Why Do Parents Homeschool Their Child? 14 Reasons

You may be wondering why more and more parents decide to homeschool their children.

And they do so for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is that they want to provide better education to their child than what is available in public schools or private schools. Others want more control over the curriculum and teaching methods. Still, others want to give their children more personal attention or allow them to learn at their own pace.

Why do parents homeschool their child?

Homeschooling can offer a number of advantages over traditional schooling, including customized instruction, one-on-one attention, and learning at your own pace. In addition, homeschooled students typically score higher on standardized tests and college entrance exams. They also have more opportunities to socialize with other homeschooled children. And finally, they can avoid the stress of standardized tests and peer pressure.

The number of parents willing to homeschool their children is increasing massively (especially after the COVID pandemic); the Pandemic has taught us the different new ways to live and indeed! homeschooling is one of them.

As of research, 43% more parents gravitate towards homeschooling after the COVID and 68% of parents who have experienced homeschooling during the era (i.e., in 2020) found it satisfactory.

But! Is homeschooling more effective?

Let’s uncover and go through different reasons why do parents homeschool their child; plus, we’ll figure out whether you are qualified to homeschool your children or not!

1. Better education of a child

Who does not want to give the best education to their child?

Obviously, every parent wants the best education for their child.

In home-based learning, a parent can teach their children based on what they think is best for them, unlike in public schools where subjects are forced upon students. Parents have full control over this point and can set a strong foundation of basic facts and knowledge before letting the child learn more by themselves.

2. Control over the curriculum

One of the key benefits of homeschooling is the ability for parents to have complete control over the curriculum. Unlike in traditional school settings, homeschooling allows parents to tailor their children’s education to meet their individual needs and learning styles. If a child is struggling to grasp a concept as it is presented in the curriculum guide, parents can make immediate adjustments and modifications to ensure better understanding. Moreover, parents have the flexibility to include additional topics or remove certain subjects right from the beginning, without the need for approval from school administrators.

This level of autonomy empowers parents to create a customized educational experience that best suits their child’s unique abilities, interests, and pace of learning.

3. One-on-one attention

For optimal learning outcomes, individualized instruction through one-on-one tutoring, such as homeschooling, can be highly beneficial. This personalized approach offers several benefits that can contribute to effective learning.

Firstly, your child receives dedicated attention from the tutor or parent, ensuring a focused and individualized learning experience. This allows for a deep understanding of concepts and the opportunity to address specific areas of difficulty.

Additionally, homeschooling enables your child to learn at their own pace, without the constraints of a traditional classroom where the entire class must progress together. This flexibility ensures that your child can thoroughly grasp and master each topic before moving on, enhancing their overall comprehension and knowledge retention.

By tailoring the educational process to your child’s needs and providing a supportive learning environment, homeschooling empowers them to reach their full academic potential.

Related: Homeschooling an only child, the benefits and pitfalls

4. Learning at your own pace

Some students learn better when they are allowed to take their time, while others benefit from being pushed to do more work in less time. Homeschooling parents have the flexibility of customizing their child’s curriculum and keeping it as per the students’ needs.

Whether a student requires additional time to fully understand a subject or flourishes with a more challenging workload within a shorter timeframe, homeschooling empowers parents to adapt the curriculum accordingly. By recognizing and accommodating their child’s learning style, homeschooling parents can provide an optimal educational environment that maximizes the student’s potential for success.

5. Avoid the stress of standardized tests

Children who are not performing well in school can also be affected by the pressure to do better on state-mandated exams. These students may even start cutting classes or doing poorly on homework just because they are afraid that their test scores will reflect badly on them, which does nothing to help their actual grades. Homeschooling parents avoid this problem by allowing their kids to take tests on their own time.

6. Socializing with other homeschoolers

Children who are not able to get along well in school can benefit from being homeschooled. This way, they will be able to socialize with other students who may share the same interests as them.

Yes, who says homeschoolers can’t make friends! They can…

7. Scoring higher on standardized tests

It is proven that homeschooled children score higher on standardized tests and also in college entrance exams. 

Why is this?

