By: Faye Hoffman

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (abc40) -- The concept of homeschooling children is becoming more mainstream, and hundreds of families in our area do it.

For the Ackermans, the day starts pretty early, like any other family with school age children. The difference for Gage, Mercedes, Rocquel and Aalyia is that school is in their dining room.   Their mother, Gial Mejias, has been homeschooling her children for six years.  "It's not always easy." she laughs.  "There are days when I look out the window and think, 'What am I doing?'"

Mejias studied early childhood education at UMass.  The older children learn independently. 17 year-old Gage Ackerman says, "I can get my work done in a shorter amount of time that I could at school."  But if the older children need help, mom has teaching manuals available.  "I'm not homeschooling because I think I can do a better job than the schools, or because I'm smarter, or anything like that.  I think it's like with anything in life, if you have an interest in something you learn it and you do it."

Mejias says her kids were growing up fast, and she wanted the family to have more time together.  Her husband thought she was crazy at first.  "I was like 'what? I said no, we don't have to do that, I never did that. The kids are fine in school.'" says Bob Ackerman. 

Of course, at the beginning, she had the same concerns as any parents.  "How do they socialize?  Are they home all day?" Mejias wondeed.  But they get out quite a bit, their flexible schedule allows them time to visit museums, libraries, do community service and pursue their artistic interests.

When we asked them, they couldn't come up with many "cons" of homeschooling.   But Mejias is quick to admit it's not for everyone.  Parents need to be driven to do it, requirements in Massachusetts are tougher than many other states, and it can be expensive.  You have to pay for the curriculum, and one parent has to stay home during the day.  As far as the family time though, the Ackermans say that's priceless.

Depending on the curriculum you choose and the activities you engage your children in, homeschooling can cost several hundred to several thousand dollars.   Requirements can vary by district, but a standardized test or portfolio is generally done at the end of the year.