I have to admit, for some reason I am nervous to write about this. I don't even know why, but for some reason or another the butterflies are flying in my stomach. I think maybe some of my nervousness stems from what people might have to say about what I am going to talk about. But I also have felt impressed for the last couple of weeks to write about this. This has been a controversial topic from the get go, but I feel like I need to share how this last year has been. Actually the school year isn't really over yet, but we have actually finished our first year of curriculum. Our materials for the next grade level are all ready in the mail, so if you were wondering if we are going to continue to homeschool, the answer is DEFINITELY YES!!!!! I can't begin to express how totally and completely our family has been blessed by this decision. I as a mom and teacher have been blessed with more patience. I think this has been the biggest thing. Now don't think that I have become "Ms. Patience", there have been some not-so-good moments, but overall there has been a huge difference, for me and for Hailey. We are learning together and for that our relationship is growing stronger. That kind of leads into another blessing that has come from this. I truly feel that our family will ultimately be stronger, I hope, for doing this. While other children are separated from their families for eight hours for school, plus homework, plus extra curricular activites, we are fortunate to be able to spend that time together as a family. I didn't even realize going into homeschool that this was a concern. But after seeing how close my kids are with each other because they get to spend so much time together, I have become increasingly grateful. Now I know you are thinking it's important for them to get other social contacts, and I totally agree. This is why they have friends that come over and play, are involved with church activities, and are going to be enrolled in dance class. We are also involved with a homeschool group in our area that gets together for various field trip activities. I am in no way concerned about their social "capabilities". I now feel that you are either social awkward or not. How many of us went to public school and there were just weird kids? You know who I am talking about. So I don't even think of social aspects of homeschool a concern anymore. I also feel blessed by the experiences we are getting to share together as a family. At the beginning of the year so many people expressed their concern that my kids weren't going to get certain experiences that you would get in public school, and that is true. But I think the experiences that we are having together are so much better!! My kids will have memories that lots of other kids WON'T have. The science experiments on the kitchen counters, the cool art projects, the fact that their mom taught them how to read, and the excitement that we shared together as a family when one of them had a light bulb go on for a certain math concept. These are priceless to me now. I don't think I could give them up. Nor could my kids.
I hope that through this I can inspire mom's to know that it is possible. My most frustrating thing I have experienced this first year is mom's telling me that they could never do it. If I can do it, anyone can do it! I don't come up with my own curriculum. I get it through an online program. Everything is laid out for me each day, which is what makes it possible for me. I am very busy with my calling at church, teaching piano lessons, making cakes, the list goes on. But homeschool works. My five year old is starting to read first grade chapter books, she can add and subtract two digit numbers. She loves art projects and science experiments. What more could I ask for? I again am so glad for this experience and hope that circumstances continue to allow us to do this. Again, I know that not only are my kids getting a better education, but we are growing closer as a family. This is so important to me right now. The family is so important right now, more than ever! I hope that we can continue to grow closer and that my kids will not only have friends outside of the home, but will find best friends in each other.
Disclaimer: I felt so strongly about writing this that the only time I could find to do this was at 12:30 a.m. So if you find spelling or other errors in the above post that's why!
