I have thought about this topic on more than one occasion.  Around me I see homeschooling in growth because of ongoing issues in public schools.  Flexibility in teaching, the horrible “build up” to testing, not meeting the needs of individual students (whether gifted with issues or learning disabilities), and the “lumping” of every student to try to fit them into the “average” mold.  All these factors I believe have lead to the growth in homeschooling.

Certainly,  the availability of faster internet, cheaper computers and unlimited resources have all factored into making homeschooling easier.  Every household can get to a computer or has at least one computer in their home.  Libraries are being equipped with computer “labs” for those that do not have the means to have a computer at home.

Although I am firm on why we started homeschooling, my thoughts about why we continue it change and grow.   I have come to realize that I enjoy my children being home with me.  I enjoy knowing that they are safe and that for now we can keep an eye on who they come in contact with.  Our issues as a home school family come up in little bursts rather then having them exposed to so many negative things at school. 

School is so much different than it was when I was a child and even though I really wanted them to  have the same experiences that I did, that is no longer possible.  Public school is so far behind in so many areas and the needs of individual children are being by-passed to accommodate different laws and quotas.

I have come to realize that my influence on them is important and that I had children for many reasons and the joy they bring me when we learn together is great.

I don’t understand a lot of why there is such a growth in homeschooling but know that with more families, comes larger support groups and a more acceptance of the choice to do so.