Once upon a time, homeschooling was a radical statement -- something like a declaration of independence. The conservative Christians advocated homeschooling in the '80s and had it legalized it in every state. But the typical homeschool of today is not religiously motivated.

Recent surveys indicate that most parents are actually quite fed up of public school systems where much of the learning is superficial and compulsory. They are also concerned about negative school environments, including drugs, abuse, and negative peer pressure. As a result, there is a surprising mix of people forming the homeschooling world today. They cut across all religious and regional boundaries. Their main aim is to provide meaningful and productive learning through methods that strengthen the bond between the various members of the family.

All of these families have one thing in common -- a long and enduring commitment to the sanctity of childhood. The needs of children in these families are accorded a primary position. Many believe, and rightly so, that homeschooling allows parents to bring children up in a more natural and nurturing environment. Public schools can make a child nervous, diffident, and downright mean. Children who get schooled at home are protected from these damaging negative influences until they reach the age where they able to handle it.

Homeschooling draws the whole family into the schooling process. Almost everyone is put to work. The parents form a bond with the children. Any experience at all can be turned into an educational opportunity. Both parents are aware of exactly what is going into their child's head. Parents also have a greater amount of control over the kind of religious and moral values that the child imbibes. Even watching a movie together can become a great learning experience. Trips to the local library and other places become educational as well as recreational.

The homeschooling family is usually dependent on the income of one earning member. That often means that spending has to be curtailed. Proper planning of expenditure is a must. This brings the family members together, and everybody gets involved in the process of saving money.

Having a parent at home to supervise, nurture, and care for the children, gives your children love and care. Even the spouse chips in -- there is just no room for boredom. Problems will crop up, and there may be a lot of misgivings in your mind, but when you know your kids can always count on you, and your kids know it too, homeschooling becomes a richly rewarding experience.