http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/   is hosting, Homeschooling Week on her blog and is encouraging people to answer the question of the day. Todays question is...."What led to your decision to homeschool?"

Here is my answer:

My dh and I always thought our children would go to school, after all isn't that what "normal" kids did when they turned 5?  When my oldest child was 4, we sent him to pre-school and though he was the "best behaved boy in the class" at school at home he was turning into an unmannered and very self centered little boy. He would jump off the bus and prompty shove his 3 year old sister, who waited with anticipation for his homecoming. He started to see his teacher as all knowing and his parents as people who just didn't get it.

As the year went on the Lord had brought some homeschoolers into our lives. They were not strange people at all and their children did not hang on their mommas skirts, for fear of talking to anyone. No, these children were smart, happy, healthy, and despite popular opinion well socialized kids. I started to pray about it and then as the end of the school year drew closer, I asked my hubby if he would consider homeschooling and to my surprise he said yes!!  We immediatly pulled our son out of pre-school, after all he wouldn't need to go and visit the big school any more.

We talked to our son and he, being only 5, was perfectly fine with being at home with mom and his siblings. :0) Then, I talked to well meaning family members and friends and though for the most part people were gracious, it was a "wait and see" type of attitude. My family seemed worried about my sons social skills and my friends seemed to worry about what I would think of them if they did not homeschool. In the end all worked out well. My son that I spoke of, is entering his senior year as a homeschooler and will graduate from our humble homeschool next June. He is planning on attending college and is currently looking into several. Family members fears have been put aside, and now they comment on how they wish they could or did homeschool. My friends know that I love them, no matter what they decide for their childs education. Our friendships never have been and never will be cotingent upon them being just like me.

 After saying all that, I want to clarify that it was and is the Lord who called this family to homeschool. He has been with us every step of the way and without Him I know our "school" would of folded. The Bible says that  "In Him, I can do all things...." and He has proven His faithfulness again and again. PTL!! :0)