I home school my DC, AMA

[ChiefWarlockOfTheWizengamot]

I home school my DC. AMA!

Note: to most of the community, it's home educate rather than home school, but the terms are used interchangeably more widely so I've used home school here.

My son is HE.
He is half way through A levels and been offered a place at his chosen university.
None of the other parents l know who HE are religious or anti vax. Most like myself have other children in school.
Apart from spending time studying at home for a few hours daily, they do everything all other kids their age do.
The biggest issue l have faced is the negativity, ignorance and constant scare mongering from other parents who don't HE.

Yes, this has been a big thing for us - people quite look at us like I've just said my children are made of cheese when I tell them we home ed. I get a lot of "surely that's not legal?" and also "don't you get bored stuck indoors with them all day?" - as if we never go anywhere or see anyone!

Yes, we do for Science because of the cost of the equipment and supplies, although for some things we do skills swaps.

"Is home educating expensive" is a controversial question. If you ask this question on any home ed facebook group you'll get scores of people lining up to tell you it's not expensive at all, it can be done as cheaply as you want it to be, there are loads of free resources online etc. I think this is because people feel defensive and want to show that it isn't just financially privileged middle-class people home educating their children. They're right, it's not; I know lots of people on low incomes and benefits doing it. However, in my opinion it is significantly easier if you have a bit of money to spend on curricula, paid activities, online classes etc. And if you want them to do exams you have to find the money for them to sit them privately, and it's not cheap - something like £250-£500 per exam. There is no financial support from the state available unless your child has an EHCP.

It's cheaper than private school but IME it's more expensive than state education.

If your kids school was in a Smokey area with wood stoves would you be worried about them going to school if your hair smelt Smokey after doing the school run for a few minutes ?

Zombie thread