Deciding to homeschool your children is a big step for the entire family, and it should be weighed very carefully in advance. There are both benefits and disadvantages that should be considered honestly and without bias, and so here are the top 10 pros and cons of homeschooling.

Pros

1. Perhaps the biggest advantage to homeschooling your children is that you know exactly what they are learning and have complete control over when and how they learn it.

2. Another big advantage is being able to allow each child to learn at their own pace without either having to keep up with an entire classroom of faster learners, or be bored because they are way ahead of everyone else in class.

3. You are also able to impart instruction not only on academic matters but also help transfer the values and beliefs of your family to your children without interference.

4. Another great benefit of homeschooling your children is being able to protect them from negative influences that they may become exposed to in the public school or private school system. This could include intense peer pressure, bullies, drugs, and so forth.

5. Homeschooling also allows you to become more familiar with your children's natural talents and abilities so you can help steer their education toward a career that they would enjoy.

Cons

1. Perhaps one of the biggest disadvantages of homeschooling that is commonly expressed by some parents is the feeling that you never have any time to yourself, or just a break from the children.

2. Of course, the cost factor is also somewhat of a disadvantage, as you will most likely spend more money on homeschooling your children than you would on sending them to public school.

3. It's also a challenge, but not impossible, to help arrange socializing for your children with others that are their own age.

4. You may also encounter unexpected opposition and resistance from family and friends who do not understand your decision to homeschool your children.

5. You'll need to be exceptionally organized as both a parent and teacher in order to get housework and homeschooling accomplished in the same day.

As you can see, there are plenty of both pros and cons to homeschooling your children. And there is no right or wrong answer for every parent when it comes to making this kind of decision. So take your time, consider the information in this article, and make your decision based on what will be best for you and your children.

Steadman Issenburg writes on many consumer related topics including education. You can find accredited home schools and homeschool curriculums and more by visiting our education website.