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Is Homeschooling Right for Your Family?
All methods of educating your child will come with their own advantages and disadvantages – it’s a matter of choosing what works best for you and your children. For some families, it may seem like the perceived disadvantages outweigh the many positive aspects of homeschooling but we’ll take a closer look at these perceived homeschooling disadvantages and demonstrate how these can actually be beneficial to families.
Six Perceived Disadvantages of Homeschooling
While there is no doubt this form of home education can be a challenge at times, it is still the first choice for many families – even for parents hesitant about starting their homeschooling journey.
Let’s look more closely at these perceived disadvantages.
1. Fielding criticism
When choosing your own path in life, It’s not unusual for people to not understand your choice of education. Often generalisations and stereotypes regarding homeschooling arise carrying assumptions that your children:
- Aren’t socialised
- Are sheltered
- Won’t have the same opportunities
- Won’t be well educated
The stigmatism of homeschooling from friends, neighbours, professionals, and even family can actually be caused from a lack of understanding or knowledge of the benefits of homeschooling.
As these assumptions arise, so does an opportunity to educate others about something that really works for you and your children, and inspire others to redefine their own learning journeys.
2. Access to facilities
While there can be limited learning equipment and facilities outside of a traditional classroom (such as specialist chemistry equipment, theatres, an assortment of instruments or sporting equipment to name a few), there are opportunities to access these types of facilities in the public domain. Sourcing these alternatives will assist in developing a sense of community and provide a platform for socialisation for your children.
3. Financially challenging
When educating a child there are educational resources needed such as computers, excursions, books, software – the list goes on. While this may cause hesitance for some, many of these expenses are required even if you send your child to a public or private school and therefore are not a specific homeschooling disadvantage.
4. It can be stressful
Unlocking the awesome opportunity to educate your child from home comes with an increased level of responsibility for your child’s education.
When taking on this new teacher role, It’s not uncommon to experience stress, lack motivation and patience. This simply means you’re human.
Our Euka parents have access to support platforms and resources to help mitigate and minimise stress in their homeschooling journey.
5. Homeschooling is slow paced
A common misconception about homeschooling is that it’s slow paced in comparison to traditional schooling. It is believed that not being educated by a teacher means a child’s learning progress is slowed and lacks development in advanced skills, but it’s actually the one-on-one attention that debunks misconception.
Providing worry-free and individualised learning around a schedule that suits your family will mean your child has less distractions, more attention and more enjoyment in their education.
Many of our Euka families love homeschooling because of the time it gives back that can be focussed on activities that make their child truly happy, such as painting or playing the piano.
6. No traditional schooling events
While this may not be as important to parents, it may be seen as a disadvantage by your child. Many big moments happen in a traditional schooling setting, including:
- Graduation
- Camps
- Dances
- Sports carnival
- Interschool sports
Although not to the same level, these events can still occur in a homeschooling setting, especially with those engaged in community sports. It can only be seen as a disadvantage if you feel attending these events is essential to your child’s education, however our Euka community still has some equivalent events that help facilitate these experiences.
Are the Disadvantages of Homeschooling Worth the Benefits?
Choosing to educate your child from home is an important decision and parents on the fence about homeschooling may wonder if the disadvantages outweigh the benefits, but there are several factors to consider when making this decision.
Firstly, whilst parents who choose to homeschool are responsible for their child’s education, there are educational support services like Euka that can be utilised. This includes a combined approach to teaching academics and providing them with social and emotional support.
The many advantages of homeschooling that far outweigh what some people consider its disadvantage, including:
- Children get to learn at their own pace
- Receive individualised attention
- Engage in parent-led values and learning
- Time to explore and be creative
- And much more!
What some may consider disadvantages and a challenge to balance, others may take in their stride and make them work positively for their family.
Homeschooling Can Be Hard But Worth It
Like all the choices you have when considering your child’s education, you must consider these advantages and disadvantages but ultimately, make a choice that is best for you and your family.
If you feel homeschooling is right for your family, you will find a way to manage what is considered a disadvantage and adapt as you go, embarking on your own learning journey alongside your child.
When first hearing of homeschooling misconceptions and disadvantages, you may feel apprehensive. Whilst it may not suit every family, homeschooling your child has many benefits that can help you decide either way. Whatever you choose, like all educational decisions, it’s your child’s best interests that you’re accounting for.
If traditional schooling isn’t working for your family, then transitioning to homeschooling may be worth considering. Contact our team if you want to know more about how we can support your homeschooling journey.
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