Heya! Happy Saturday. How are you? Already the second week of September and things have changed. A new season of life has began, and we’re a little older and hopefully wiser than we were a couple of months ago.
Last year around this time I made a decision to send my two older kids (6 and 9) to “school in the building,” (public school). I thought it would be easier on me. We just moved to a new town and state, we didn’t know anyone or had any friends or family here, I had a 2 year old and a 1 year old, and I was pregnant. I just couldn’t see myself managing homeschool in that season of my life. Plus I felt as though my oldest child, who loves being around other people, would need a way to make friends while we where still getting to know the place.
At the beginning of the school year, it was exciting. Getting them ready for school each day, fixing hair, picking outfits, packing lunch and later on hearing about what they did and learned that day. I even started this journey doing devotions and praying in the morning before they headed off to their bus stop one house way from us.
Then things changed, their personalities and behaviors changed in a way I didn’t like. They shared about what they learned and did at school alot less. Blending my school kids’ daily routine with my home kids’ daily routine proved to be a challenge. I felt pulled in two different directions, like we were living two different lives. I felt I was angry more and I was very frustrated that “school” took over our family life. Even after school- there’s more school- homework, reading log, etc. Time with my kids were less and less. I didn’t like it.
Not to mention, thinking only having two of my kids home with me would make life easier was just an illusion. It was not easier at all. So from the middle of the school year I decided in my mind that I’d go back to homeschooling the following year. I impatiently waited for the school year to come to an end. For so many reasons it would not have been the right time until now.
Now things are different than they were two months ago. Now my baby is 5 months old, my toddlers are settling and growing in some areas, my homeschool fire has reignited after reconfirming why sending my kids to “school in the building” is not for me. The homeschool families at the church I found only four weeks ago are getting a Coop started, which is something I never had before as a homeschool mom. I actually never personally met another homeschooling family before. So that’s great. I have a pretty good idea of how and what I’m going to teach and we decided to make one of the rooms in our house that we were using for other purposes a schoolroom.
We started homeschool officially on Tuesday and had our second coop meeting today (Friday). The week and the meeting went well.
I have my challenges, but these are challenges I am willing to fight through because I know what I am working towards and what I’m fighting for.
Peace, Love and Blessings to you.
What’s New at Asklatisha
Are you a homeschool parent? How was your first week back to homeschool?
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Sunday Show ‘n’ Tell
Welcome back to homeschooling! I found it to be much easier once we brought our formerly public schooled child home to connect more as a family and we didn’t have to deal with behaviors of other children being so much an influence on our children. It’s a major commitment, but 18 years in, I’d say it is totally worth any and every sacrifice.
Oh, I know what you went through. After our first two years of homeschooling I burned out and sent the kids back to school for two years. At first, it was exciting, but it got old very quickly. I found that homeschooling is just a better fit for our family. So, after I pulled them back out, I vowed that we would never send them back- that was 6 years ago.
We started our new curriculum and homeschooling routine this week.. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it went; though I do expect weeks that won’t go as well. Good luck with your year.
Thanks for hosting every week. I hope the coop works out well for your family.
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