Jazzed About Homeschooling

Our first month of homeschooling has been great!  I have alot to learn and we have plenty to adjust to, but I am surprised to find that this is a much less stressful lifestyle than having everyone in school everyday, and A. piled up with homework when he comes home tired and frustrated.  I would have expected the opposite, that I would be lost in all of these changes, but it simply hasn't been so.  A.  is happier, more relaxed, and even sleeping better!  I. is still in public school and N. is still in Mothers Day Out three days a week -- the challenge there is managing three different schedules at a different level than I did before.  I can actually see how having all of your kids at home for school would be in some ways easier -- again, a less stressful schedule.   Another challenge is trying to be even more plugged in with I.'s classroom than ever before so she doesn't feel left behind, which requires a bit more juggling.

A. and I (as in, me) visited a homeschooling co-op on Friday and I was WAY mega-impressed!  We actually knew alot of people there, and A. shadowed a friend of his from soccer who goes there.  He went to all of his classes with him -- I just sort of hung around and talked to people, checked the place out, asked alot of questions, etc.  About 70 families (I think?) meet in a beautiful church every Friday.  The whole thing is parent-driven with everyone doing a part.  Kids of all ages are there (infant through high school!)  There was such a variety of classes offered, and a panel of parents grading papers for the levels where grades have to be reported.  I can't possibly explain what a well organized group this was.  A. took math, archery (but it was rained out and they had to play basketball indoors instead), a lego workshop (which involved much more than playing with legos!), another athletic-type class, and cooking.  There were many other academic classes offered, too.  One of the high schoolers we know was taking a class on car maintenance -- SHE was going to learn how to do an oil change that day...

A. enjoyed making a pie in cooking class so much that we got the ingredients and had him make another one for our family today at home. He LOVED it there!  I told him we had to get on a waiting list and it would be a while before they had a spot for our family, and he was disappointed.   I signed our family up for the waiting list on the spot -- in fact, I put all three kids down to be sure there would be a space for them IF we choose to homeschool the girls as well.  Of course, it may just be for A. -- only God knows what the future holds.  So if we do eventually go there, it will be every Friday for two 10 week semesters per year.

One thing I noticed at the co-op was that no-one seemed PRESSURED, unlike public school.  Kids were learning alot, there was tons going on, and everyone was pleasant.  It was clear that these were not cookie cutter families, there was great variety in the people we met but no-one seemed phoney to me, or wierd, or any of the other stereo types that are so mis-placed.

When I read the visitor packet there seemed to be a lot of rules for behavior -- for example, kids are expected to say "yes Ma'am" or "no Sir".  But what I saw in practice was very comfortable, alot of acceptance, and the rules almost seemed like a non-issue.  The kids were well behaved and if they had a little extra energy, no-one was freaking out about it.

Today I began researching giftedness and homeschooling a gifted child.  Also, I did some more research on ADHD and giftedness.  Based upon what I dug up we are definitely on the right track and alot of the ways I have been intuitively working with A. (atleast as far as schoolwork) line up with what was being suggested for learners like him.  I bring up the ADHD because that is something that has often come up with him but we have firmly believed this was not the real issue.  The research I have read suggests that ADHD is way over diagnosed and that the symptoms of ADHD can mimmick some of the  traits of gifted students if not weighed carefully enough.  So again, I am relieved to know we have been on the right track.

Our original thought was to homeschool A. for the remainder of this year and possibly next.  I am getting more and more excited about it all the time, though!  There is a world of possibility out there and I like what I see/hear about homeschooled kids and family more all the time.  Now that I have gotten over my fear of doing this (which kept me from doing it sooner) I am praying about what the next step might be.  It's a little overwhelming for F. and I have to be careful not to talk like "I have changed the plan -- we will be homeschooling everyone until they go to college"!  We need to pray together and listen for what God tells our hearts about each child, on a year by year basis.

For now, atleast, this is a relief for A.  and I am grateful for this time with him.

PS -- Many people have good experiences in public school and there are some very dedicated teachers who put up with alot to do their jobs.  I certainly don't want to diminish the many good people who are involved in public education.  It just doesn't work for everyone, at every stage.