How many homeschooling families are there on AFF?

[MissBrattified]

Let me just clarify something here, because this is my soapbox, and I don't want to come off as being unreasonable.

1. I know there are times when public schools are not only necessary, but a blessing. Many children would completely fall through the cracks academically and socially if there was no public school system, because they simply don't have people who care about them at home. Because children are required by law to be educated to a certain level, they are guaranteed a small measure of safety, and at least the opportunity to pursue their dreams. IMO, those opportunities are multiplied many times over in a homeschool.

2. We're the only homeschooling family in our church (now--our pastor and his wife homeschooled their son for a year or two). ALL of my friends are wonderful parents who love their kids and want the best for them. I am not saying that parents who send their kids to public school love them less or want less for them in life. Or that their kids will turn out stupid or unsuccessful! Obviously that's not the case. I do wish some of them would try it, because I feel they would be pleasantly surprised at their children's success and their own proficiency.

Our family made a joint decision (the children were included in the discussion, but didn't have the deciding vote), and it was a good decision that none of us regret. If my husband hadn't been in agreement, we wouldn't be homeschooling. If I weren't willing to teach, we definitely wouldn't be homeschooling.