Changes

* A more flexible daily schedule, and ability to take vacations and travel during the school year.

* A more flexible daily schedule, and ability to take vacations and travel during the school year.

* Avoiding conflicts with [[public school]] officials.

* Avoiding conflicts with [[public school]] officials.

* More time spent by parents with their children in formative years.

* More time spent by parents with their children in formative years.

* Avoiding violence, intimidation, invasions of privacy (e.g., searches) and other hostile aspects of the [[public school culture]].<ref>As an example of the violent culture at [[public school]], "parents said there have been violent incidents, mostly fistfights, at the high school every day this week. 'My daughter is terrified,' said Elizabeth Sabalu, whose daughter is a junior. 'She doesn't want to come to school any more.'" [http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/877459,CST-NWS-skul04.article]</ref><ref>"Nationally, about 160,000 [[student]]s miss [[Public schools|school]] daily because they [[fear]] being [[Bully|bullied]]," and in [[Hawaii]] students viciously fight each other and post videos of it on [[YouTube|Youtube.com]]. One victim is now "being [[homeschooled]] at state expense."[http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/18/news/story01.html]</ref>

* Avoiding violence, intimidation, invasions of privacy (e.g., searches) and other hostile aspects of the [[public school culture]].<ref>As an example of the violent culture at [[public school]], "parents said there have been violent incidents, mostly fistfights, at the high school every day this week. 'My daughter is terrified,' said Elizabeth Sabalu, whose daughter is a junior. 'She doesn't want to come to school any more.'" [http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/877459,CST-NWS-skul04.article]</ref><ref>"Nationally, about 160,000 [[student]]s miss [[Public schools|school]] daily because they [[fear]] being [[Bully|bullied]]," and in [[Hawaii]] students viciously fight each other and post videos of it on [[YouTube|Youtube.com]]. One victim is now "being [[homeschooled]] at state expense."[http://starbulletin.com/2008/05/18/news/story01.html]</ref>

* Creating an environment in which students are less likely to pick up life-long unhealthy addictions from peers, like drugs, cigarettes, sex, or alcohol.

* Creating an environment in which students are less likely to pick up life-long unhealthy addictions from peers, like drugs, cigarettes, sex, or alcohol.

* Having the time and availability to learn a trade or profession as an apprentice, as has been done throughout history.

* Having the time and availability to learn a trade or profession as an apprentice, as has been done throughout history.

* Homeschooling is often an essential approach to achieve the very best in music or certain sports.<ref>For example, Jordin Sparks (b. 1989) became youngest winner of the music talent competition "American Idol" after she left [[public school]] for homeschooling to concentrate on her singing.[http://www.pr-inside.com/singer-jordin-sparks-12-400-video-newest-r592857.htm]</ref>

* Homeschooling is often an essential approach to achieve the very best in many fields, from [[mathematics]] to music to certain sports.<ref>For example, Jordin Sparks (b. 1989) became youngest winner of the music talent competition "American Idol" after she left [[public school]] for homeschooling to concentrate on her singing.[http://www.pr-inside.com/singer-jordin-sparks-12-400-video-newest-r592857.htm]</ref>

 

Homeschooling, like being self-employed, requires more self-discipline and greater initiative.  Many parents understandably give up or burn out after homeschooling for years, just as many people who try to be self-employed do also.  Without a rigid schedule and structure to the day, there are constant distractions and excuses to making the same effort that one makes when told to do something.  Initiative is required for homeschooled teenagers to meet other homeschooled teenagers, for example, and many return to [[public school]] in the absence of that effort.

Homeschooling, like being self-employed, requires more self-discipline and greater initiative.  Many parents understandably give up or burn out after homeschooling for years, just as many people who try to be self-employed do also.  Without a rigid schedule and structure to the day, there are constant distractions and excuses to making the same effort that one makes when told to do something.  Initiative is required for homeschooled teenagers to meet other homeschooled teenagers, for example, and many return to [[public school]] in the absence of that effort.