As this school year winds down some parents may be wondering about the benefits of homeschooling.  Perhaps you have been thinking about homeschooling for awhile and the idea has started to grow on you.or maybe the school system you are using seems to be going downhill.  In any case, you have started to think more seriously about bringing your child home but it seems like an overwhelming step right now.  Are the benefits worth the time and emotional investment involved?

Most homeschoolers believe that they are.  Certainly the positive aspects of homeschooling will vary from place to place, family to family, and even year to year but over all the benefits far outweigh the investment for most people.

It is hard to argue the academic benefits.  Most public school systems are overcrowded.  The teachers are overworked and underpaid.  Classrooms are overcrowded with many undisciplined students.  The threat of violence looms and negative peer pressure increases year by year.

Contrast the conventional school system’s teacher to student ratio of 35:1 to the homeschool ratio of 1:1, 2:1, or even 6:1 for big families.  With this kind of student –teacher ratio your child is more likely to get the help he needs.  If he is having a difficult time understanding a concept you will be immediately aware of it.  After all, does anyone know your child better than you do?

A child’s individual learning style, his unique vision and voice become part of the process of living. Many times disabilities like dyslexia, ADHD, ADD and others improve remarkably in a homeschool environment.

Since the school day is usually much less than the conventional school day, your child can spend time doing what he loves to do, pursuing his interests, or honing his skills.   This leads to less stress in the home environment as well as less stress in the child.  They have the ability to concentrate on excellence in a particular area, and really run with it and that builds confidence.  No subject is necessarily better than another so a child who is a gifted cook can feel as proud of his accomplishments as the one who is great at math.

Homeschooled children are often more comfortable in a group that consists of a wide variety of people than are conventionally schooled children.  This is because the homeschooled child spends his days moving in a variety of situations and dealing with a variety of events.  Frankly, he learns to converse intelligently on many levels rather than learning the common language of his peers.

Another benefit to homeschooling is that children within a family have closer relationships.  There is generally less fighting and more camaraderie than in siblings that attend school. Since brothers and sisters are the primary playmates deep relationships are formed and nurtured.

When the parent is also the teacher the child is not conflicted about his role models. The combination of time spent together, working through problems, and a copious amount of communication keeps the relationship fresh and real.  The child is more secure and the parents are aware of the inner needs and struggles of their child.

A common criticism of homeschooling is the lack, or perceived lack, of socialization.  It is a common joke among the parents of homeschooled teens that they could do with a little less socialization!

In a class of 35 twelve year olds each child will be at a similar level of development and maturity.  Each child will be dealing with similar hormonal issues, rebellion issues, and as they look to the others in their peer group they find that their behavior is normal and acceptable because everyone is in the same stage.  Shy children, children with disabilities, and others may be singled out for bullying and teasing.  There is no reason to act differently, all are acting the same. A conventionally schooled child often has difficulty communicating and expressing him in a variety of situations.  He just does best when communicating with his own age group.

A homeschooled child readily communicates with people in many different walks of life and ages.  He learns to adjust to the group he is speaking with.  Because of this he often comes across as thoughtful and mature.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of benefits of homeschooling.

• You can pass your moral and spiritual beliefs on to your child without any other input
• Less family stress
• Fewer germs mean the family is healthier
• Safe learning environment.
• Parents can control what the child learns as well as when he learns it.
• Homeschooled children tend to be confident

There will always be days when your homeschooling experience makes you want to cry.  Homeschoolers, like everyone else, have great days and not so great days.  What you have to consider are the overall benefits of homeschooling for your family over a period of time.