Will My Child “Miss Out” If I Homeschool?

What’s holding you back from homeschooling? Is it confidence? Is it finances? Perhaps it’s the fear that your child will miss out if you homeschool. I think that’s more normal than you might think. That’s what today’s blog is all about.

Although I did not have an ideal educational experience growing up, I do have some pretty good memories of school–particularly elementary school. A few that come to mind are:

–recess

–holiday parties

–projects

–field trips

–games in class

–friend relationships

-graduations

For you, you might be wondering about sports or band!

So, if you know your child won’t get these in a homeschool setting,

what are you going to do about it?

Recess

Give outside play at home and do park meet-ups with friends. You can also enroll your child into gymnastics or some other sport to get that physical activity. There are homeschool PE classes in some areas of the country. Just get plugged into your local homeschool community to find what is available. If nothing is, get involved and make it happen with the help of a few friends.

Holiday Parties

Having been a teacher from 2002 to 2014, I noticed quite a bit changing in this area. Holiday parties were cut out or lessened in an effort to raise test scores and use every single minute to teach. I knew my child wouldn’t get exactly what I had growing up in this department, so I didn’t feel like he’d miss out all that much. It was an easy fix when he started homeschool kindergarten. I just hosted a party at my house with other homeschool friends and asked them to do the same for other holidays. We still have food and treats as well as games. No missing out!

Projects

I enjoyed making projects at school. It gave me a chance to be creative and be proud of my work. I don’t see how homeschooling will cause a child to miss out on projects. If anything, homeschooling affords more time for children to work on real-life every day projects or develop their talents on creative art or science projects. You can still take photos and videos of your child’s projects. You can still brag on your child’s work and share with others. 

Field Trips

I really enjoyed field trips growing up. For a small town in a poor community, I got to go on plenty of local field trips. Some were hiking. Some were visiting historic places. As a homeschool parent, I have to say we’ve never done a field trip riding on a bus (like I did growing up). However, we’ve visited fire stations, police stations, grocery stores, historic homes, zoos,  state museums, and more! Sometimes, I don’t get a chance to go on the field trip opportunities that are offered. Sometimes we go with a group of friends. Other times we go on the weekend as a family. We share in the love of learning. The field trips don’t look the same as what I had as a child, but they are field trips nonetheless and thoroughly enjoyed by my children (as well as myself). 

Games in Class

Did you ever play games in your class at school? Did you enjoy the silliness or the competition? I certainly did! I have fond memories of playing these games. If you participate in a co-op or a tutorial, your child will have classroom opportunities during which they can play learning games.  My own children have been in small group classes that I’ve taught and offered. They’ve also been in small groups with another homeschool friend of mine. Each time, they get to participate in games and experience a classroom environment. Don’t think that homeschool has to be at home 100% of the time. (For reference, co-ops are groups that get together with all the parents present. Tutorials are groups that parents use to drop off their homeschool children with other parents who are teaching). Both communities give children a classroom experience.

Friend Relationships

I made friends in school just like anyone else. Homeschooling doesn’t mean you are home all the time. There are opportunities to meet up with other homeschoolers and even have play dates with friends who are enrolled in a traditional school. Not all of my friends are homeschool moms! You’re allowed to model for your child how to strike up a conversation and make a friend each and every time you go to a co-op, attend a field trip with a group, or have a park meetup. If your child’s friends stop being friends simply because your child no longer attends a traditional school….were they really a friend anyway? Most of the time children don’t even get to be in the same class as their best friend each and every year of school. 

Graduations

Homeschool communities do have high school graduations. I have attended one before. It was small, but extra special and not boring in the least! The students had caps and gowns. Each student had an influential person come and speak on their behalf. There was a reception afterwards with each student having a special table decorated in their honor. 

My own children have all had a kindergarten graduation, complete with a small musical performance, Pomp and Circumstance, diplomas, and cap and gowns! All it took was determined and involved parents to network and plan a little. We did not miss out. Instead, many children in the public schools locally did not get the same opportunity. One of the graduations was held at a park in 2020! (Yes, we pulled it off!)

Sports, Band, Theatre (and other extracurriculars)

As stated above, I cannot guarantee that your child will be allowed to participate in the public school of your local community. Some homeschoolers have this privilege, but others do not. But if not, you can enroll your child in another sports team or sign your child up at an arts school. We have one arts academy locally that covers theater and music lessons. The children get recitals and the experience of working on art projects together. As for sports, you can sign your child up on a community team. Start by asking around  the local homeschool community to see what sports teams are available in your local area. 

Now, I could reverse the original question and ask,

“What will you or your child miss out on if you DON’T homeschool?”

–Will you have less family time?

–Will your child miss out on opportunities to build confidence?

–Will your child miss out on a customized education–made just for them?

–Will your children miss opportunities to bond with one another?

–Will you miss more chances to shape your child’s worldview and values?

–Will your child learn to love learning?

–Will you know WHO  is teaching your child and WHAT they are teaching your child? 

I could also ask, “Will your child miss out on negative experiences from traditional school if you homeschool?”

The answer is yes; many! That doesn’t mean there will never be challenges, but bullying as we know it is not as likely. Being involved in a school shooting is pretty much impossible if you homeschool. Finally, negative interactions with bad teachers are far less likely to happen. (If you participate in a co-op you will likely personally know the others who are teaching).

It is no doubt a big decision to choose to homeschool. Sometimes I think it’s a bigger decision when a parent decides to withdraw their child from a current school and then begin homeschooling. The child has to have time to adjust. The parent has to have time to adjust. 

I find that reading reviews or testimonials can make a difference and help you decide. You can also check out statistics on homeschooling. Most would surprise you! 

The truth is, that as much as we love things about our childhood or school experience growing up,

we can never exactly recreate it for our children since things are different now.

I try to share with my children good experiences I had in my childhood. I also understand that my children don’t know the difference. They weren’t there when I was growing up. 

There are pros and cons to homeschooling. There are pros and cons to traditional school. 

Speak to parents who are homeschooling (and who have for a while).  Making a pros and cons list for homeschooling and a pros and cons list for traditional school . Talk to more than one family from more than one background. Situations vary so much!

Here is where you have to make a decision:

Which choice has cons that are worse or longer lasting?

Which choice has pros that make a more positive impact?

Follow the decision that brings those pros. 

Only you can make this decision as you know your circumstances better than I do. 

There will be sacrifices along the way: time, money, or something else. Remember, worthwhile experiences usually come with sacrifice. No one said it was easy to homeschool. But honestly, some aspects of it ARE easier due to the freedom in homeschooling.

I want you to realize that I don’t look at homeschooling as missing out. I had asked myself those “missing out” questions before I officially decided to homeschool. I think it’s natural to make those observations and considerations.

  I taught school for 12 years in public and private. I’ve homeschooled for the past 8 years. I’ve seen growth in my own children that I’m satisfied with and proud of. I’m still connected with families who are in traditional schools. I’m not envious of their child’s experiences. I find that the pros I experience in homeschooling far outweigh the cons. 

Have you considered or tried homeschooling? Share your pros and cons below. We all can learn from one another’s experiences! Did you feel like your child was missing out? What did you do to provide special experiences for your child?

Remember, YOU are your child’s most influential teacher!

Watch The Parent Teacher Bridge YouTube channel here!

Order your “We The Parents” custom homeschool tee here!