Sharing our homeschool journey...

A few years ago I decided to be much more open about our homeschool journey. I posted more about our homeschooling on my blog, I shared many of our adventures and things we have done on my Facebook page, and I talked openly with all that asked or commented on our choice to homeschool.

I did so after spending the first years of our homeschool journey worrying daily about what others thought and trying desperately to live up to the standards of others. I tried to make our homeschool something others would expect of a "good" homeschool family. But along the way I realized I was spending too much of my time trying to appease others and accomplish what I thought was expected instead of focusing on my kids, their needs, and what truly worked best for them.

By opening up our homeschool journey to others I found that not only did I have more confidence in what I was doing and the choice we made to homeschool, but more people, family and friends, began to join in on the fun and help us along the way.

Of course there are still many that do not share our view on education and homeschooling, and that's ok, but I have felt that opening the door to what we do and who we are has given those we know a better idea of what homeschooling is, or least what it is for our family.

I have really enjoyed sharing our homeschool journey, as I really do love and believe in what we are doing. I have greatly appreciated when family and friends have offered their support, advice, encouragement, and supplies or field trip ideas. I like to think that being more open about our homeschooling and what we do, has given those we know another view on homeschooling, and helped give positive thoughts and feelings when they think about homeschoolers.

Everything I share about our homeschooling, I do so because I like to share and of course as a mom, I love to show off my kids and what they do. It is never meant to shove our choice in anyone's face or compare our journey to another's. Everyone and each family needs to decide what is best for them and their needs, their wants, and situation. Our way is just that, Our Way!