Finally, some recognition

There was an article in our local paper on Sunday about home schooling. It was well written and painted the growth of home schooling in a positive light. Something that I completely appreciate. Read the article

While I appreciate everyone's concern regarding my choice to home school my kiddos, I find it quite amusing that so many people pigeon hole us as one single group of "religious freaks". This is noted several times over in the comments of the article above. The idiotic comments were almost as fun to read as the article.

Is there a way ?

I want to not be a part of our school system any more. Each year, we are required to send them a letter from a teacher that says that my kids are doing well. It's a total crock. Half of the people I know don't test their kids or have their portfolios reviewed. They know people. Certified people who write their letters for them.

Does the school board actually even pay attention to us other than to use us for a number when they need money for the state? I don't think so. Is there a way to enroll my kids in a "private school" without actually paying for them to attend someplace so that they can stop having to play a circus act and pretend to be a part of a school system that we didn't like to begin with?

I have friends that have been home schooling from the beginning. They don't have to answer to anyone. Don't get included in the numbers. The county doesn't even know these kids exist. I want to be one of them.

Does anyone else have this issue? These feelings? Or am I just that bratty?

A sad day

I think it is only appropriate that I post about the tragedy in Northern Illinois today. I also think that it is only fair for me to also mention an incident that occurred in our taekwondo class last night as well. Both incidents are filled with violence. Something that I am sure keeps many parents up each night.

We are again a nation that is in mourning. What happened yesterday in Illinois can happen at any given moment in any given location. When my kids were in public school, it was the stuff that would haunt my dreams. I realize that this occurred at a college. Something that is still down the road for my crew however, the last time, it was at a high school, the time before that - a middle school, then another high school. What is happening to our kids?

Last night, in our TKD class, we had a girl who is in middle school. She was upset because as she put it she "was fixin to get jumped at school". What this meant to her, at some point during her Thursday, while she was supposed to be learning, she was getting notes passed to her that threatened to "gank her" and to "cut her up". She is in MIDDLE SCHOOL. 6th grade. The school was privy to the threats and has yet to intervene. How are kids supposed to learn in an environment like this?

At the beginning of our "school year" this year, I gave my kids an option. They could either continue on being home schooled, or they could go back to public school. All 3, without a moments hesitation, said they wanted to be home schooled. Thank God.

So many moments occur in my life that make me utter the words "thank god we home school". Thursday, I uttered those words more than once. I am thankful that I can give this choice to my kids. I am thankful that I have the ability to give my kids a safe and non threatening place to fill their brains. I am thankful that even though there are people who think that home schooling is somehow not a benefit, I still have the freedom to do what I think is right for my family. I am thankful that I home school. Especially today.