Thank you

Thank you Patience and Willa, for responding to my High School post. FWIW, I mostly agree with both of you (since you agree with each other, LOL).

Maybe it is somewhat because dh and I enjoyed several (different) aspects of high school - we don't see it as the horrible thing it has probably become in many schools today! Like I said, public school isn't even a consideration. We have one pretty devout-type high school in mind, and for our oldest with learning challenges, possibly a different school that isn't as devout but has LD support (for more $$$ of course :-P). So *some* of the concerns of a traditional high school would not be as big an issue in this case.

All this is still a big *IF*. But we are thinking of it now, because we are also thinking of moving, and don't know if we should try to move closer to these two schools (right now they are a good 45 or more min away with traffic). Ironically, the homeschooling groups that have the majority of activities/older students are over that way too. But it is expensive, and a long hike for dh back and forth to work every day. We really need to know if it is worth it.

I think part of our worry is that we won't know WHAT the kids will be interested in and won't know how to foster whatever it is that they do choose. Dh talks about being part of math club and competing with other teams, or social studies club (where they just played RISK, LOL), drama club, swim team, etc. He really enjoyed that. I'm trying to "tease out" what it was about those that are so beneficial (I also enjoyed competing in marching band, on science team, etc) and seeing if homeschooling can replace that in some way, or if those things are even really *beneficial* things (just because I enjoyed something doesn't mean it was really good for my soul, KWIM?) But this is dh's main concern, the one thing we can't provide by homeschooling. Clubs, teams, organized ways to investigate and develop talents.

There are social opportunities for older homeschoolers, but they are a hike away from here. Not impossible, but possibly quite difficult with lots of other kids to teach and possibly more babies/toddlers in the future.

I do like what you both said about our kids just being PEOPLE. Not "teens" or what have you, only able to socialize within their peer group. I really do like that about most homeschoolers and hope it does continue on here ---but still, I worry. I only know what I know, what I did and enjoyed growing up. This is SO different!

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.