On our first morning of homeschooling, we all got up and jumped into the van, heading out for a celebratory breakfast of hotcakes and fruit smoothies. As we threw our clothes on, a random, powerful thunderstorm rolled in, and the power blinked off and on. But we headed out into the storm anyway.
You see, we needed to vacate, because we live across the street from the elementary school where we'd been enrolled for the last five years. Watching 400 excited kids with their new backpacks and hair cuts striding down the sidewalk for their first day of school ... Well, it would have been too much.
My daughter, instead of eyeing kindergarten classmates on the playground for the first time, sat wedged between her brothers in the far back of the van. They'd never done that before, sat back there all together. Today, though, they huddled far away from me, perhaps in a show of solidarity against their mom's apparent loss of her mind.
As we walked into McDonald's, though, they seemed happy and excited. Chemical food always makes it better. I opened the door to lots of silver-haired patrons, and one of them said, "Hey, aren't you kids supposed to be in school or something?" We smiled and walked on, pretending he hadn't said spoken.
Later, at home, as the kids worked on assignments, I discovered my 10 year old sitting in the comfy recliner in the family room, workbook on his lap, quietly sobbing. He had a direct view of the school from where he sat.
He would have been a fifth grader, the "senior" class of the school. Why couldn't he have just finished with his class? What about Dragon Day (their version of field day)? What about touring the middle school, with its rumored candy and soda vending machines?? What about his friends?
I closed the curtains, wiped his tears, held his face in my hands, and kissed him on the forehead again and again. "I know this is hard," I said, tears welling in my own eyes now. "I promise you, it will be OK. Do you hear me? You'll see, honey. It'll be OK. Great, even!"
He has no idea of knowing what homeschooling will be like, and honestly, I have only my vision for what this adventure could be, streaked with fears of my own shortcomings ruining everything.
I have only my burning desire to spend more time with my kids, to make sure they learn tons of things that will prepare them for life in this exhilirating, confusing, dangerous world. I have only my God-given duty to do everything I can to turn them into loving, capable adults and to give them a joyful childhood in the process.
I have only my sincere promise that, no matter what happens with this homeschooling thing, Mom's gonna make sure that you're OK. Great, even.
You see, we needed to vacate, because we live across the street from the elementary school where we'd been enrolled for the last five years. Watching 400 excited kids with their new backpacks and hair cuts striding down the sidewalk for their first day of school ... Well, it would have been too much.
My daughter, instead of eyeing kindergarten classmates on the playground for the first time, sat wedged between her brothers in the far back of the van. They'd never done that before, sat back there all together. Today, though, they huddled far away from me, perhaps in a show of solidarity against their mom's apparent loss of her mind.
As we walked into McDonald's, though, they seemed happy and excited. Chemical food always makes it better. I opened the door to lots of silver-haired patrons, and one of them said, "Hey, aren't you kids supposed to be in school or something?" We smiled and walked on, pretending he hadn't said spoken.
Later, at home, as the kids worked on assignments, I discovered my 10 year old sitting in the comfy recliner in the family room, workbook on his lap, quietly sobbing. He had a direct view of the school from where he sat.
He would have been a fifth grader, the "senior" class of the school. Why couldn't he have just finished with his class? What about Dragon Day (their version of field day)? What about touring the middle school, with its rumored candy and soda vending machines?? What about his friends?
I closed the curtains, wiped his tears, held his face in my hands, and kissed him on the forehead again and again. "I know this is hard," I said, tears welling in my own eyes now. "I promise you, it will be OK. Do you hear me? You'll see, honey. It'll be OK. Great, even!"
He has no idea of knowing what homeschooling will be like, and honestly, I have only my vision for what this adventure could be, streaked with fears of my own shortcomings ruining everything.
I have only my burning desire to spend more time with my kids, to make sure they learn tons of things that will prepare them for life in this exhilirating, confusing, dangerous world. I have only my God-given duty to do everything I can to turn them into loving, capable adults and to give them a joyful childhood in the process.
I have only my sincere promise that, no matter what happens with this homeschooling thing, Mom's gonna make sure that you're OK. Great, even.
John looks a little surprised that we'reactually going through with this!
5 comments:
Best of luck to you on your adventure!
I love it. And, they will love it. They'll come around once they dig in and see how much FUN it is to go on field trips, meet a new circle of kids, become more independent... it's an amazing lifestyle. And that's exactly what it is, a lifestyle choice. One that I will never, ever regret. We have made the most amazing friends and have explored wondrous places, all which would have been impossible with any other lifestyle choice. I am so happy for you all! Thanks for the energy recharge. Keep going!
I love your blog! I'm excited to read about your hs journey. I started a preschool curriculum this year.
Oh my goodness...I have so much I could say right now - First of all, I am excited for you AND the kids, for your first year of home schooling. Granted, your first day did not go as planned already....but that's home schooling! Just roll with it! It's part of the fun! Do not fear of you "...own shortcomings, and ruining everything." The greatest requirement and top qualification to teach your own children, is LOVE. It's more than apparent that is present! Your mini list of reasons you are home schooling are only more confirmation, that everything WILL be fine indeed! MORE than fine! Fear of the unknown, is a powerful force. That's why it's important to get DOING.It seems by now, you must be a few weeks into home schooling. Are things feeling better for everyone? I will home school no matter what, but I also want my kids to love it as much as I do. So I make sure they experience all of the perks that home schooling has to offer, keep most of the learning FUN, and yet make sure they are disciplined with certain aspects of their schooling too. My kids LOVE being home schooled, and they say so with enthusiasm to anyone who asks. Especially those who say, "Hey, aren't you supposed to be in school today?" My favorite answer...."We are."
Best wishes! I'll be trying to keep following for sure! Remember....it's not ALL up to YOU. God;s grace is a gift you can always count on. :)
What a great year to homeschool! We've had nine snow days, three 2 hour delays and one early dismissal.
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