I am a teacher by profession but today I'll be talking from the perspective of a mother or a parent. I know some people will after reading this say I'm just saying it because I am a teacher and I need the money, well... Think whatever you want.
If I were to choose between homeschooling and traditional schooling I would always pick traditional schooling anytime and any day. I want the best for my child just like every other parent out there. Homeschooling is actually not as easy as people think it is, the little time I have with my children, during the holidays I can barely get him to write or focus.
Homeschooling has its advantages and so does traditional schooling. During homeschooling, you can decide what your child learn and how your child learns that thing, you can decide what your child needs to learn and what your child doesn't need. One thing we don't know, that thing you think your child doesn't need today will affect the child tomorrow because the child has no knowledge of that thing.
When we talk about social interactions that's when traditional schooling comes in, you can teach a child at home and that's okay but you can't teach the child how to interact socially. Aside social interaction, traditional schooling also helps the child in various ways and opens the child to different perspectives of things and topics. When a child goes to school and comes back, you ask the child what he or she was taught, then you explain your thought ok the topics the child mentions, that's giving the child different perspective on the same topics taught in school.
As a parent, I have seen how children ask questions and learn from one another. Sometimes, a child can understand something better when another child explains it in a simple way. They also learn important things like sharing, patience, teamwork, kindness, and how to solve disagreements.
I also understand the concern that schools may teach children only what the government allows. Parents may not agree with everything taught in schools. For me, however, I believe I can still guide my children at home. I can talk to them about what they learn, correct anything I think is wrong, and teach them the values I want them to have.
Sending my children to school doesn't mean I am leaving everything in the hands of the teachers. I still have a big responsibility as their parent. I need to ask questions, check their schoolwork, listen to what they are learning, and support them at home. I love my kids because despite that they attend school where I work, on our way back from school, they begin to explain things that happened and what their teacher taught them and I have love listening to them because sometimes I make corrections to what they have been taught.
For me, traditional school is the better choice. I want my children to learn from different teachers, meet different people, experience life outside the home, and discover things I may not be able to teach them myself.
At the end of the day, I am not choosing school because I do not want to teach my children. I am choosing it because I know I cannot teach them everything. I want them to have a wider learning experience, and I believe traditional school can give them that opportunity while I continue to guide and support them as their parent. I love my kids and I'll always choose what's best for them.
all images are mine.
