We started homeschooling our children about a year ago. Our decision to do this was something we had thought about for some time. Actually my husband had stated when we were dating that he wanted our children to be home schooled and that was nearly 15 years ago. His reason's were because of how the schools were then and what we new was going on during that time.

So when we had our first child I had every intention of homeschooling her. Who new at the time that when she was 2 I would become pregnant with twins. I was worried sick that there was not going to be any way that I was going to be able to handle it.

When she was 4 we did begin to preschool her. At first it seemed like it was going ok, and she loved it! It wasn't long though before chasing around two 1 year olds brought me down.

The following year I did enroll her in a year round school in our area. I must say I beat myself up incredibly for doing so. Everything was great with the school for her kindergarten year. She had so much fun and made many new friends.

The following year we had to move though and we had to enroll her into a public school. This is when our worries really began. Things I had heard about with public school really started to show. She began to be picked on, belonging in certain groups, the large amounts of homework for first graders, the list goes on and on.

We sucked it up.

We then had to move again so for second grade she was moved to another public school. This school seemed to be much better, on the surface. Second grade did go by without many problems though.

Then third grade came. This year we also had to enroll our twins. So we had 3 children in 3 different classrooms at this time.

Third grade is the year that, in our area, the end of year testing begins. From the first day of school we heard about your child needs to learn this and that in order to pass the EOG's. I bought it. Ok she needs to pass or she will be held back. She would bring home her report cards and she was always on A, B honor roll. I thought she was doing great! Then at the teachers conferences they would mention she needs to do better with this or try a bit harder with that. If her grades are so high what are the problems? I didn't get it.

Now with a kindergartners it was an whole other ballpark. We now had two students in the same grade with different teachers. They both did the same work in each class and brought home the same homework. I thought it was nice because I could help them with their work at the same time. I quickly realized they both learned very differently though. I don't know exactly how to describe it it is just different.Explaining something one way to one child didn't necessarily work for the other one.

I would frequently get notes sent home from either teacher about behaviour issues or one of them not paying attention in class. Not a big deal right, they are 5, its normal. Well apparently one of the teachers didn't think so. She was very old school about her approach. I could tell that from the beginning. She left very subtle hints that I needed to check out my daughter for ADHD. We chose to wait it out. My other daughter though, her teacher was brand new, very laid back and told me that my daughter would grow out of it. hmmm who is right here??

I did have them tested just to be sure, neither have ADD or ADHD. We made it through kindergarten with a few worries about how first grade was going to be like for them.

Fourth grade for my oldest daughter came around. The beginning of the school year my oldest daughter's teachers called me about meeting with me to discuss putting her into Advance classes. I thought this was great! My little girl is a genius! My daughter wasn't so impressed though. I however let them talk me into putting her into those classes. She didn't complain much and her grades were great so I thought all was going well.

This year bullying, boys, clicks, and picking became issues. She always had stories of other kids and what they did or said, or what happened to her. She was also an early bloomer so that became and issue too. And oh my what 4th graders talk about!

School itself became a bit more aggravating as well. The push for the EOG's and some writing test became a major push from the get go.

The twins seemed to start off ok in first grade as well. The behaviour issues seemed to calm down and grades were pretty good. At least at the beginning.

That year I had a surprise pregnancy that had me on bed rest from the beginning. I was always sick, hurting and medicated. I must admit I was not able to take the time after school that I did with them the previous years. My husband worked third shift as well.

I mention this because it was during this time with the minimal help that we began to really realize how much WE did in teaching our kids. Our oldest was being pushed to learn beyond her comfort, not her ability but her comfort level. Our twins were being forced into a universal learning style when each of them learned very differently. They all were being sent home with a ton of school work that during the winter months by the time they were done they couldn't play outside. Some would say this didn't matter but when do the kids get to be kids?

So after my son was born(yeah finally a boy!) we had more time to look back and re evaluate the situation. The time we were putting in after school, the lack of one on one teaching, the different learning styles and the level of learning were all concerns of ours.

I was already a work from home mom. I already new my children. I know basic elementary studies. So I started doing a bit of researching about home schooling. There is no lack of home schooling information online. There is also no lack of free home schooling information online.

Before school was even out that year we decided to home school. I must say we have only been home schooling for a few months and it has not been easy. I do feel it has been the best decision we have made. My children love it and didn't even protest doing it. Of course the twins thought it was going to be all fun and games. They learned otherwise though ;)

The time we put in each day isn't much different from the time we spent on homework. We have a lot of fun and I really get to know my children even more and how they think. I get to study with them things they can't study at school, such as Bible study and growing our own food. So many things different and they seem to be sucking it all in like sponges now. So worth it.

If you feel that you are experiencing the same issues with your school and children. Please do check into home schooling. There are sacrifices and adjustments but it is so worthwhile to see they changes in you children's education.