Homeschooling and the family

 Homeschooling and the family

According to the National Center For Education Statistics, almost 

1.1 million children underwent homeschooling in 2005 alone. That's 

a lot of children. Once upon a time, homeschooling used to be a 

radical statement - something like a declaration of independence. 

It was the conservative Christians who advocated homeschooling in 

the '80s and legalized it in every State. But the typical 

homeschooler of the day is not religiously motivated.

Recent surveys indicate that parents are actually quite fed up of 

the public school systems where much of the learning is 

superficial and compulsory. They are also concerned about negative 

school environment ranging from drugs and abuse to negative peer 

pressure. As a result, we have a surprising mix of people who form 

the homeschooling world of today. They cut across all religious 

and regional borders. Their main aim is providing meaningful and 

productive learning through a method that strengthens the bond 

between the various members of the family.

All these families have one thing in common - a long enduring 

commitment to the sanctity of childhood. The children in these 

families are accorded a primary position. Many believe, and 

rightly so, that homeschooling allows parents to bring up children 

in a more natural and nurturing environment. Public schools can 

make one nervous, diffident and downright mean. Children who get 

schooled at home are protected from these damaging negative 

influences till they reach an age where they can handle it.

Homeschooling draws the whole family into the almost religious 

task of schooling. Everyone is put to work. The parents together 

form a bond with the children. Any experience can be turned into 

an educational experience. Both the parents are aware of exactly 

what is going into their child's head. Parents also have greater 

control on the kind of religious and moral values that the child 

imbibes. Even watching a movie together can become a learning 

experience. Trips to the libraries and other places become 

educational as well as recreational. 

A homeschooling family is primarily dependent on the income of one 

earning member. That means that often spending has to be curtailed 

and proper planning of expenditure is a must. This helps to bring 

the family members together and everybody gets involved in the 

process of saving money. 

Having a parent at home to supervise, to nurture and care for the 

children brings with it a lot of love and caring. Even your 

husband chips in and there just is no room for boredom. Yes, 

problems do crop up, and there are a lot of misgivings in your 

mind. But when you know that your kids can always count on you, 

and your kids know it too, then homeschooling becomes a richly 

rewarding experience.