Why do I home school?

Most people think you are crazy when you mention home schooling. Some are excited for you, but it's very few. Bless the few! So when we have hard home schooling days I have to remind myself why I'm doing this and of course, everyone wants to know why you chose to go against the mainstream and be the oddball out. I still like to hear what brought parents to choose home schooling for their children. So, like yesterday when I my brother, in a comment under his breath (have I mentioned how much I LOVE teenagers) say something like, "You need to put these kids in real school." I remind myself why I like home schooling. Here are some of my top reasons:

1. I do not have to adhere to any schedule. I don't have to get my children up and off to school. I don't have to be home from anywhere by 3 pm or sit in a pick up line at the school for a half-hour and then, of course, there's the drive there time and the drive home time. Nope, we are as free as birds. We take a field trip to the science museum or the lake or the park and stay until we are ready to come home!
2. I love teaching my children! I love seeing the spark in their eyes as they grasp new concepts. 
3. My children's time is their own. They are not tortured with sitting through classes all day only to come home to an hour of homework and dinner and a little playtime and bed. They get to play, explore, relax and be children (and still learn).They have more than a fifteen minute recess in a day and they can talk in the hallways!

Maybe I'll have to add the things I'm struggling with home schooling next . . .