So. Here's the Scoop...

We are a normal (sometimes) family in California that made a radical  decision in 2010 to HOMESCHOOL!

The reactions are a mixture of horror, shock and rarely awe! The questions many people ask are: “What about socialization?” or, “What about college?”. Sometimes people stare…blink twice…and then change the subject. Around 2% of the time people say; “Way to go…awesome…wish I could've been homeschooled!”. At first I was happy to tell them the reasons that we personally had for this decision. I would stand and make my case to anyone who cared to listen. I felt I had to explain myself.

The truth is, we are really a normal family. I think most people would put themselves in this category (normal) so I will clarify what “normal” means to me: We aren’t  conservative, we don’t think we are too liberal. We aren’t religious in the conventional sense. We are tolerant of all beliefs and persuasions. We don’t think school is inherently bad and we certainly have nothing against teachers (our oldest is getting her Masters degree in education). I’m not a helicopter mom, micro managing and hanging on to every last bit of their childhood that I can (at least I try). I even have a part time job outside of the house. Shocker!

As far as our day to day existence, we do not demand our kids read Chaucer or Euclid’s Elements (although I will admit I had hopes!), nor do we lounge about all day with no expectations whatsoever. We have trials, arguments and mishaps. We second guess ourselves on occasion and wish that there was a guide book to raising our particular children!

I have stopped listening to the naysayer's and most importantly, I’ve stopped trying to convince them. The choice of homeschooling is so personal for each and every family… and most definitely never for any one reason! This website - and the blogs we're working on here - is meant to be documentation of our personal journey. Along the way if I can inspire someone to try something new, well, great! Most of all I hope that this shows an ordinary family having a fun time exploring and learning about the universe...together.