Why Do We Home School?

This is a question our friends, and our new acquaintances are interested in asking as soon as they found that we homeschool. Some of our friends are polite but point out that we live in Montgomery County, one of best public school district in the state of Maryland. It might even be one of the best public school system in the whole United States, according to various statistics and Newsweek or some national new magazine articles, that is, if you believe what you read there. Many families from surrounding jurisdiction would love to have their children to be just in Montgomery school system. It represents a huge time commitment and financial investment. Not only we are being taxed at a high rate to pay for this high performing school system that we don't use, and our cost is not reimbursed. The expense is not even tax deductible. There is certainly no financial incentive for us to do it.

So, why on earth do we CHOOSE to homeschool?

Yes, homeschooling is a choice for us. Debbie and I made the choice after much discussion, soul searching and, yes, prayer. Our children, especially Jonathan and Timothy, who were 11 and 9 when we started homeschooling in 2003, were involved in the discussion, and decision process. Like most major decisions that have such an impact on our lives, there are many reasons. As we have a few years of homeschooling under our belt, our reasons change and become more mature. All three of our children have their own idea of what it is like to be in public school, and what it is like to homeschool. They most likely have their reasons, likes and dislikes about each options. I thought it would be a great idea to start to write some of these thought down on this blog, and share it with our friends and family members.

I thought I'll start with my posts. I know Debbie has been working on writing some of her thoughts down. And Jonathan, Timothy and Xander will write down their experience and thoughts.

That sounds like a plan. Now only if I have a way to have everyone do as I say ;-)