Negative Effects of Homeschooling:

Part II

This article continues the litany of negative effects of homeschooling begun in part I. As responsible homeschooling parents, we need to be aware of the cons of homeschooling. Then we are ready to remedy them.

• Mom will be too involved with the children and the parents' relationship will suffer.
  Negative Effects of Homeschooling--A Maybe

  Once we realize that this is a possibility, we can be on guard.

  The key is to prioritize ...For example, God, husband, children.

  1.) We must build an ever-growing relationship with God...never to be neglected. Mass, prayer, Bible reading and just plain talking with Him and the saints. Make time for this daily.

  2.) We Moms are totally dedicated to each of our children from, let's say, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. So the arrows in our quiver are well-cared for.

  3.) In-between one-on-one with each youngster, we deal with a basket of laundry, minimally straighten the abode and throw ingredients into the crock-pot for dinner. (Housekeeping is way down on the list of things of lasting importance. Just clean enough to be healthy and happy.)

  4.) So who is second in our little list? Our husbands. You, naturally, are the expert in your relationship with your husband. But the following are a few of my ideas to act as a springboard to your creativity:

  --As much as possible, make home education a joint effort. Dad is vital.

  "There are also benefits for the father in the (Catholic) homeschooling family. Father can see, provide, and protect his family in his home. They are not scattered around in different schools during the day, scattered at dinnertime at different school-sponsored sports events, scattered after dinner with school friends or social activities away from home." (Dr. Mary Kay Clark, Director of Seton Home School)
  

  --Send short, cheery notes to him at his office.
  --Set aside time nightly just for you two. Let the children know that your relationship is primary.
  --Use body language...lots of hugs and squeezes.
  --Talk. Don't complain, but discuss how you can help each other.
  --Smile.
  --Act kindly. Notice where you and the children might surprise him. Clean his car or the garage, for example.
  --Date regularly. Hire a sitter (teen-age homeschool girls are the best!) or ask the grandparents.

  

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• The children won't have the latest technology available to them.
  Negative Effects of Homeschooling--Not Relevant

  Many schools do have the hottest technology, and what, you say, is the result??? Are students better off or any smarter?

  Machines are tools. They can definitely make life easier. For homeschoolers, technology can be used as a teaching tool, information resource and home/school organizer.

  All of us should have computer knowledge. Even if one doesn't own a computer (not likely!), they are readily available. Libraries offer their use free. Cities and school districts sponsor computer courses which are very inexpensive.

  But technology doesn't teach a student good study habits and love of learning. If a homeschooler develops these crucial necessities, then he can quickly pick up the "how-to's" of a machine. This is certainly not one of the negative effects of homeschooling!

  Note: At our house, we have computers. We also have a very nice microscope from my husband's college days, mid-1960's. (latest technology??) Yet, our children learned biology and chemistry in high school. When our fourth child, who has a science interest, arrived at college last year, he simply learned to use the high-tech lab equipment. He went on to successfully study college chemistry I and II, biology II and organic chemistry.

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• The Mother is worn to a frazzle.
  Negative Effects of Homeschooling--Not True

  Rather than producing negative effects of homeschooling, teaching at home leads a woman to greater fulfillment and joy.

  A few of the benefits to the Mother who educates her own children:

  --It provides opportunity to fulfill her responsibility in the vocation to educate her children.
  --It provides a maturing process in which she learns self-sacrifice and other virtues.
  --She experiences the pleasure and rewards of teaching and working with her children to become the best that they can be.
  --She finds joy in her youngsters successes--learning to read, writing a report, understanding his faith.

  This list doesn't include the day-to-day blessings which cause her heart to soar...a child's smile and hug...shared laughter...overcoming an obstacle together..snuggling and reading...finding creative solutions to problems...helping another Mom...bringing her child to Jesus and Mary...

  Note: My Mother lived with us in her later years. She was with us when we began homeschooling twenty years ago. After a few months, I asked her what she thought of home education. She said that she was very much in favor of it because I was so much happier. No longer was I so rushed and worried. (We had just fought school authorities over a sex ed program.) I was much calmer and more cheerful.

There is the potential for negative effects of homeschooling. But with thought and care, these "disadvantages of homeschooling" can be transformed into lasting positives.

Negative Effects of Homeschooling--Part I

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