That's a good question, what is an "innocent kid" these days? To me an innocent kid doesn't swear, doesn't know a lot of street jargon/talk, and hardly knows anything about sex, other than the difference between male and female. I know this is a vague answer... what are everyone elses thoughts on "innocent kids"????

Homeschooling is just school at home. For the most part, kids receive as much (or more) social interaction. Plus, they have the benefit of moving through their subjects at their own pace. Homeschooling also keeps mom (and/or dad) closely involved in what the children are learning, and what they are struggling in. It affords opportunities that most people would never get: i.e. trips the the museum, projects involving opening their own business, learning to hybridize plants, trips to newspapers to learn how they are printed, trips to the radio and TV to learn how they work.

I know the schools do field trips, but the smaller groups and much larger teacher/child ratio makes it easier for the child to learn and experience.

I hate that homeschooling gets such a bad rep because of only a few. It would be the same as judging all mothers because of what a few crazies in the news had done.

My younger brother and sister were home schooled until 5th or 6th grade. It just got to be too much for my mom after that. Now they are both in public school and it's going okay. I think it's a personal family decision and kids need to be guided either way.

I think homeschooling or distant education would be good when the children are older, say, college days but only if they have also experienced college life for at least a year. Sending children to school is the most common way that children can be educated and there are many things that the school can do to teach the children rather than when they are at home and the best reason would be socializing. I believe that I don't only go for IQ but also for EQ as well.

Kelkat - I agree homeschooling often gets a bad rap because of a few sensationalized news stories.
It is a choice - a viable choice - and once people learn about it, they are usually not so negative. Of course its not for everyone.
Feline - one of the big reasons I homeschool is BECAUSE of socializing. I don't think 30 other 8 year olds and 1 adult are all that my children should be exposed to. Its unnatural, I feel, for people to stick solely with their own age group. Do adults do that?

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Besides which, homeschoolers probably do way more "socializing" than public school kids. There are bowling days, skate days, park days, play days, field trips, and oh so much more.

The best thing about homeschoolers for me is how there is community there. If one of us has a problem (sickness or such) the rest are there to help any way they can - including taking the kids. We are all involved in each others lives.

As far a what a school can teach that a child CAN'T learn at home, there is very little - if anything - of value that can't be taught outside a classroom setting. (maybe how to sit for eight hours doing nothing, but when are you going to get to use that again.)

It's actually kind of ironic. We complain that our children sit around too much and then make them sit around for 8 to 12 hours (depending on how long the bus ride is). No wonder kids today don't get enough exercise. Couple the sitting with 4 hours of homework and the kids are lucky to get a good nights sleep.

Sorry, now I'm rambling.