All in all, I feel like those parents who do not make sure that there children do not mingle with non-homeschooled children do their children a disfavor. Homeschooler dynamics can be extremely different than “normal school” dynamics, and I know that my homeschool friends who only have homeschool friends do often fit that typical homeschooler mold.

All of my homeschooled students have been bright, but every single one of them had difficulty fitting into the classroom setting. They are awkward and stand out quite a bit. There were several times when the students who had been in a homeschool environment would hang around after class and seemed to be seeking that one-on-one attention. I know a couple of people who do homeschool their children; however, they balance the in-home instruction with social time for their children with other homeschool families. This may help, although I do not have any studies or anything like that.

The book sounds interesting, and although this would not be a typical read for me, I may have to pick it up.

I have homeschooled from the very beginning. My daughter just completed 7th grade – so that makes for 8 years of homeschooling behind us. So far, I think it’s been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made – but it is not an easy lifestyle to take on. And I mean “lifestyle” – this isn’t just something you do on a whim, or “fit in” to your day. Our days revolve around school, and even during summer break, I spend many hours putting together curriculum orders and writing up lesson plans for the next year, revisiting the programs we use if something isn’t working, etc.

I have four kids – and they span the spectrum when it comes to academic skills. When they were all in the first few grades, they scored significantly higher than their public-schooled peers, but have come more to normal as the grades get higher and work gets harder. I still have one who consistently scores in the 90th percentile in all subjects, while I have one who is just about average in everything, but really struggles to get to just average in math. I think a lot of homeschoolers feel like all of their kids have to be exceptionally bright to justify their decision, but their kids are just normal kids – some are gifted, some are average, some will struggle.

Sorry – I didn’t mean to write some sort of manifesto here! I liked your review – this was a book I enjoyed, too.

Thank you!
~ Amy

It seems to me that homeschooling is on the rise (or maybe I just have friends with kids the right age). Given the current school situation, I’d consider it. Or at least some sort of supplemental homeschooling.

I’ve seen this book making it’s way around the blogs. I might have to check it out.