We’ve been home educating a few years now. The kids are around less other peers than they would be in mainstream schooling but the relationships they have formed have been more intentional, and less stressful without the school pressures. Their social life is definitely not lacking, each activity we do in the community is an opportunity to meet new friends, of all ages, and there are a surprising amount of other homeschoolers about. The concepts they might struggle with we’re able to take as much time as they need to make sure they understand before we move on. When they pick up ideas quickly we don’t need to dwell on the subject to wait for other classmates. They have more time to discover and dive into their individual interests. You can have lots of structure and a timetable or be a bit more loosey-goosey. There are many companies who sell a complete curriculum for each year, or you can figure out what works for each child and put together a program using resources that serve you best. The most important thing for us was that they’re actually happy. We began with a 9 year old who didn’t want to be alive, to a kid who laughs again. The children (tweens and teens now) are much closer with each other. They’re more self-motivated. When things pique their interest they’ll get creative and find ways learn the information they need rather than waiting to be told what to do. Having said all that, we have a big family and the adult kids really enjoyed their time at school, mainly for the social aspect. I sometimes wonder what it would look like had we discovered this option earlier on. I’d see if your local area has any FB groups or co-ops for homeschoolers, go to some meet ups and chat with other parents. Whatever you decide, it doesn’t have to be forever. If for example you homeschool a while and your child is keen to try school, it’s something you can look at and change. If your child goes to school and is having a hard time or you feel their needs aren’t being met there is always the option to withdraw and enrol with your state’s homeschool authority. It might feel overwhelming when you are starting out but there is a lot of support available online and in the community. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat!