Time to Reflect on School

Now is the time of the school year when we are winding down. Some of our children are in panic mode scurrying from one thing to another to finish certain schoolwork and projects while others are slowly closing books and fading the school days to mere moments in the day just to check off attendance. Moms and teachers are catching their breath while busily trying to decide what to do next year.
For years I knew what I what I would be teaching the following year and had very little decisions to make. Out of necessity I had to use what we had and couldn't afford to buy much of anything new. Now that we own a Christian book service, I am going through the processes of what to do, what to do, oh what should I do next year? It's kind of fun, but it is also daunting. It is easy to get overwhelmed and feel like there is too much to choose from or too many opinions. Homeschool conventions are everywhere right now and can be very discouraging. There is so much information and it takes a lot of time to process everything. There are so many different ideas of what is the best thing for each child that your head is spinning trying to make decisions. That's why so many first time homeschoolers go for the homeschool in box kits. (Which I know can be very helpful.)
Ray and I have been going back and forth over what to do for school next year for the past several weeks. We have had years where some of the older girls went to a Christian school and that worked out well, so we aren't totally opposed to Christian schools for our family. We have looked at several different schools, curriculum and part time home-school programs. We have an idea of the size, cost, teachers, books, athletics, logos and whatever else could be known about most schools within a thirty mile radius. Whew... We have finally come to the decision that next year all of the girls will home-school again, and am I ever thankful? I am reading up on different home-school teachings and such because I don't want to get in a "rut". I am truly excited about next year and implementing some of the great ideas I have come up with that seem to suit our family.
Isn't that a wonderful thing about homeschooling? - what's perfect for one family may not be good at all for the next and it's okay. We don't have to teach everything the government schools teach and our children might turn out as well (or even more) educated. Though I'm looking forward to the beginning of the school, I can't wait for Summer break.