Homeschooling an Only Child?

Heck why would your husband WANT your child to go to public school? Esp if you want to stay home. I have an only child - he's almost 4. We plan to home school. I don't see why your husband wouldn't want to h-s him .... for socialization? The coop and grocery store and other life experiences (church?) will give him plenty. I say go for it. Would your husband rather your child get NO one-on-one attention and just get thrown into a classroom with 20 other kids at varying levels? Nah.

added: I don't know what the only child myth is ..... sorry I'm clueless!

We homeschool and I have an only child. We have always done activities outside of the home (karate, swimming, art, music, etc...) and we do a home co-op twice a week. My son is 9 1/2 and is also now in Select Baseball and that keeps us quite busy, as well.
R.

I do not homeschool an only child (I will soon have 6 children who will be homeschooled) but I did want to say that if you feel led to homeschool don't let others opinions discourage you. Find co-ops and other groups like boy or girl scouts, 4-H, rec league sports, ect. There is plenty of social opportunities out there for homeschooled children, you just have to find them.

I homeschooled 4 kids so can't give advice about an only. But I loved it when we belonged to a homeschool group that did coop classes, meetings, playdates and field trips. It was simply wonderful and I cherish the time I had with my kids and all the other families. Has your husband visited any of the homeschool meetings or activities? It might be a good opportunity for him to talk to other dads and see the many ways that homeschoolers teach and make things work.

my younger spent a lot of time as the only homeschooler when his older brother started college. it's not only possible, it's awesome to HS an only. it just requires a commitment to spending a lot of time going forth to have adventures. and oh, how i miss those magic hours in the car now! we had the BEST talks!
my husband was pretty sketchy about the entire homeschool thing at the beginning. now he's a total advocate. i hope yours comes around.
khairete
S.

We homeschooled my son in the fourth grade through the county office of education and had a blast going on all the field trips. He had the option of attending classes with other homeschoolers twice a week. I wouldnt trade those field trip memories for anything! Most of the trips were my son and I, but my husband managed to come on the two big ones with minimal time off work. It was a fantastic bonding experience. You wont regret it!!

It's "backwards".

Awayschool kids get all their socializing done during the day.
Homeschooled onlies get their socializing done during the afternoon/evening.

By and large, anyhow. There are park days, homeschool friends, etc... but it's really "backwards". Still tons of time with other kids, but it has to be sought out... as opposed to awayschool families who have to seek out family time.

If you can raise a normal/ heathy/ socially adept toddler... trust me... the skills don't just vanish when they turn 5.

It's the same stuff.

Not living under a rock.

It's really not that hard.

Most of my son's friends are awayschoolers. He's met them through sports, clubs, classes, school break camps. They get on, we hook up for a playdate. They keep getting on, we see them more regularly.

I don't home school but my friends who do have lots of activities their kids are involved with. See what is going on in your community.