Want to homeschool but maybe I shouldn't?

Question

My son isn't even 2 yet.. but we moved to a good school district. However, I still don't know if I want to send him to public school. The thought is so anxiety inducing. I just don't know if I would be a great teacher for him. I would feel so much guilt if I held him back with his education, all though I truly feel like my public school did not teach me ANYTHING I needed to know for adulthood. The main reason I feel bad for homeschooling is that I know how much school builds your character. It taught me how to deal with difficult situations, I also made lifelong friends from school. I still had social anxiety I had to work through though, and I only got rid of it as an adult. 
I just want my child to be safe because he is my entire world... I just don't know if it's fair to him to keep him in a bubble. There are so many pros and cons. 
Does anyone else feel this way?? Did you choose to homeschool/not homeschool? What were your reasonings? If you did choose to homeschool, what has it been like for you?

Answer

I homeschool our 4 kids. I think your notion of homeschooling as 'keeping your kid in a bubble' is a common misconception people have. There are plenty of opportunities to make friends and be exposed to social situations outside of school hours. There are lots of homeschooling meet-up opportunities, and outside of homeschooling there are youth groups, community sports leagues, neighborhood friends etc. I actually wasnt friends with anyone from school until high school, my closest friend lived down the street from me and went to a different school, but we had plenty of time to hang out. Also, let go of the idea that you have to be a 'teacher' and replicate school in your home. My kids' learning experiences are 90% nothing like school. I have a few workbooks I use as a tool for me to remember what concepts I need to make sure they know and occasionally I will give them a worksheet as like a 'test' to gauge their learning. Thats like 2-3 hrs a week and theyre either at or ahead of grade level. But Im mostly pretty hands off with their academics, theyre mostly self taught, and I focus my time on teaching them practical life skills like cooking, running a household, and now we are starting things like money management, politics, return on investment etc. My 12 year old son just created his own outer space website from scratch with graphics and videos talking about how to calculate planet and contellation positions....I know mothing about astonomy nor how to build my own website lol. He taught himself because homeschooling allows them the peace and space to focus on whats meaningful to them, which is why I chose it. Im not saying homeschooling is for everyone, but it isnt keeping them in a bubble and you dont have to compare yourself to a professional teacher. If he really gets stuck eg hes in 1st grade and you notice hes really struggling in math, you can also hire a tutor if it comes to that.

Answer

Homeschool. I was homeschooled and turned out fine and super well adjusted (A dumb stereotype, ) Protect your baby and follow your instinct. Parents should build character, not bullying or teachers. And you said it yourself, public school didn’t teach you anything and that means you can teach them everything ❤️

Answer

I do a lot of volunteering around kids. I see what kids who don’t go to any formal school act like on a regular basis, both daycare/preschool and home schooling. There’s zero chance I would homeschool or not enroll in daycare/preschool. I’m assuming you’re in the US? Doors the thought of school shootings scare me? Yep. But the truth is mass shootings happen everywhere. That’s our reality. Is our education system perfect? Hell no. But there are ways as a parent to make up for that. You don’t just leave education up to the school, learning happens on your time too. 99% of people are not equipped to be teachers. Their kids are a mess, they don’t know how to function in a group, they’re entitled, their social skills are behind their peers, they typically don’t know the same baseline information. Now are there exceptions to this? Sure. But, in my experience, the exceptions are very few and far between. Doing the quick math I’d say 1 out of every 20 homeschooled kids I’ve worked with has parents who are capable.

Answer

I'd personally wait until your child is older and see how you feel but also their personality and how they will do best. And school will never teach you wverything you need to.know just like a homeschool oarent will never be able tobteach everything you need to know. Life is big and ever-changing and hard. You teach them the basics of life whether at home while homeschooling or at hone as a parent in general...then make sure they are resilient enough and prepared to figure out life. But just like not every kid is meant for a public or private school some kids don't do as well in home school. I have 4 brothers and sisters. Some of us home schooled, some public schooled and some did a mix. I needed a school setting. I homeschooled 2 yrs then asked to go the public school. I needed the competition and peers and the slightly more chaotic and changing aspect of the school. My brother wanted to try kindergarten and in 3rd grade asked to homeschool because the noise and changing and peers made him anxious. He homeschooled until 9th then did half and half. So did AP classes, science and math at the high school and did everything else at home. No schooling is a 1 size fits all for every kid. Have thoughts and plans for both and do what.you think is best at the time. And you can always change so if he starts in preK or kindergarten and it isn't working like you want pull him out and home school or vice versa. It isn't like you need to pick one in 2 yrs and never change. My oldest is a kid who needs the school setting. They are very smart and very capable but need to be amongst peers in that way. My middle kid could go either way. In preschool now but we will see what will fits them best. You have time so just think about it and make several plans. Something will feel like it is the right choice...and again you can always change.

Want to homeschool but maybe I shouldn't?

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