Does anyone homeschool their children?

I am considering home schooling my son because he doesn't seem to be doing well in middle school. I think he has the potential to learn more at home. Are you home schooling your child and how is it working out for you?

I don't do it, but I know several friends who have done it over the years. One of my best friends homeschooled her daughter from kindergarten to senior year. She is one of the smartest girls I know. She went straight to college, and had no problem getting in.

No. because I'm a school teacher myself and I wanted my sons to learn to interact in the (admittedly complex) school environment. Most of the people who I know who are/were homeschooling put their children into school at the middle school stage - I'd be interested to know if you hear from people who are still homeschooling at that stage. But I sympathise for your concerns about your son...

His grades are horrible and he spends a lot of time in detention. He doesn't do classwork or homework. He gripes about school and he hates it. Mornings are a real issue!I have 2 children who have already graduated from HS and a daughter who is a sophomore. They did well and never caused me this much grief.

Right. You clearly know what to expect, and are right to be concerned! Does he work well with you? One of my sons is a pleasure for me to teach and the other one starts screaming at me the moment I begin to work with him. Oddly enough, he's the one who does best at school. So if you have a good teaching relationship with your son, and have the required knowledge or access to that knowledge (all the good websites out there, for example), maybe this could work. I'd think about his furture, too - will you want him to re-enter the school system at some stage, or could you homeschool him all the way up?

I still don't think homeschooling is the only answer, but I do agree you need to be looking at all your options. I really wish you all the best...

We homeschool our daughter. My wife homeschooled her two kids from her previous marriage. Both of her kids had learning difficulties. One was a gifted genius but had severe ADD and the other had milder ADD but also had dysgraphia. Even though both were bright neither did well in public school. The genius would often get zeros on assignments for things like not putting her name on her paper and the one with dysgraphia could never finish his assignemnts on time. After homeschooling they are now both in college, one studying aeronautical engineering and the other graphic arts.

My mom was a public school teacher and my sister-in-law still is. I thought they would be negative on our decision to homeschool our daughter but I was suprised that in fact they were highly supportive.

I don't have a philosophical problem with public schools, I'm not one of those folks who are against public schools, I think we truely need them. It is just that I think that I can teach my kids better than the schools can. Now that public schools mainly prepare kids for standardized tests I don't think as much education goes on as it did when I was a lad. I read that discussing current events is considered a waste of time in schools because they won't be on the test. The goal of schools now seems to get students to score highly on standardized tests instead of educating them. Education isn't filling a mind with a litany of facts to be regurgitated at test time, education is kindling the spark of curiosity , enthusiasm and creativity that exists in every child and giveing them a life-long love of knowledge and learning. Kindling this spark is our goal teaching our daughter.

I will be homeschooling both of my children starting next school year since we'll be traveling cross country while buying and selling houses without using any of our own cash or credit. 10th grader and 4th grader. I;m excited. I've been reading up on it, and I think homeschooling is the perfect match for us!! Maybe even after the trip!!! Maybe even UNSCHOOLING. Love it. a href=http://www.rollinrealestatetour.comFollow our journey /a

I will be homeschooling both of my children starting next school year since we'll be traveling cross country while buying and selling houses without using any of our own cash or credit. 10th grader and 4th grader. I;m excited. I've been reading up on it, and I think homeschooling is the perfect match for us!! Maybe even after the trip!!! Maybe even UNSCHOOLING. Love it. a href=http://www.rollinrealestatetour.comFollow our journey /a

While it's not always easy, homeschooling is easily the best decision we have made. There is so much available for homeschoolers today that makes our job as parent/teachers a lot easier. Do take the time to de-program your child before you jump into homeschooling though...that is, give him some time to adjust to being home. It's a great time to get him to focus on a favorite hobby. Many homeschoolers I know have homeschooled right through high school with great results in college. I would recommend you get in touch with a local homeschool group. They can answer a lot of your questions and help you get started. Good luck!

I forgot to mention that my neighbor was a member of a co-op of other homeschooled kids and their parents. They met once or twice a week, and had activities. She was also on the swim team at the YMCA, so she wasn't by herself, and she still interacted with other kids.

I did some checking and Florida has a virtual school program. I decided to register my son. There is a waiting list so he won't be able to start right away. I think it may work well for us. He will be able to log in and complete his assignments online.

We belong to a few homeschool groups as well. My problem is that most of the groups in my area are Christian and require members to sign a Statement of Faith in order to join. Since I'm not a Christian I can't join them.

NO WAY what about his social life, trust me he'll hate you for it at 15 when he can't get girlfriend

my daughter homeschools her 3 children in the state of Idaho and the state provides everything on line with k12. I also homeschooled my son who had ADD he was always in trouble because he was so busy all the time and had a hard time sitting still and following rules. it was the best for him and for me. the school let him get behind then at the end of the quarter they would tell me he had 45 assighments he had to make up to pass after 3 times of this I took him out. It wasn't always easy but he tested way ahead of the regular school in the end.

nooo they need to learn how how to handle real life conditions