I've been thinking about returning to homeschooling for a while now. I'm constantly asking my kids if they'd like me to do it again, to my surprise most of them say "yes." My problem is self doubt. I have 5 kids currently in school, that's 5 different grade levels, 5 different sets of curriculum, 5 different levels of my attention required...you get what I'm saying here, right?
I often find myself alone when talking to the other Moms at school about holiday break times. How I don't look forward to my kids returning to school, like all the other Moms do. I miss my children, and worry not only about how they're treated by other students and even staff but what so called "life lessons" happen to be circulating around the playground. I worry about the slow progression and the boredom or lack of attention my kids get at school. I've noticed bad attitudes coming from my kids that were never there before. I've heard the potty mouth language coming out of the 8 year old "mouths of babes" when they've come to my home for birthday parties. I've seen the drama and disappointments on my daughter's face when I ask her how her day was. I also feel some of what they learn is a bit redundant, my kids have either already learned it or the class just spends too much time on it to make sure the other kids are all on the same page before moving on. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with their school, matter of fact I think they go to a pretty good school, expensive but good. But all conventional schools have the same problems and the staff and parents don't always want to see what really goes on.
However (and you can call me bias, I really won't care) my kids are not conventional, they're unique, inquisitive, self motivated and down right amazing little minions of mine and my husband's making. I don't believe I'm sheltering my kids from the "real world" or that I'll be that super over protective parent but honestly isn't that my job? If my husband and I don't look out for our kids's best interest, no one else will.
I don't work outside the home (I sell Scentsy, or I will once it opens up here in Australia next month, but that's another post all together) and I'm currently finishing up a degree in Organic Horticulture so I'm quite able and willing to homeschool them again.
As one who's been here before, I keep revisiting things in my mind where I can do it differently and be even more successful at it. Right now I'm currently settling down to the idea of it again, learning laws, rules and regulations, searching curriculum sites, homeschool groups, forums and how to go about this again. Should I home school my oldest son who's currently in 11th grade? I'm thinking I probably won't, not unless he wanted me to but as for the younger four I think it would be wonderful.
I've had friends and family ask me over the years "how are homeschooled kids socialised?", "how do they get to enjoy extra curricular activities?" yadda yadda yadda! Socialising for us is easy, we're a family of 8, we're plenty social when its needed. Keeping kids involved is the key, whether it be sports clubs, church groups, and or homeschool groups the kids make friends and enjoy common ground.
I'd much rather not have my kids stuck doing 6-7 hours of school work just to come home to do 1-3 hours of homework. What kind of life is that for them or even us as a family? There isn't much quality family time in the evening when the kids are glued to math books and science notes.
Life goes by too fast, childhood isn't always the best time of it either but it's certainly the foundation for the type of adult we grow to be. I want my kids to feel loved and supported, to know that they are always accepted and acknowledged. That they can learn more during "school" then just what the year's curriculum has assigned.
I hope to look back on my life and be able to say that I did all I possibly could to help my children reach their full potential and to be the best people they can possibly be. Here's to the beginning of our new journey ahead.
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| Our beautiful family |
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