Homeschooling?

I am thinking about taking a leap of faith and homeschool my 1st grader and 9th grader. If everything works out like I hope we will begin after Christmas. I have different fears with each child. Like will my 1st grader actually do what I need him to do or will it turn into a battle. I have had a couple of issues with him to get him to do his homework from school. Or will I really be able to teach my 9th grader algebra, chemistry and a foreign language all of which I have little or no knowledge of. My biggest fear is messing her up and her not graduate on time. Both of my children are A students so I know they can do it but can I? I am a stay at home mom and to be honest it is kind of a nice break when they are off at public school. I have a 2 year old as well so I still get some excitement during the day! I want to try this new adventure in hopes of gaining a better connection with my children and also for the freedom homeschooling can provide. How many times have many of us been in the situation where we needed/wanted to go out of town but couldn't because the kids couldn't miss school. With homeschooling we could go out of town and turn it into a learning field trip! What about the days where your child might wake up not feeling so good, but then a few hours later they are feeling better and bouncing off the wall. Yes you could take them into school late, but they would get a tardy. The school here gives out a tardy even if you check them out 5 minutes early for a doctor's appointment. After so many tardies they get Saturday school. I don't know about you but I don't want to wake up at 6 am on Saturday and deal with getting them to school! If we home schooled there wouldn't be a problem to push back schooling a few hours or find something to do like read a book or watch a dvd about space or anything educational your child is interested in. I know what some people are thinking what about socialization? Well I've thought of that too and while yes they are at school 5 days a week with over 600 other children they are not getting real socialization there. Not where my kids go anyways. I can only speak of experiences my kids have had. My daughter is in 9th grade she hasn't made what she would call a true friend at all. There isn't alot of free time to socialize I know they're there to learn, but that answers the socialize part in itself. My 1st grader has been punished for such things as not sitting with his legs crossed the right way, running on the playground, and talking during centers. To explain centers is when a group of kids go to explore toys. They have play-doh, puzzles, blocks and other so called learning aides. I have no problem with that, but they are not allowed to talk or make a noise at all! My son got in trouble for this in kindergarten and I thought it was just the teacher, but no it's a rule. To have a group of 5 and 6 years at a table full of what they see as toys and not allow them to make a peep, it just boggles my mind! So I don't see how they can learn to be social if they can't communicate. I have been reading blogs and researching about homeschooling for the past few months and while I still have questions and fears I still want to try. If it doesn't work for us they can always go back to public school. Do you homeschool or know someone who does? What are your opinions of it? I would love to hear any feedback, tips or questions you might have.

Have a great day,