Planning and supervising a child’s educational future is an enormous undertaking. Nearly 7 years ago, our family embraced the challenge of homeschooling, and now 5 of our 8 great kids are school age.

We are often asked why we homeschool—the query came again just this past weekend—and it is a hard question to answer. What started as a makeshift solution to a temporary problem turned into a lifestyle change that strengthened our family bond. Along the way we learned that reasons to homeschool are as diverse as families themselves.

So here we are, at the end of our 7th year, and I get a lot of questions about why, about how-to, and, of course the enduring, "are you out of your mind?" And the answers are because it just feels right, anyway we can, and yes.

For those of you who read my column in the Appeal Democrat, welcome to a more informal look--and occasional rant--at homeschooling life. I'll be posting a link to my website soon, and I am hoping to get my email newsletter in the works now that the school year is drawing to a close and I have a bit more time on my hands. Until then, happy homeschooling!