Disadvantages of Homeschooling – I Am Missing Out!
One of the big perceived disadvantages of homeschooling is that a mother has to give up too much to homeschool. At times I do have twinges when I wonder if that is true.
The other day I got a little jealous when one of my friends told me what she had been up to while her kids were at school. I felt indignant. I was missing out on doing that. It’s not the first time these feelings have surfaced. I’ve missed out on quite a few things whilst homeschooling. However when I truly examine my situation I realise I am doing what I want to be doing.
Disadvantages of Homeschooling – Giving Up My Career
About 7 years ago I returned to part time work for a short stint in order to keep my nursing registration up to date. As part of the refresher course I worked full time for a month. So I had to organise for my kids to be homeschooled by a collection of family and friends. As I walked the corridors of the hospital for my third week full time, I found myself wondering what my children were doing. I realised then and there that in pursuing a career I was missing out. As much as I enjoyed working as a registered nurse, I knew where I wanted to be most of all and that was at home with my children—learning and maturing with them. I was missing out on being with my children. Work and play was always going to be there but my time with my kids would not.
Disadvantages of Homeschooling – A Choice
These days the missing out feeling still comes, but it is only fleeting. Homeschooling has enabled me to do so many things I could never have done had I not chosen this lifestyle.
- I can give my children a private education and save on school fees.
- I can sit on the couch reading books with my kids for ages.
- I can run our homeschool schedule to suit my husband and children.
- I can pursue family interests. I can develop friendships with other homeschool mums.
- I can have my own home business.
- I can go on holidays out of school holidays.
- I can go on and on…
As I look back on twelve years of homeschooling I realise I haven’t missed much at all.
I am so blessed and privileged to be at home with my children.
I am thankful to have the time to share our family values with them.
I enjoy learning with my children. We are all growing and living together. I am hopeful for their future.
I feel fortunate to have had this opportunity.
Other Disadvantages of Homeschooling
Homeschooling is a commitment and a sacrifice and you do face many challenges that are special to homeschooling.
These include:
- Homeschool burnout,
- Lost motivation in your teenage students,
- Finding ways to homeschool when you are sick,
- Dashed expectations,
- Having to be unselfish when you really want to be selfish,
- Battling with anxiety
First Published March 2013.
MAR
About the Author:
Michelle Morrow is an author & publisher of homeschooling books and resources. She can be found at homeschoolingdownunder.com. Her experience as a homeschool mum mean that she understands what works (and what doesn't) in the homeschool. She wants to help homeschoolers to homeschool. Her resources, advice and curriculum ideas are there to make homeschooling easier.