Why all kids are "home schooled," for better or for worse

     Having two small children, I've seen some debate on whether home schooling is the right thing to do for your child. This is definitely a subject that I don't think there's a Yes or No answer to. There are valid arguments for both sides, but in the end I think it comes down to the teacher--i.e. the parent. If the parent is engaged, dedicated, enthusiastic and completely qualified, then I think home schooling is a great option. I know there are concerns about how the child will progress socially, but there is a growing network of home schoolers that make sure their kids get plenty of interaction with other kids. There seems to be an emerging "hybrid" model that attempts to give the kids the best of both worlds.

     My children won't be home schooled, at least not in the traditional sense; but don't all children get most of their real life education at home? When it comes to the impact that a child's upbringing and values have on their adult life--aren't we all "home schooled" to a significant degree, for better or for worse? What kids learn in school, while valuable and essential, will never have more bearing on their lives than what they learn, witness, and model at home. As parents, we are all teachers, and whenever your kids are in your presence they are being "schooled." As adults we begin to exhibit many of the same characteristics that our parents did--not the characteristics of our 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Applebottom. This is why I think the home school debate completely depends on the individual situation.


     Whether your child is home schooled or not, they will learn much more than academics just by watching you. As parents, we should all put on the teaching cap when it comes to our kids. We are constantly teaching them anyway, whether we are aware of it or not. Providing a healthy model for your kids to follow is the best education they can get, and even if they go to public or private school, the most important teacher of their lives will always be you.