Homeschooled children are not exposed to a lot of distractions and can focus on their subjects more (that matter most). In addition, they have the flexibility of customizing their curriculum based on what works best for them.

8. Personal attention from parents

This one point will decide whether you (as a parent) should homeschool your child or not.

In homeschooling, there is nothing but time and effort that a parent needs to put in. Time spent with a child is never wasted because parents can spend it teaching their children using the best methods and approaches available.

Learning time with a parent is more productive compared to going to school where teachers have a lot of things going on at once.

9. One subject at a time

This should also be considered a perk of homeschooling. In a classroom, there are different groups of students who have diverse backgrounds and learning needs. Teachers have to take each student’s level into consideration when delivering lessons, which can make it hard for them to stay on top of their game.

But with homeschooling, it’s not the case.

10. Stress-free summer vacations

“We found that homeschooling allowed us to have a more stress-free summer vacation,” says Laura, a mother of three from Montclair, New Jersey.”

Homeschoolers can have Stress-free summer vacations because they can travel when the crowds are gone and plan their own schedule.

1. Plan ahead so you know what you will be doing each day.
2. Make sure to set aside time for relaxation and fun.
3. Get organized so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.
4. Take breaks as needed to avoid burnout.

11. Easier transition to college

College-bound students who were homeschooled have an easier time transitioning to college because they are used to being independent learners. They understand that studying for their exams is something that they need to do on their own, which makes them better prepared for study life at the university.

12. Better preparation for adulthood

Accountability matters everywhere. And Homeschooling makes your kid better prepared for its future.

Moreover, there are many jobs that require specialized skills or certifications before you can get hired. Homeschooled children are exposed to a wide range of skills and knowledge, which makes them well-rounded individuals who can start working right away or gain admission to almost any institution they want to go to.

13. Know your children more thoroughly

Homeschooling parents get to spend all day with their kids, so they can get to know them better than teachers who only get to spend part of their day with these children. They can look out for signs that their child needs extra help or is having difficulty adjusting to school.

Enhanced family bonds: Homeschooling often strengthens the bonds between parents and children as they spend significant amounts of time together in the learning process. This close-knit family dynamic fosters strong relationships, communication, and shared experiences, creating a supportive and nurturing family environment.

14. Teach kids in a way that works best for them

There’s no age limit to homeschooling, so parents have the freedom to design a curriculum that will engage their kids or teach them based on what interests them and this is one of the reasons why do parents homeschool their child.

In short, they can do things according to how it is most effective for the child.

Why parents shouldn’t homeschool their children?

Well, most of us do not consider the major downsides of homeschooling that can affect (and even ruin) children’s education.

I don’t know why, but I feel important to include this disclaimer in my all guides (even if it is not part of what you’re reading here i.e., reasons why homeschool is better).

Question: Why shouldn’t consider homeschooling?

Well, there are some major factors that you should think about including,

• Potential gaps in education: If parents do not create a well-structured homeschooling curriculum, there is a risk of gaps in their children’s education.

• Limited socialization opportunities: Homeschooling may result in fewer opportunities for socialization with peers outside of the immediate homeschooling community.

• Parental qualifications: Parents may not have the expertise or qualifications to teach certain subjects, which could impact the quality of education in those areas. There is no guarantee that parents are well-equipped to teach their children all the subjects they need to know.

You can also check out the detailed guide on why homeschooling isn’t for everyone, and even it’s important for you to know this (as I believe).

Read also our guide: Tips on how to go back to public school after homeschool

Conclusion

In conclusion, homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular type of education, especially for those parents who seek an effective education with an individualized approach to their child’s learning. Homeschooling has many advantages, but its possible disadvantages should also be considered.

I hope this article has provided you with all the information and resources you need to make an informed decision about whether homeschooling is right for your family. I want my readers to know what they are getting into before they make a decision, so I have listed some of the major advantages and disadvantages that may arise when choosing homeschooling over traditional education. Ultimately, each parent must decide what is best for their child – going to public school or working with a private tutor.

What about you? Don’t forget to share your views with us via the comment section.

Also check out: 9 conspicuous reasons why homeschooling is bad for children