I was enrolled in both public school (grades K-6) and home school (7-12) and I have to admit that I preferred the home-schooled experience much more than the public school. I was blessed to be in a language immersion course in public school since I was considered advanced, but that was pretty much the only advantage to the public experience that wasn't met or exceeded by my home-schooled experience.

As far as the social concerns, it really does depend on what YOU do to overcome them. Contrary to popular belief, you can raise a social butterfly in a home-schooled environment, and they may actually be more socially adjusted and ready for the "real world" after they leave home if you do it properly. I recommend enrolling your child in at least one physical sport-like activity (mine was martial arts and dance, at different times) and one artistic activity (piano, pottery, sewing, and vocal lessons, once again at different times). If you live in an area that has high respect for home-schooling families, the state may offer to pay a portion or all of the tuition costs for these classes, but if they don't, it is still worth every penny. Not only do you get the benefit of a high quality sports and art program, which isn't a guaranteed in any public school these days, you will also keep them in contact with other children in a variety of age groups. My closest friends came from my extra curricular programs, even when I was enrolled in public school.

In addition, you can keep your child socially active by utilizing home-school co-ops, where different home-schooling families get together about once a week to teach all the children on a certain subject, like creative writing, American history, etc. This way, your child will still participate in group projects, and get some "classroom style" experience, while still having more control on their educational progress than most standard schooling options allow. Church groups, play groups, and other activities can round a child out socially as well.

I was able to get much more from my education experience when I was home-schooled, especially when I was in my last few years of high school and took the responsibility of my education on myself. I was the one that checked to make sure that I was enrolled in all the required classes to graduate on time, I was the one that met with my area's educational coordinator (akin to a school principle, making sure I'm not just goofing off instead of learning) to update him on my progress and fill out any paperwork or such, and I was ultimately responsible for making sure that I did my work properly and on time, scheduling testing and paying course late fees if I didn't manage my time correctly. Because of this, I was MUCH better prepared for college (and dealing with professors) than most of my peers who came from traditional schooling.

After all that I experienced, I am choosing to home-school my children. It is nerve wracking for someone who is not familiar with home-schooling (my husband still a bit worried, but is trusting my experience and judgement on the matter) but I'd suggest doing your research by attending home-school fairs, talking with those who home school, and checking your state's and city's laws on the subject. You may have to pass certain requirements to even try to home-school your child legally. See what resources are available in your area and figure out what approach would be best for you. There are so many different options for home-schooling, and most are never really discussed. You might decided to work in cooperation with your local public school, work through a certified third party program that keeps you in the loop of all laws, opportunities, and support in your area (what I was part of and my recommendation to others), or go at it completely on your own. You may order corresponding courses from a certified institution (like I did, and it was very close to taking college courses online) or work from a variety of work books that are available.

Just remember, it isn't all or nothing. Home-schooling isn't right for every child or every family. You may want to try it for a semester or a year before fully committing to the lifestyle or particular method of teaching. It does take more work than simply sending your child to a public school every day. However, it allows for so much more educational opportunity than most people can even imagine and you will have the peace of mind of knowing what their learning and how they are progressing each step of the way.

Finally, don't by into the myth that a home-schooled child is going to be socially repressed or shy. While true in some very small and extreme cases, my experience has been that home-schooled students are just as socially adjusted and active as any other child, and in some cases, they are better off. Take a look around you, and you may be surprised to find out who was home-schooled.

I homeschooled two of my children during middle and high school. I think it is a wonderful thing to do. I would recommend that you start them younger so they (and you) are used to it. It is easier to start something when they are little and continue into the teenage years than to change them as teenagers! My daughter is homeschooling her children from kindergarten. My sister, also, has always homeschooled her children. Her oldest just received his master's degree at a public college. He had no problem transitioning and his education was solid. Also, stay involved in play dates, church groups and any other social groups that will keep them busy and happy.

I was never home schooled, but working as an English and Math tutor while I was at college I just want to suggest that you outsource or find a way to compensate for your personal weaknesses - ie. upper-level math, science labs - through tutors or groups. I deeply respect those who want to home school and have the drive, stamina and resources to do so. But, a word of caution:

A fellow student and friend was home schooled and besides a few social idiosyncrasies that could just be personality traits, no one ever could have told. BUT, her parents weren't proficient in math past basic Algebra I, including geometry, fractions, trigonometry, etc. This bright young girl wants to be an English teacher, but because she has very little foundation in mathematics, she has failed the math portion of the Praxis test (standardized test needed for most public school teachers in the region) several times (3? 4?) even though we worked for countless hours studying together.

Best of luck to those who go that route! Just wanted to throw in my 2cents!

Yes! I homeschool my middle-school son, and I intend to do the same for my daughter when she reaches middle-school. They had great lower grade experiences, but I really am skeptical about the new thinking that is entering public school ( which has been introduced at the middle-school level).

Homeschooling can allow for a rich, quality education for free, but as a newbie, and especially if you are a working parent, the tendency is to buy curriculum. I do it both ways. We love it, but for my son that might have alot to do with the horrible adults at the last school he was in.

I am also a nursing student, single mom, who is unemployed, just wrap your brain arounf that... The point? It can work if you work it, so don't let circumstances necessarily be the excuse not to do it. Also, I warn parents who are already stressed or walking around frustrated, take it Slow, Lower your expectations, they're probably unrealistic anyway. Welcome a unschooling period to allow your child to decompress from the public school - especially if it was a bad experience. Spend your first couple of weeks talking, going on outings ( museums, gardens, exhibits, electronics or music stores, etc.). You'll probably find that your child has interests, knowledge, skills, passions, and desires that you were unaware of. Teaching your child using their interests to inspire motivation, and retention is an awesome experience.

You'll definitely learn that everything is a learning experience; when you are consciously learning you can get the most out of your experiences. Some obvious ones are grocery shopping and cooking (measurement, multiplication, add, sub., divide, budgeting, planning, time management, evaporation, diffusion, infusion, condensation, etc. etc.). A trip to the movies, might be less obvious...( supply, demand, marketing, rate & ratio, profit, technology), So after you visit the movies, plan a trip to the Museum of Finance (NY), then sign-up for Apple stores free iMovie mini-camp, visit the museums of motion pictures, etc ( trust me ther are many). Your child might cling to the art information, or the electronics, or the acting, or the cinematography, or the costume design, or you name it... Follow that i terst build on it, go on a library hunt for the most intersting, informative nooks on the subject. Use co-ops to give you a break. Do't shy away from tour weak subjects- just find a good resource and use it to learn together. Trust me your child will love you even more for it... Son't worry if you have differne t grade children, most lessons are across,the board. The practice work you may give, or the vocabulary you might expect could differ, but that causes no hiccup.

I think the thing that causes the greatest grief in homeschooling, is when parents become the teacher they left behind at the schholhouse. - it is such an unexpected pitfall ( at least it was for me). With help from other homeschoolers I realized it was an anxiety about failing at teaching my children that drove the behavior-kinda gave me sympathy for public school teachers.

The greatest learning has been what I've learned about my son's awesome character, train of thought, concerns, and loves. I am also greatful that he has been able to learn more about me as a person, outside of just Mommy - how great I really am; fearless, loyal, funny, weird, etc...

Great growing experience, which I know will be completely new and different for me and my daughter soon. I am excited!