The family and friend response.

So with the decision to homeschool came the time to let certain friends and family members know our plans. One friend, who I love dearly, we were pregnant with our boys together, and the boys have played together since infancy; and by the way would have been in the same kindergarten class. This friend successfully completed education through the public schools in the school district that we live in. So the response was that she thinks I am crazy, and that I haven't even given the school a chance, therefore I am making an ignorant decision. DJ will miss out on socialization, he won't learn how to take turns, or how to stand in line, or how to be quiet when it's time to be quiet. I'm not going to type out the hour long debate that went down, it ended with both of us settling on "I value your opinion, but I'm going to disagree with you on this". This morning was my mother-in-law, who was already aware that if the kids went to public school at all, it would only be for elementary school. So I let her know that we had made a decision, and DJ would not be attending kindergarten in the fall. Long silence. I broke the silence by citing a few of the factors behind our choice, shortly thereafter her phone was beeping and she would have to hang up. Obviously there's no oposition from my family, as I was homeschooled successfuly. I know that this is only the beginning of defending the choice to homeschool to very well-meaning people who love our children, and happen to think I'm crazy and damning them to a life of anti-social behavior, coupled with the inability to be quiet, take turns, stand in line, hold their bladders, or sit still for the greater part of a 6 hour day. If I ever lose my sense of humor...........well let's just hope that never happens. I know there are many more questions I'll have to answer to. "What about choir, and gym class, and sports, and the prom"? I think I will be constructing a post with my answers to these, and other FAQs, if nothing else to have as a reference, or to print and hand out at family functions when I see that look on someones face. So if you have any questions yourself, or if you have suggestions for questions please comment.