According to studies, self-esteem plummets in middle-school girls. This can be a particular problem for girls. Sadly, peer pressure, competition, boredom, and bullies - are all part of a typical school day. With their lives no longer revolving around school hours, homework, and the school calendar, these families plan off-season vacations, visit parks and museums during the week, and live their lives according to what works for them. (Unfortunately, a few states do have unnecessarily restrictive legal requirements in those states, educational freedom may be limited.)Īfter the initial shock of leaving the school system has passed, parents who homeschool say they experience a real sense of freedom. But those basics may be covered at age six for one child, and at age ten for another, depending on ability, maturity, and interest levels. This is not to say that all the basics (and more!) aren't covered. Most homeschooled students have the choice to study and learn what they want, when they want, for as long as they want. This list is based on both my experience and the experiences of dozens of families who've shared with me the ups and downs of their day-to-day homeschooling. To help other parents who are considering homeschooling, here is a new list of pros and cons. More: How to Get Started with Homeschooling The pros won me over, but since then, I've discovered there were many more pros and cons that I couldn't possibly have anticipated! Homeschooled kids do well on standardized tests, are welcome at colleges and universities, and as adults, have a reputation for being self-directed learners and reliable employees.Īlmost ten years ago, when I was making the decision to homeschool, I wrote up a list of pros and cons. There are about two million children currently learning at home. Homeschooling is becoming more popular every day, with a growth rate of 7 to 15 percent per year.

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