The Public School Thing

So my girls started public school this week for the first time. Well sort of, my oldest attended 2 yrs of preschool, then a public school for kindergarten, and then we have homeschooled her for 1st-5th. My youngest attended 2 yrs of preschool, but has been homeschooled ever since {K-3rd}. So basically all they can remember is being homeschooled.

I have a lot to tell about their first few days of school including lots of fun pictures. But first I just want to get something off my chest that has been bothering me a lot lately.

Making the decision to homeschool was one of the most difficult decisions we ever made as parents ... making the decision to send them 'back to school' was even harder. Neither decision was made quickly or naively. We went through months of prayer and research and thought before making BOTH choices.

When it comes right down to it we feel that we followed where the Lord led us in BOTH decisions. Way back when we chose to homeschool we clearly felt the Lord leading us to do that. This year we clearly felt the Lord asking us to make the next step and send them back into regular school. We asked many of our closest family and friends to pray with us that we would clearly see the Lord's direction in each of these choices.

What bothers me is feeling judged for our decisions. I have a lot of friends who homeschool and a lot of friends who send their kids to public school or even a few who send their kids to private school. I KNOW that I know that each of these parents has done what they think is the best thing for each child of theirs. I even know some parents who have one in school and one homeschooling.

As Moms we make hundreds of choices on our child's behalf, we decide if we will nurse them or bottle feed, we choose cloth or disposable diapers, we say no to TV or we allow it ... the point is - each Mom {or parent} makes choices they feel are right for THEIR CHILD or children. So who are we to judge one another??

When I homeschooled one thing that drove me batty was the general 'holier than thou' attitude that many homeschooling parents have. I LOVED homeschooling, I LOVED having my girls home with me, I LOVED making our own schedule, I LOVED so many great things that are HUGE benefits to homeschooling ... but I NEVER judged my friends who chose public school. Every child is different, every parent is different, every family situation is different.

I am SO thankful for the years we had to homeschool. Who knows, maybe someday we'll do it again?! But for now I am thankful for the girl's schools and teachers who so far have been incredible. We are choosing to take their education one year at a time and let the Lord lead our decision making each year.

I've been really hurt lately over a few people who seem to disagree with our decision. Sometimes it's a person's silence that shows they don't agree with you, sometimes it's a rude comment {meant to be funny, but honestly just rude} that lets me know they don't agree with it, sometimes it's just the constant questioning of 'what if?' .... Some times I think people don't realize how hurtful it can be.

Honestly I know I shouldn't care what others think. And I really don't mind if people do not share our choices or our opinions on public school OR homeschool. I'm not saying everyone has to believe the same as us or do what we do. But I'm just saying it's hurtful. I do care.

Beyond that I want to say that for the small handful of 'naysayers' there have been HUGE amounts of wonderfully supportive friends and family. I am SO SO SO thankful for all the people who prayed for us and who have encouraged us this week with emails, notes, texts, prayers, and encouragements. We ARE blessed to have so many people who care about us.

We have clearly seen the Lord work out so many neat details for our girls over and over again as we've made this BIG transition back into school and for that I am SO thankful! {And I promise the next post will be much more fun and upbeat.}  Thanks for letting me vent! =)