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