Bill Webster, I commend you for what appears to be your desire to do the right thing for your children. I, too, am a home schooling parent. While it is often difficult to acquiesce to the purported validity of the practical application the public education system has on our children's spiritual, academic, and social development, it is necessary to accept the fact that others agree with its validity. That is rightfully their choice as home schooling is rightfully ours. It is also reasonable to accept that there are publicly-educated children whose parents would love to home-school but in God's providence, they do not. It is neither our responsibility to judge or analyze why others do not home-school just as it is not theirs to judge or analyze us ours. For many of those parents who would like to home-school, I'm sure the answer is not as simple as calling the Peachtree City Home School Group, of which I am also a member. So let's put this home schooling issue into a broader perspective.

First, you obviously have your own agenda as a home schooler. Thus, you do not nor can you, speak for home schoolers at large. By promoting your own agenda in the name of other home schoolers and home school support groups like the Peachtree City Home School Group, you misrepresent many of us. Perhaps your next letter to the editor could be an outline of your agenda so we'll all know how to respond as better educated readers.

Second, the Peachtree City Home School Group is composed of a plethora of home schooling opinions, styles, and principles; yours is only one of them. This group was founded to serve as a means of encouragement and support to fellow home schoolers and not to ridicule others who embrace the tenets of the public education system.

Next, let me address the issue of investing in our children, which you refer to as "the ultimate high." I am the product of an excellent private and public education system, neither of which included home schooling and both of which have regressed at best within the last 30 years.

Nonetheless, I recall many experiences from both arenas that have aided positively and practically to my life and consequently to the lives of my three children. In addition, while I agree home schooling is a difficult task, perhaps you could consider how difficult it is for parents to rear their children in a society that is the epitome of spiritual declension. The issue is much bigger than home schooling versus public education. I have seen students do well and do poorly in spite of both and because of both! Everyone's situation is different and usually calls for someone to sacrifice something at some point for the student's benefit. Home schooling is not always the answer to a good education and neither is a public education. It all depends on the child's needs and the family's goals and desires.

If we as home schoolers do not teach our children in ways that provide biblical leadership and training, social balances, and well-organized educational settings, we are wasting their lives away for them. No, I do not agree with the whole language. My father is a retired college president and English professor, my mother is a retired second grade (public school) teacher, and I am a former college instructor of freshman writing, so I know better.

No, I do not agree with feeding children when they are not hungry nor do I believe in feeding them the idea that home schoolers are better than public schoolers. And yes, my children do get up well before 7 a.m., not to catch a schoolbus but to attend their physical education class (a daily one-mile run). They are in our schoolroom by 9 a.m. ready to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America where they have the freedom to do just that in the confines of our home!

You also have the same freedom to do what you want to do and to say what you want to say as long as it doesn't slander or put anyone else's life in jeopardy. The Sherry family has the same rights. It isn't good citizenship to attempt to speak for what could be going on in their home: only they know. If they want us to know, let's leave it to them to tell it! I recommend to your reading list "Hints On Child Training" by H. Clay Trumbull and "Ensuring A Quality Education For Your Children: A Guide for Parents" by Fayette Asst. Supt. John DeCotis.