School's Out

We took Connor out of public school today.  It was a family decision, not a parents' decision, and for some reason, I feel like I need to state my case...so here it is. 

We're choosing to home school Connor....

#1:  Because he wants to be home schooled.

#2:  I don't like the talks kids are having at school.  Now, I know I can't shelter him from all of life's bad apples...and honestly, I don't want to.  But at what point is it appropriate for children to talk to each other about sex?  Age six?  I think not....and it's been a subject brought up more than twice, and Connor continues to question me about it (and other things), and we finally sat him down and had an age appropriate discussion...using words and scenarios that he can actually grasp.  This is shocking...and it's not just the 'let's talk about sex' discussion that is inappropriate.  It's the kids' mindsets altogether.  When it's not sex, it's something else.  Daily.  I think today's youth are being exposed to things they shouldn't. 

#3:  I think Connor needs a little debriefing from the last two years.  I think our entire family does.  We need to stick together, and I think he's feeling that as much as Adam and I are.  A move out of state, job promotion, job demotion, sick baby, separated family, in-home nursing, job change, job loss, move in with parents out of state, mom goes to work, dad works from home ....move from big house to small apartment...it's a lot for an adult to handle, and I don't think I've fully processed all of that yet.  In fact, I know I haven't.  So, why would I expect a six-year-old to?  He's needing to be home with us right now; I think that's OK.

#4:  This was the original plan.  Before Joel graced us with his presence, we planned to home school.  I was at home, enjoying my crafting-cooking-cleaning-diaperchanging-life, and Connor was excited to be home schooled.  Then Joel came, and we knew that our house was chaos.  Nurses, appointments, a fragile baby...Connor needed the opportunity to 'show off'.  Have something for him to bring home and say, 'Look what I did today without you, see how wonderful and grown-up I am...'  We had an incredible kindergarten teacher for him, and public school suited him well last year.  But during this last Christmas break, I felt that urge again...that gut feeling, telling me what I already knew.  I am the one who is to be teaching my son right now.  He felt that too. 

#5: We feel like this is the right thing for our family.

Thank you for all of your concerns, opinions (even negative ones), & private messages.  Know that I've taken them all to heart.  I hope that you will respect this decision, as it's a big one.  We've given this a lot of prayer and time to think this over, and we're prepared to do what it takes to make sure our son is getting the education he needs.  We have faith that this is something we will succeed at, and I hope that you can have faith in us too.