Homeschool opponents like to point out that homeschoolers avoid talking about downsides of homeschooling. So I thought I would take this moment to mention that homeschooling through high school can be downright hazardous. This is not to say that you should not homeschool through high school, but to inform you that you should be ready and in fighting form.
Hazard #1: Their crowd gets smaller every year. Each year as we gather at our homeschool classes or activities we find that the number of kids in our children’s age group has gotten smaller. There seems to be a gazillion teeny tiny homeschoolers, but once they hit middle school, they begin heading back to public school. There’s nothing wrong with this for the kids who feel it is time for them to have a more standardized education, but for those left behind, the parents have a bit of moral raising to do. (Read Reasons to Quit Homeschooling)
Hazard #2: There are hormones flying everywhere, and you never know when you are going to be hit. The attitudes aren’t’ necessarily nasty, and they still like to be around me, but they seem to be at each other’s throats. But I’ve got a cure for nastiness and mean-spirit-ness. If they have nothing better to do than to harass each other, then they have time to do the dishes or clean a bathroom.
Hazard #3: Curriculum can be costly. The older the students get, the more curriculum costs. This is especially true if you are trying to use programs that colleges will accept as high school credit.
Hazard #4: We are on the last leg of homeschooling. This is where we prove that it was worth the journey. Curriculum is more intensive. Ambitious goals are set. There is a lot of work to do. Pair that with the fact that they need extracurricular activities that will help them stand out on college applications and in life, and it is clear that parents and kids will expend the greatest amount of energy in the last 4 years.,
Fortunately, this is honestly and truly all the hazards I could think of. While the journey on this last leg of homeschooling won’t be easy, I don’t think it will kill me… or them. As the saying goes… what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.
Read more about homeschooling high school students.