Why consider homeschooling?

If you're like me, you may be concerned about raising your child in a moral environment with Christian values . As Christians, we think about sending our child to public (or even private school) and being exposed to kids that are not raised with the same morals and discipline. In recent years, society has become so lenient and sloppy that it is disgusting. Even in private school, not everyone is raised the same way at home. The education they receive is more conservative than that of a public school, but the social circles that children engage in can be tricky, and you may be surprised at what your child picks up even at a Christian school - let alone a public school.

Now, let me stop here for a moment. You may be thinking, "So you're going to put your child in a bubble?", "Sheltering your kid can create rebellion later down the road," "How do you intend to socialize your children?" All of these are legitimate questions and concerns, and I hope to put your mind at ease throughout this article.

First and foremost, homeschooling does not have to be just mom and child at home learning from a study course, day in and day out for 12 years (but it can be if that's what you really want). If a mother (or father) is able to stay home with his or her children, this can be one of the most rewarding opportunities for bonding in a family. But there are a variety of different settings to choose from for homeschooling. It offers the flexibility for spontaneous field trips, one-on-one attention, hands-on learning, and participating in co-op programs with other homeschool families for extra exposure and experience.

Families that homeschool do so for various different reasons. Most parents (85 percent according to the NCES) say they choose this option for their children's safety against drugs, peer pressure, sexual immorality, and physical harm from other students; in other words the condition of the environment at school. Religious instruction is the next most common reason at 72 percent. Others (68 percent) report that they feel they can have better control over the curriculum and what and how their children are learning. In 2003, there were approximately 1.1 students being homescooled. That number was up from 850,000 in 1999 (NCES). This shows that homeschooling is growing again in popularity.

My conviction would be all of the above. I am a big fan of the co-op setting for homeschooling. The co-op is a way for children to play with other children, participate in games and sports or music ensembles, learn from other teachers, and learn from other children as well. It's an opportunity for social growth and exposure without the concern of negative societal influence. Most towns have several groups that offer co-op opportunities.

There are also hundreds of different types of curriculum to choose from. This gives the parent a way to choose the level of education, the type of education, as well as just have many different choices instead of being stuck with just one or two. Some states do require certain qualifications for homeschooling, but these are not hard to meet. Another reason I am a fan of the co-op is because other parents may be stronger in certain subjects and can teach it better than you can, even with the help of the study guide. I personally hate math. I would rather shoot myself in the foot than have to crack another math book. I'll do it for my child, but I look forward to another mother or father teaching her this subject so much better than I ever could!

There are also state laws in place to help parents understand requirements for keeping their child in compliance with the school system. Accurate record keeping, proper attendance, and approved curriculum are outlined in the laws to ensure proper education completion.

I attend a church in which most of the families there do homeschool. The children at our church are so intellectually mature and spiritually solid that it confirms my conviction to homeschool. These kids have a beautiful bond with their parents and a strong foundation of faith that they receive at home. Now, I understand that there is no way to keep your child from being exposed to society and that is by far not my intention at all. The foundations that children receive at home help them better understand society and ways to resist, cope, and positively interact without falling prey to peer pressure and other negative influences. Lessons learned through daily connection with parents and other children being taught the same morals allows them to make better judgments when exposed to difficult situations.

If you are considering homeschooling, here are some resources to help you explore your options and see if it is something that suits your family:

Christian Homeschooling - Taking care of making the right decision

http://www.letshomeschool.com/index.html

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/homeschool/

http://www.sonlight.com/