of the summer they’re bored and parents can’t wait to get rid of them.

However, for us, our days don’t change much just because schools are closed because we ARE the school! With homeschooling, our learning continues seamlessly throughout the summer months, allowing us to maintain a consistent routine and avoid the pitfalls of the summer slide.

By incorporating fun and engaging activities into our daily schedule, we not only prevent learning loss but also make the most of our time together as a family, creating cherished memories and valuable learning experiences that extend beyond the confines of a traditional school calendar.

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8. The evenings don’t feel crammed

We have fostered children in public school peers in the past, and they attend public school. The evenings always felt rushed and crammed because they would get home from school late in the afternoon, start homework, eat dinner, finish homework, play sports, and then it would be time for bed. 

Trying to fit in extracurricular activities only added to the chaos, leaving little room for relaxation or quality family time. These hectic evenings underscored the importance of balance and flexibility in a child’s daily routine, prompting me to seek alternative educational options, like homeschooling, that offer a more personalized and manageable approach to learning and leisure activities.

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9. The kids get the sleep they need

Because we can do extracurricular activities in the afternoons, the kids can go to bed at a decent hour. They can also sleep in on days they need, or if they are unwell, we can take a break or have a lighter day. This flexibility allows us to prioritize their health and well-being while still enjoying a balanced and fulfilling routine.

Additionally, personalized learning is integral to our homeschooling approach, ensuring that each child’s educational journey is tailored to their unique strengths, interests, and pace of learning. With our homeschooling plan and flexible schedule, we can adapt our curriculum choice, lessons, and activities to accommodate any changes or unexpected events that arise, providing a supportive and adaptable learning environment for our children.

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Cons of Homeschooling

Now, before you think homeschooling is all roses, there are some cons as well. It’s not perfect, and sometimes it can be difficult. There are going to be things homeschoolers miss out on because they’re at home.

However, the challenges we face are opportunities for growth and learning, both for other homeschool students themselves, for the children of homeschooling pros, and for us as parents, as we navigate this unique educational journey together.

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1. You never get a break

I was so excited when it was time for my oldest to start kindergarten. I was looking forward to that break each day. As homeschooling parents, our family is together almost all the time. That leaves very little time for mental health breaks. Running errands, cleaning, and all other responsibilities are done with children coming along. However, despite the challenges, being together as a family brings us closer and allows us to share meaningful experiences and memories.

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2. You have to be both a parent and a teacher       

When I was teaching, I would have frequent parent-teacher conferences. Parents were always surprised when I would tell them how much I enjoyed their child in class because they weren’t so well-behaved at home! That can be true for homeschooling. You and your child have to work together not just about chores or sibling relationships, but also for their homeschooling education.

Just like you don’t get a break from them, they don’t get a break from you. This close collaboration is essential for ensuring your child receives a well-rounded and personalized education tailored to their needs and interests.

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3. Missing out on typical school activities

One of the cons of homeschooling is that your child will miss out on a lot of the typical classroom activities, like back-to-school class photos or a classroom Valentine’s Day party.

You can offset this con by joining co-ops or other homeschool groups that have these types of activities. You can also set up your own school photos with these back to homeschool photo props.

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4. Your kids don’t get as much social time

But don’t get me wrong – we do have social time!  We go to co-op classes, choir, gymnastics, museum classes, park days, playdates, and more.  But it isn’t as much time in a social setting the way public school is.  If you live in a smaller area with fewer homeschoolers, then that can limit your child’s socializing a bit.

But as you can see from the Pros list, that limitation on social interaction isn’t always a bad thing. We have more freedom in choosing good friends and influences, which is especially important for homeschooled students. I don’t worry about my or other children\’s safety, which is a very real concern in today’s world. With the disadvantages of homeschooling, I can prioritize my children’s education while ensuring they have positive social experiences.

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Conclusion

Overall, there are a lot more pros for homeschooling than cons, at least in my opinion!  Homeschooling, when done the right way, is a tremendous benefit to a child.

With the technology available today, there are so many homeschool resources for children that help them get the best of both worlds: a good education and time to be children.

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