To ask what you think when you hear a child is home educated

[turquoiseamethyst]

I suppose I am trying to gauge a range of opinions.

I am seriously - possibly definitely (definitely maybe?) going to be home schooling my 8 year old for a period of time.

I don't know why I'm worried; perhaps because it's so beyond the norm of what we have experienced before. I don't know anyone who home educates; I wasn't educated at home myself and I think I have known rather a lot of people who are very much of the view that school is all important. I've never particularly subscribed to that view but I've always wanted my children to have a 'normal' upbringing and going to school seems very much a part of that?

Does anyone have any views? As I'm going to possibly be de registering him tomorrow?

[StrawberryDaiquiriPlease]

I think... How do you afford that then? And... Don't tell DS, he'll be Soooo jealous.

[Boomf]

I think it's slightly strange and a bit earnest. JMO

[turquoiseamethyst]

Strawberry I haven't worked for a while, to be entirely honest - not completely by choice but at any rate I do have independent 'wealth' such as it is!

[turquoiseamethyst]

Being thought of as 'strange' is off-putting, not so much for me but certainly for DS.

[TheNoodlesIncident]

It depends on what your reasons are. Some people have truly excellent reasons which transcend all the perceived benefits of school. I know of one person who appears to be doing it simply because she likes teaching her children herself.

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

I'd hope you'd do plenty of research and have a proper plan for it rather than asking on mumsnet the night before. I seem to recall there was a thread on here recently with (almost) your exact title.

[RueDeWakening]

I have friends who home ed, I'm slightly envious of them tbh. One home ed-ing friend has just found out her eldest passed the 11+ (which he asked to take), so he's off to a superselective grammar in September.

[DisappointedOne]

I know several homeschoolers. I think they're amazing.

[PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange]

I think the parents are very brave.

I wouldn't have the confidence to Home educate, I know I wouldn't be able to get the best results like teacher who have trained and qualified to teach.

[Cubee]

I'd think "Hooray! I hope you love it as much as we do".

(Strawberry - I afford it by working evenings/weekends. Other families make use of childcare swaps, family help, au pair, self employment, and good old fashioned frugal living.)

[oneowlgirl]

I don't think much to be honest (as in no particular opinion), but do wonder about friends & socialising, as it seems quite solitary to me.

[Charitybelle]

I'm afraid I always feel a bit sorry for the child. Unless it's a temporary measure, I think they miss out. School isn't just about the curriculum, it's a microcosm of society and they learn so much from going out into the world every day.

Obviously some people have no choice but to home school, and I do empathise. However, it's not a choice I would make for my dc.

[claraagain]

Honestly? I think does the child have SEN (possibly not acknowledged by parent and/or recognised by school) Is there a safeguarding issue ( trying to get under the radar) Does the parent really understand what home education involves? Does child want to be home educated?

[Froggio]

I always wonder why one would home school, is it lack of confidence in the education system? - just out of interest, why are you home schooling? Each to their own, I'm sure you've done your research into it. I know it's not the norm and there are groups for home schooled kids now so that they don't miss out on the social aspect of school.

[DisappointedOne]

OP, check out local home-ed groups in your area.

[jaynebxl]

The first time I met a mum who was home schooling I asked her why and she said because she couldn't bear to wave her two children off in the morning and not spend all her time with them. This seemed like a pathetic reason to me and now when I hear someone is doing it the first thing I think is poor children, they're really missing out.

[Mitlillehus]

I think the mother (it's usually the mother) either must be mad or desperate.

I'm not the best person to ask though. My children's school is good and their teachers are great. I couldn't compete. I just couldn't compete with good teachers because I'm not a teacher. I also like handing over my children to the school and having a break/going to work/not paying for childcare.

[turquoiseamethyst]

Gosh testing - bit rude! - and not sure if the insinuation is that the other thread was me, but it wasn't!

No, I haven't done 'research', I'm just trying to do what's right for my child at this particular point and I generally feel I'm fairly good at doing the right thing! But I fell asleep earlier (I have a daughter who Had me up at 4!) and tomorrow is praying on my mind a bit so I thought I'd ask on here and get some views!

Noodles , genuinely, what's wrong with that?

[ColdCottage]

My neighbours three where home school children and they lived up to my preconceptions. They were sheltered and didn't mix well with other children or have any interest in doing so.
However I don't think it has to be like this and for them it was more the parents doing than the children. Nice family though.
I think if they still have weekly opportunities to mix with others and you are up to the job and feel passionate about it, good for you.

[OinkBalloon]

I'd be curious and want to know more. Not because I want to do it, too, but simply genuine interest in a different way of life.

I know several families who homeschool for various reasons.

[SummerSazz]

I know 2 homeschoolers - one who is pretty lazy and I think CBA to take DC to school and the other who is an ex primary teacher and does amazing stuff with her kids.

So I just think there are a range of people who do it for a bunch of reasons, some more 'worthy' than others.

Not strange per se but not afraid to be different

[FirstWeTakeManhattan]

We started to home educate 18 months ago (DC 7, 5 and 1). We have a big support network and the children have a large range of friends who they see four or five times a week at various groups and outings, within the home ed community. So they feel very 'normal' - I would be more reluctant if we didn't have that, but there's probably something similar in many parts of the country.

There's a ton of information and resources online - it's far less scary than I thought it would be. Lots of places are home ed friendly and we go on an organised outing most weeks.

In our experience, it's brilliant. It's great fun, and really stimulating seeing how much the children learn.

I was really, really apprehensive, but we haven't looked back. It's not necessarily forever, but it's great for now.

Good luck, OP!

[christinarossetti]

I feel a bit awestruck, I think. It's such a colossal thing to take on, but it must be amazing if it works.

It wasn't an option for us for various reasons, and I'm not sure that I could cope with further intensity in my and dd's relationship.

What's a 'normal' upbringing anyway? Being loved, supported, taught, encouraged and helped to realise your potential comes from a number of sources - school is one for a lot of kids but not necessarily suitable for all.

[turquoiseamethyst]

Interesting views, thanks.

Out of interest, do people feel sorry for children who attend school and are unhappy for whatever reason?

My reasons - well reason really - is that DS doesnt want to go. That sounds quite mild written down but he completely panics and freezes if it's on the cards.

Home ed may be for a month or it may be for a year - I just don't know!

He was never a massive socialiser at school anyway.

[KeepitDown]

Like some others have said, I think it depends a lot on your reasons.

I was homeschooled and wouldn't choose it again for myself, nor my children. However, I also had an awful home life, so difficult for me to separate the experience from that.

I do think it has made me slightly out of step with the rest of the social world though.