My BIL just wrote a 1,500 word letter to the Supt. after he'd received a letter asking him the same question (their district is pushing people for dual-enrollment so they can receive more funding).  I hope to be able to publish it soon.

Many are the reasons but chiefly - it is my duty.

The short answer:  I felt too old by the time Ditz was ready for school to do the tango with schools that gave lip service to giftedness but never followed through.  Ditz was reading by the end of her pre~school year so I knew I had a *behavioural problem* in the making.  The longer answer; I finally got Dearest on my page. ?  The really long answer: I always wanted to do this.  I got my inch & took my mile!  And yes, we're going all the way to yr12.

This is my eighteenth year. Right from when we got married and my husband expressed a wish that we homeschool any future children, I was into it. Several of my sisters and families had taught their children in the bush on Distance Ed so I was not terrified of it. We very much wanted to be able to teach our children in the Lord's ways. It was never an academic choice for us. We do however, support our friends who have made other choices and do not take the view that home schooling is the only option for christians.

My girls finished in Yr 12 and 10 and both did TAFE courses then. I had always thought that perhaps the boys would one day go to school as I had seen a few bad examples of boys completely squashed in adolescence under the domineering rule of mum. Providence has led us a different way since my fellows have reached high school and cannot read well. I do not feel that school would do them one bit of good, but I try to keep in mind that they are young men who will one day be in the workforce and Lord willing head their own homes and not squash their natural leadership and adventure traits.

My homeschooled daughters do not have any inclination to teach their own children. They do appreciate the time, effort, love and sacrifice which they recognize we have made though and turned out all right, Sadly for me, my chief and highest motivation for homeschooling, to raise children who walk, no run, after the Lord has not been reached, but God's timing is perfect.

Just out of curiosity.

After 13 years of home schooling we under the radar, we registered with Groves Christian College of Distand Ed, for a number of reasons. I'd like to hear from others whether they are registered with any school and why or why not/

Cheers!

 

I wrote a long-winded  thorough four parter last year regarding our reasons to homeschool. You can read it here.

Hi Ruby, I'm not registered with a school because it was the autonomy of curricula and teaching methods that attracted me to home education in the first place, and I didn't want to be under anybody else's watchful eye. I just didn't want to be told what to do! 

When we first started I thought I might make use of the local school for music or sport or art, but we have found our days full enough without these extras, and so far I haven't felt their lack. 

I am registered with the authorities as an official homeschooling family in Victoria though - we are not below the radar as you say!  It is 'the law' and so we just did it without much thought.  So far there have been no ramifications from that decision, but I watch with interest to see what comes out of the 'National Curriculum'.  If they try to bring homeschoolers under that umbrella I might jump up and down a little bit!

Hi Tania for your reply.

I shall pop off to read your thorough exposition right now!