Golly JDAx3, I think that a large percentage of homeschooler homeschool for that very reason. I'm interested to see how much of an issue it is for folks here, as so many of us are in such a scramble for the 'least worst' option that we never know what's coming next!
I know that some kids need to be with much older kids to get a shot at learning in a school environment, and that the older kids are not a good social match for some kids, value-wise and interest-wise, and that sometimes parents feel that they have to sacrafice innocence for academics, or vice versa.
Personally I believe that there are lots of 'good enough' combinations for most kids.
I've never homeschooled, but I think it's great for kids socially, academically, and a great way for families to pass on their true values. Plus it sounds like fun!
I expected to hate my son's Middle School years, but they were so much better than the elementary years that I just loved them (mostly) What I love about Middle School is that the teachers usually specialise in their subjects and can share that excitement, and that the students are (finally) being encouraged to think abstractly! Socially it was a larger group at the public school, and DS found some really good and interesting kids to hang out with.
Smiles,
Grinity
