| In the last 30 years or so, a quiet revolution has | | | | all, who understands a child's needs better than an |
| begun, and it's changing the way people look at | | | | attentive parent? |
| the compulsory nature of school forever. What | | | | Home schooling is perfect for Moms like me who |
| started out in the 60's as a radical choice made | | | | work from home. It gives flexibility and plenty of |
| mostly by parents concerned about the lack of | | | | time to spend with the amazing individual minds |
| religious teaching in public schools has evolved into | | | | that society calls my children. |
| something spectacular…something so | | | | Perhaps the child has been labeled ADHD and put |
| perfect that it seems intimidating. And it's available | | | | on medication. These narcotics subdue the active |
| to any family willing to make the change. | | | | child, effectively enabling him to sit still longer and |
| So often, when people find out that my kids do | | | | to 'pay attention' to what the teacher deems |
| not go to school, I get responses like " Oh, I could | | | | important…a necessary requirement in |
| NEVER do that. I'm not smart enough." or "I don't | | | | school. Home schooling, however, imposes no |
| think I could stand being with my kids all day | | | | such limitations. If your child needs to bounce, to |
| every day." and "You must be really disciplined." | | | | talk, to run or even to roll, these things can be |
| Truth is, I don't have a college degree, but I am | | | | allowed and even encouraged in a home schooling |
| absolutely 'smart enough' to be a home schooling | | | | environment. |
| parent, and I have every right to do so. I don't | | | | The negative and long lasting effects of the |
| necessarily consider myself a disciplined person, | | | | commonly prescribed drugs are now coming to |
| either, and that is just one of the multitude or | | | | light. Concerned parents are becoming more |
| reasons why home schooling is a perfect match | | | | skeptical of physicians quick fix diagnoses and the |
| for our family. | | | | schools insistence that such things are required to |
| There are many reasons why a family might | | | | keep the classroom 'functioning'....especially when it |
| choose home schooling over public or private | | | | involves their own children. |
| school. A child may have an illness or disability for | | | | Perhaps the child just doesn't excel in school, has |
| which public school cannot provide proper care. Of | | | | discipline problems or just plain 'hates' it. Why |
| course, public schools try hard to be politically | | | | make them do something they hate every day? |
| correct, and will do what they can to assist any | | | | Why not give them the joy that comes along |
| children with difficulties, but it's hard enough for | | | | with being free to learn on their own time and |
| one adult teacher to watch over and effectively | | | | focus on what interests them? |
| control a class of 25 'normally functioning' | | | | No matter what the reason a home schooling |
| students, much less having one or two kids | | | | parent gives for taking their child out of school, |
| thrown in who have very special medical and | | | | one thing is certain. Home schooling is growing in |
| physical needs. | | | | popularity to the point where almost everyone |
| I can think of no environment more nurturing, | | | | knows someone who is or was home schooled. It |
| more secure and loving, especially for a physically | | | | may be a quiet revolution, but it's voice is growing |
| ill or disabled child, than the comfort and familiarity | | | | louder year by year. |
| of their own home and attentive parents. After | | | | |