me too. (agree with Jackie) I also see it as attacking your decision to bolster theirs. I have homeschooled and public schooled and am making a decision to public school again based on what I think is best for my family. Is there some regret? oh yeah. Is there some selfishness. yup. I WANT to work. I could never have stayed home this long without homeschooling and I have learned a TON my second time around middle school. but...I am not at this point willing to make the sacrifice in my career and financially to keep the boys home. NOW...I am also not ruling out the possiblity that PS won't work (especially for Jazz) and we will have to figure out how to hs again. If we were in a situation that I felt was detrimental to the boys, I would certainly continue to hs. But the middle school is adequate for ds the younger, he is advanced and will do fine...and there is a decent charter school for Jazz that hopefully will fit the bill. What a great place that we can choose what is best for our families...so stay strong! (when asked the dreaded "socialization" question; my response is "name one positive thing that happened to you, socially, in middle school." for most of us...the answer is silence.
That is absolutely brilliant. I love that it really isn't confrontational in a mean spirited way but is definitely challenging. It puts the ball in their court and makes them think. Love it.
I recommend reading from an old book called Our Home or The Key to a Nobler Life. It is available free here: http://books.google.com/books?id=BS...e&ei=Ei1XStqxIYPYzQSwxNQK#v=onepage&q&f=false Here are a few quotes from it that I loved. This first one I find especially applicable:
Hi Jenny, I've just become a member, and am not one to jump into "commenting" right away, but when I read your post my heart really went out to you. My family has been homeschooling for 13 years, and, yes, I do understand the loneliness that is part of the journey at times. Those are the times that I have walked by faith in the decision we have felt called to, and in the one who has called us. I do agree mostly that your friends are probably feeling some insecurity about their choices. I've had those kind of friends too, and through the years many of them have obviously changed their views and no longer say such judgemental comments....others have quieted down as their children have "managed" through a difficult system. Some of the friendships have gone by the wayside, but most have remained and are stronger. I also have 2 sisters that teach in the public system, and one, for many years has reminded me often that my children are receiving a superior education in so many ways....and so are yours! This spring our oldest will be graduating, and has been admitted to his first choice college with generous financial aid. He didn't have amazing SAT; ACT scores, but he received a great education based on a world view that we live by. So despite the times of loneliness, insecurity, and even angst, the Lord has been faithful to encourage and strengthen us, and continually give us the wisdom that we seem to "continually" need. I know it may seem a little "cheezy" but I really am inspired by the Robert Frost poem, and I hope it offers a smile to you too. "Two roads diverged by a wood and I- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." Blessings!
