I notice some of you homeschool your kids, and we see TV programs depicting people who homeschool their kids (US version of Wifeswap for example).

I don't understand. Why would you wanna do that? And how do you do it? My parents couldn't help me with my homework, let alone teach me a full curriculum.

Here's what I'd be concerned about:

1) You can't teach what you don't know or understand, so if you weren't good in school then how can you teach someone else stuff that you don't know/understand yourself? Isn't that limiting your child's education to the extent of your own intelligence/teaching ability/knowledge?

2) What about all the other stuff kids learn in school - social skills, bonding, groups etc.? What about exposure to people of different races, outlooks or social classes as part of the natural process of growing up? How do they meet other kids or make friends if they're stuck in the house all the time?

3) What about education that requires facilities, such as sports, science, art, music, languages, cooking etc?

I know of many families where the kids got higher qualifications than their parents (I come from one myself, plus my cousins etc. nearly all have degrees whilst their parents don't). How can you get higher qualifications than your parents if they're teaching you?

Maybe I misunderstand the system, but I don't understand this at all. The only benefit I can think of is if you're child is being bullied and you want to protect them from that. However, that over-protection will not stand them in good stead in the future.

Can someone explain this to me?

Jane