Homeschool World Forum

[proudmaof4]

I just wanted to take a minute to say hello. I actually have one child in public and one child about to start school. We also have two other children, a three year old and a six week old. My husband and I are at odds as to whether or not to homeschool. I want to start homeschooling for many reasons, and my husband thinks it is a bad idea, primarily for the lack of socialization he thinks they will have. If we do homeschool, I plan on homeschooling the older two right now (ages 6 and 5) and within the next few years, start my three year old in on it. Does anyone have any advice for me as to which way we should go and if we do homeschool, where do I start? Please help!!!

[Theodore]

I suggest reading the threads in the Homeschool vs Public School forum, as these cover all the various arguments pro and con fairly exhaustively. Bottom line, though, public school is an artificial environment that you can't control, with insufficient adult supervision, and there's no way to tell whether any socialization your children get there would be a plus or a minus. The academics certainly won't be as good as what you can supply at home. It's much better to homeschool and supply your children with controlled socialization through homeschool support group events, contests, sports, extracurriculars, and so on - and if you want, the sports and extracurriculars can even be done through the local school, if they allow it. Homeschooling does not prevent socialization, it just makes sure that socialization isn't harmful to your children.

EDIT: This thread moved to the Getting Started forum, as it seems more applicable.
_________________
The Farming Game - Software Edition for Mac and PC
The board game has sold over 350,000 copies worldwide, garnered many awards, is used by over 2,000 schools, and is used extensively by homeschoolers.

[proudmaof4]

hello again. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to reply to my concerns. You really set my mind at ease, hopefully, this will help convince my husband or at the very least, open his mind a bit more.

[momo3boys]

There is a wonderful article in the new "The Old Schoolhouse" magazine that talks about socialization. It basically says that as homeschoolers, we can help our children to become free thinkers, instead of them learning in the public schools how to think like everyone else. My take on socialization is that I can prepare my children for what they will encounter in the world, instead of them having to learn it the hard way and often painful way.
_________________
Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.