Geoffrey Botkin, a renowned advocate for homeschooling, argues in Raising Children For Future that the process is not merely a lifestyle choice, but a treacherous battleground where parents are vying for the hearts of their children. A former Marxist, Botkin has since returned to his Christian faith and rejects both the fundamentalist Christianity and Marxist visions of changing societies through the family.
Parents can create a positive screen-free environment by building positive screen experiences into their child’s life. Parents can cheer their children on as they excel in sports, arts, and academics. Parents can even involve themselves in a religious institution as a family, and share the values that their faith has taught them. By creating an environment where parents can encourage each other to embrace values, children will become more inclined to develop the skills and attitudes that they need to succeed.
Parents should emphasize the importance of respecting the feelings of their children. While worries and fears are related, fear is more likely to occur in the present than in the future. For example, a child might be afraid of dogs, but they worry about visiting a friend who has a pet dog. Parents should acknowledge their child’s anxiety, but avoid pushing them to do things they’re afraid of. In fact, the opposite may be true.