The Choice Channel

That’s right, every child should be homeschooled. Now, before you start writing that e-mail that tells me how some parents are not fit to school their own offspring; or, how parents are too busy in this modern age to educate their own children properly, hear me out. While it is true that most things are best left to the professionals, some things are just too important to be left to anyone but yourself, particularly if you are a parent. Teaching your precious children to read and write or to add and subtract or to understand the implications of history upon mankind are one thing. I have no problem with parents that choose to have professional teachers educate their children. I believe parents should enjoy as many choices as possible, including homeschooling, when it comes to the expansion of their children’s minds. However, the kind of homeschooling I refer to here has little to do with academics and everything to do with building character, developing personality and simple love.

Personally, I think it would be wonderful if all parents could completely homeschool their children, at least in the basics such as spelling, reading, simple math, local and regional history, etc. But I know it is not always possible and that is why I have always been, and will continue to be, a strong advocate for parent’s choice when it comes to education. Parents should certainly not feel compelled to turn to government bureaucrats for such an important job as educating young minds, especially when it has already been proven that the bureaucrats do such a poor job. Parents should feel free to explore all avenues of education, from homeschooling to private institutions. But still, some things are just too important to be handled by anyone but a parent, and those things need to be taught and learned at home.

Every child should be homeschooled when it comes to learning how to be a good human being. Good character and strong personality are the most important developments your child will ever encounter. I believe, and many experts agree, that they both begin at birth. These are not lessons that should be entrusted to anyone but a parent; and, they certainly should not be left up to government learning factories. We need to reject the idea of “social engineering” being practiced by over-zealous politicians that seek to rule for generations to come. Let’s face it, rulers do not teach others to rule; but rather, rulers only teach others how to be ruled. I have learned the hard way that government schools are not the best places for children to develop good character.

It is wrong to expect that any government agency will teach a child to be a good human being. Some will, but far too many will fail. Governments have shifting agendas that change priorities according to the whims of those in charge. So, government schools teach whatever they are told to teach by the ruling party or parties. Parents all too often have very little power over public school curriculums. That is why it is just too important to make character-building part of public education. Parents must homeschool their children according to their own values and beliefs, if they really want their children to reflect those values and beliefs. You cannot be sure that your values and beliefs are the same as those that have been entrusted with educating your precious little ones when the government controls the system. If you do not agree with the government on one point or another or several, you are screwed. Your children will only be taught what the beast Bureaucracy allows them to learn. For this reason alone, when it comes to character and personality, every child should be homeschooled.

David Crosby once wrote: “Children are flowers, love is water.” I believe what he was saying is, in order for children to grow up properly love is essential. Nothing could be truer. And, what greater love can be found than that of a mother as she holds her newborn baby for the first time? What deeper love is there than that of a proud father as he observes mother and child together for the very first time? Will your child ever find a parent’s love in a public school? Can such deep and abiding affection as that of a loving parent for a precious child be found in any school of any kind? Of course not. That is why social engineering through the public school systems will not work. The deep bond that can only be found in love of family does not exist in the cold, analytical world of studies, facts and figures. Only a loving parent can produce a kind and caring human being.

Parents, make time for your children and ensure that the values they acquire are the ones you think they should have. Do not relinquish this sacred responsibility to anyone for any reason. Teach your offspring the difference between right and wrong. Show your children how problems can be solved just as easily, if not easier, with reason and logic as they can with fists and fury. Teach them the lessons of the beauty of self-reliance and the joy of making it on one’s own. None of these things should be left to government bureaucrats to teach our children. Look at the list. Do you really want politicians deciding how to teach your child what is right and what is wrong? Can you really trust them to teach your children to be self-reliant? Can you afford to take such a risk when the future of your precious offspring is at stake? No, I say! When it comes down to character and personality, every child should be, needs to be, homeschooled with love.

“Children are flowers, love is water.”
- David Crosby