Even though formal education has been a part of society for a long time, homeschooling has also become popular amongst many parents. Even though the concept of homeschooling is not something new, it has gained attention especially during the pandemic time, where most of the education has shifted to online learning. Before deciding whether homeschooling is beneficial for your children or not, it is important to analyze both the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling. 

Benefits of Homeschooling

1. There is flexibility in the curriculum 

The foremost benefit of homeschooling is that it provides the parents with the flexibility to plan a curriculum for the children. With homeschooling, the students get the power to spend more time with a subject of their choice. Further, with no one else to compete, the children can spend time with a subject as much as they want to without feeling any pressure. For instance, if one is preparing for Government Jobs, the child gets the flexibility to complete the course at their own pace to pass the Sarkari Result with flying colours.  Also, the parents can introduce subjects that are generally not taught in the school. Further, there is flexibility in the teaching mode too. 

2. Focused attention 

The problem with schools is that there is just one teacher for a number of students. Hence, it becomes impossible to provide focused attention to one single individual. However, in homeschooling, the parents can direct all their attention to their students, or children. By providing more attention to the kid, it becomes possible to learn about the learning style of the kid. 

3. The child is saved from negative influences 

While doing formal schooling, a child faces violence, peer pressure, bullying and other problems, irrespective of their age. During homeschooling, it becomes possible to save the child from the negative influences and their involvement in it. 

4. Better bonding with the kid 

Homeschooling allows the parents and the children to bond better by sharing the joys and sorrows of everyday life. In addition to that, the parents can also enjoy each and every developmental stage of the kid too. 

5. It is easier to plan vacations

During formal education, the vacations are planned around summer and winter vacations. That is not the case with homeschooling. While homeschooling, the flexibility of the curriculum allows the parents and the kid to plan for vacation without worrying about the strict schedule. 

Disadvantages of Homeschooling 

1. It limits opportunities for the kids 

One of the biggest advantages of formal education is that it helps the kids to socialize. The biggest disadvantage of homeschooling is that it deprives the kids of socializing. However, this issue can be sorted during homeschooling by ensuring that regular events are organized for the children. 

2. Developing friendships can be tough for the children 

With no one to interact with their age group in the home, it becomes difficult for the children to develop close relationships with other kids around them. Developing friendship can be tough for such children and the matter needs to be delicately handled. 

3. It can give a sense of confinement to the kid 

Seeing other children go to school and spend a normal childhood and excess interaction only with the parents can give a sense of confinement to the kid. This sense of confinement may make the children rebellious and hold grudges against the parents. Therefore, it becomes of utmost importance that the kids are explained properly why they are being homeschooled and how they can benefit from it. 

4. It can be too much work for the parents 

Homeschooling a kid means that one of the parents will have to ensure that they are always there for the kid. For instance, the parent will be the one who will be giving the kid the homework and they will be the one who will have to ensure that the homework is done properly. Basically, one will have to give them full attention to the kid, day in and day out. 

Homeschooling has its own set of pros and cons and before deciding to homeschool a kid, it becomes important that the benefits outweigh the negative aspects of homeschooling. Only when one is entirely sure about homeschooling, the decision of it should be made.