Why We Homeschool

I originally sent my kids to public school. I volunteered during Noah's Kindergarten year. He had an awesome teacher, a rare gem. She was the perfect transition from pre-school to Kindergarten and even home since Noah had very little pre-school experience. Noah was eager and excited to read and learn. Ethan went to school the next year and I got a job in another Kindergarten class. He had a good year too but, being a different child, he wasn't thrilled about school. Noah had a rough year and by the end, he ended up hating school and didn't even want to pick up a book. I got first hand experience on what goes on from day to day and I didn't like it.

What are the problems?...

Kids do not get the attention and help they need to learn.
All kids are expected to be on the same level and when one is not they are labeled as "slow" and such.
Social skills are completely ignored and replaced with academics.
There is a serious lack of positive reinforcement, the negative is all that matters.
Children are not recognized for their individuality and different learning styles.
It is ASSumed that all kids attended pre-school and are over needing mommie.
Naps are pitiful and still needed.
And that's just Kindergarten...

It was suggested that Noah see a Dr. about ADHD. First, a teacher has no right to suggest this. Second, my child can control his behavior, he just doesn't like to sit all day and do work. He needs active time. I can't count the number of times I passed him in the hall that year and he just cried.
Then there were all the issues with the Board of Education which sucked to no end. Poor choices and a personal vendetta costs the school system tons of money and resulted in lay offs, me being one. I see this as a blessing in disguise. I pulled my kids out and we haven't looked back since.
It's taken time but we have a good schedule, reading has improved and is becoming an enjoyment and I get to raise my kids. I really didn't have a specific problem with religion at this point in my kids educational journey. Their teachers were professing Christians but now I get to be the one to guide them in that respect too. I can't even begin to tell about the improvement in my neice's life and the decreased level of "drama" since we started home schooling. She was a junior in high school when we started and now is attending college.

I know all families can't home school and some maybe aren't cut out for it but is sure is worth the sacrifices we have made to do so.