Here has been my train of thought regarding homeschooling over the past few months:
4 months ago
I would never homeschool. I am not cut out for it. I want some hours to myself. I want my children to be in school, for sure. I loved school growing up. They will too. It'll be good for all of us.
3 months ago
Nate sure does fuss about going to school lately. And Christmas break is really nice without having to rush like crazy in the mornings. But Jon thinks I wouldn't like homeschooling. He's right. I wouldn't! I mean, what would I do with Levi? Too much work.
2 months ago
Why do I keep thinking about homeschooling? Well, Nate does love to learn and is so enthusiastic when we do learning-type things together. And he is having some minor behavior issues at school. But if we homeschooled and he got ahead academically, where does that put us if we want to send him back to school? This feels like a life sentence I'd be making. Do I really want a homeschooling high schooler? Instead, we should see if there is any way possible we can budget for his current school and just ask the teacher to offer some more work for him. Yes, that's the solution. Right?
1 week ago
Nate's school is closing down after this year. Now I know why God has been placing this homeschooling idea on my heart! But wait... If I commit to homeschooling Nate, does that mean I have to homeschool the other two children? I'm feeling overwhelmed, and it still feels like I'm making a long-term decision. And there are so many decisions to make, too! Curriculum? Routine? Send Lucy somewhere? Does that make me a bad mom if I homeschool one child but send another to public school?
Now
I'm in the middle of reading The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child on my Kindle, and I am so excited about homeschooling now! I had been worried about some things because I feared how they would look to outsiders. I'd been leaning toward not using a set curriculum but worried how that would look. I wanted to send Lucy 2 or 3 days a week to preschool, because I know she would love it and I think it would help me, but I also worried about how that would look (not only would anti-homeschoolers look down on me because of homeschooling, but then pro-homeschoolers would look down on me for sending Lucy!). Now, I'm confident that I'm just going to do what works for our family.
When I told Nate that I thought he would be home with me for first grade, learning at home with me as his teacher, he was SO excited. I mentioned some of my ideas to him (like doing a quilt together), and he was thrilled. Since then, each day he has said, "So mom, let's talk about homeschooling again!"
I still have a lot to learn, but now that the decision has been made, I am just excited.
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9 comments:
And I am so proud of you I have tears running down my face. Your children and your parents are blessed! Thank you for sharing the journey to your decision.
Aw, thanks Mama. :)
You will seriously be the best homeschool Mom ever.
PS Mama Meg just made me cry.
Ok, who moved the kleenex! Awesome post Katie!
katie, I'm so very excited for you! i loved reading your post, your transparency. would love to talk more with you about it, as this is what we will be doing, too. xoxo
ps: maybe, if you might consider homeschooling Luce, we could tag-team some weekly teaching of the girls! :)
Go Katie! It is such a strange dynamic of once you decide you homeschool it is as if you are a target for opinions you didn't necessarily ask for. Ask the Holy Spirit. Ask your husband. Ask a few people who know your family best and who know your child best. Go for it! You will do great!
I can totally see all your points of feeling overwhelmed or perhaps judged or what not but thank you so much for sharing your journey and decision, I love it! I'm excited to hear about this new adventure you two will be embarking on:).... ps thanks for the comment on my post; I miss you too! xo
I think that sounds like a fantastic plan! We don't use a set curriculum and it works great for our family- we are all about the unit studies. :) Still would love to chat about it- even if just to encourage you and share some good resources. One of these days we'll both have a free moment at the same time of day...
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