If a survey by the National Center For Education Statistics is to be believed, roughly 1.1 million children took home schooling in 2005 alone. That is a lot of children. Not so long ago, homeschooling used to be an extreme statement - something like a declaration of independence.

It was the (right-wing conservative Christians who pushed for homeschooling in the 1980’s and legalized it in every State. But the average homeschooler of today is not religiously motivated.

Later surveys show that parents are actually fed up with the public school system where much of the learning is superficial and compulsory. They are also concerned about the negative environment in school, 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 creeds and all 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 main 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, I think, rightly so, that home schooling allows parents to bring up their children in a more natural and nurturing environment.

Public schools can make a child nervous, diffident and downright mean. Children who get their education at home are protected from these damaging, negative influences until they reach an age where they can withstand them.

Home-schooling draws the whole family into the quasi religious task of teaching. Everyone has a role to play. The parents together form a bond with the children. Any experience can be turned into an learning experience. Both the parents are aware of exactly what is going into their child’s head.

Parents also have a greater control over the type of religious and moral values that the child is learning. Even watching a film together can become a learning experience. Visits to the libraries, zoos, museums and other places become educational as well as recreational.

A home-schooling family is usually dependent on the income of one earning member. That means that quite often outgoings have to be curtailed and proper planning of expenditure is necessary. This helps to bring the family members together and everybody gets involved in the task of not spending money.

Merely having a parent at home to look after, to nurture and to care for the children brings with it a great deal of love and caring. Even the husband chips in and there is just no room for boredom.

Yes, problems still do crop up, and there will be many 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 very rewarding experience.

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