Home-Schooling or Public School? Which One Should Parents Choose?

Deciding on whether to home-school or put your child in public school is likely to be one of the biggest decision's you will ever make. As a parent, you want to make sure that your child receives the best quality education possible. You want to know that they can grow up to be responsible and educated adults that can handle life in the real world and apply the skills they have learned all of their lives toward something that will benefit their future. So the questions remains: Should you home-school or put your child in public school? Let's take a look at some of the pro's and con's of each decision:

Home-Schooling vs. Public School Pros and Cons:

Home-Schooling Pros

One of the biggest benefits of a child who is home-schooled is that they get to learn from the comfort of their own home, so it is a lot easier to concentrate because they are not in the presence of their other peers who may want to socialize, pass notes, etc. Children also do not have to worry about what clothes to wear and "fitting in" with the crowd. There are no popularity contests to be won. Since it is the parent who will most likely be teaching them, they can easily work together to find their own style of learning. They may also have an easier time learning because they will be spending much more time focusing on their work and less time socializing and trying to please their peers.

Home-Schooling Cons

Although there may be more one-on-one time with student and teacher, the lack of socializing may not work out so well in the long run. A lot of people believe that putting a child in public school is the best decision because it gives them a chance to work, socialize, and learn how to interact with other people - a crucial component when finally getting out in the real world. They also have a chance to form friendships, which is something that all children need. The reality of it all is that there will be a time that they will grow up and have to become a part of society.

Public School Pros

As stated above, allowing a child to be around other children their age is a healthy developmental necessity - however it is not the only way to go about it. There are obviously classes and daycare centers that children can get enrolled in to help with this. However, public school provides the complexities needed in order to help a child deal with some of life's most complicated issues. For example, let's say that your child is put into a class with a lot of other loud children. This offers a challenge that your child will most likely be able to overcome and in turn, help them to strengthen the skills they already have.

Public School Cons

Not all children have an easy time staying focused, which is why public school may not be the best option, at least not for the entire time your child is in school. Some parents choose to take their children out of public school so they can study instead of socialize and/or get into trouble. There is always the chance of the child getting involved with "the wrong crowd" and completely ditching their passion for learning and developing more of a desire to stand out with their friends. Many teachers in public schools nowadays also demonstrate favoritism toward certain students and ignore others. This can become a real problem and create frustration, tension, friction, and also interfere with the child's ability to learn and receive the attention he or she needs.

Ultimately, the decision is up to you. It is best to weigh both the pros and cons of each decision and combine with your current circumstances when trying to come up with a final outcome. In any event, you can always try both. It is all about what works out to be the best for your child. All children are different, so what works for one will not necessarily work for another. Make sure that you take all factors into consideration, give it some real thought, and you will be guaranteed to make the best decision for your child.