This last year and a half so many monumental things have happened.
We began homeschooling.
We opened a retail store.
We opened an online store. (P.S. we shipped 280 packages this month–thank you SOOO much for your support and general awesomeness.)
We started writing a book.
We began homeschooling again….
I feel like so much has happened that I rarely delve into as much detail as I’d like, the meat of it all.
You guys know this is our second year homeschooling and you know my heart on it. But the question I get asked/emailed the most…is “why did you start homeschooling?”
For some of you, you’re probably on the edge of such a decision, and for others, just simply curious. I have struggled so with my crumbling heart this year with all we have going on, that I’ve been in constant reevaluation and reminding myself of the reasons I do anything…especially homeschooling.
And well, if it is on my heart, then it usually winds up on this blog. I know not everyone who reads our blog will want to read this post, but for those who do, I will start at the beginning.
*******************************
I grew up in a very “normal” family, with a normal house and normal clothes and went to a normal school. We went to normal church and normal sporting events. We were, though, very close and the life we led felt extraordinary, even to this teenager. I see now how hard my parent fought to spend time with us amidst all the activity and how they had to say no to so many things I wanted to be a part of that others were doing…they were so purposeful. (P.S. Mom & Dad, I know sometimes you think I choose such weird things and live so differently than you did–but you know what, I think I learned so much about how to do it right, and I’m just getting there a different way. 🙂 )
I did have some bumps and bruises along the way–especially in school. I’ve written about the start of it before, and I think I’ll reopen that chapter soon. Those bumps truly dictated many of my choices, and that dictated what I deal with now, struggle with, battle.
I met my best friend Lisa my freshman year of college. She was beautiful, attentive, kind, cheerful, intelligent, driven, and could literally sing like an angel. I remember finding out she was homeschooled and wondering how in the world that even worked. We didn’t spend much time together until her junior year, but when we did, we were fast friends. We were part of a Bible study together, and her heart for the Lord won me over–her heart for me and my struggles.
It was then that I warmed to the idea of homeschooling and from that moment I realized anything can be done well…or poorly. Matt and I met several more homeschooled friends in college, and little did I know, but there was a seed planted, and planted firmly.
Fast forward again…After having Grayson in 2006, I stumbled upon a homeschooling blog. This lady rocked. She had it together, and she was educated and well spoken and more importantly, I completely identified with her mission work and family focused heart. I began doing tot school with Gray, to give us fun, purposeful time together. It was a ton of fun and helped focus on shared moments with him. Looking back, I think this time spent with him is one of the many factors in shaping my heart for this life.
I began to occasionally let my mind wander, and allow myself to even think about the possibility. I really didn’t ever think about the exact motivations, though…just that I had fun doing this with Gray, and I loved the family dynamics of those I knew who lived this way. I still, though, struggled with all the doubts and concerns…but quickly dismissed the serious thinking.
So when the blog became a business and my job was part of our income, and we had another baby, and the time came for K-4, off to school Grayson went. He had been in mother’s day out programs since he was 18 months old, by the way. This was his first time going all five days a week, and I really struggled.
I don’t mean like, “aw, my baby’s off to school and I’m sad this week about it.” It was hard, and now I know it’s simply because this, what we’re doing now, is what I was always supposed to do…for now.
I tried to get very excited about school and involved and send snacks and all of the above. I adored Grayson’s teacher, Miss Cindy. She was everything a teacher should be, and I will forever be grateful. We were, though, not happy with other things. This is a delicate matter, laying our hearts out there, so I will try to treat it as such.
After a month or so (when I finally pulled myself together and began enjoying my alone time during the day), Grayson began to act strangely. He would get in the car (four years old, mind you) after school, and when I would ask how the day was, he would just shrug, “ok.” He began staring out the window, struggling with anger, and crying sometimes for no reason. At first I thought it was just adjustment, but then I realized…he wasn’t happy. At all.
I started asking questions about his day, and turns out, he was dealing with a lot of bullying…now, I realize he did his fair share, too, but when he started quietly tearing up at the dinner table and saying things like, “I know I’m not cool, mom. I know that i’m not a good boy. Everyone else knows, and I do, too…” and becoming distant and disinterested in fun school activities, major red flags started waving.
We talked with his teacher, and she said he was a normal busy little boy, who didn’t want to sit still or raise his hand, but it was all normal behavior. I won’t go into too much detail, but we didn’t have pleasant talks with other staff. We wanted to help, to see what we could do to reinforce discipline and yet, encourage him. Nonetheless, things there began to feel foreign, and just not right. We felt like we just didn’t belong there…for now. I can tell you things that would make even the most lackadaisical mama fighting mad–like him being made to run the football stadium stairs with the football team as a disciplinary action, but honestly, it really wasn’t about that stuff at all. The school or administration isn’t bad, but it wasn’t working for us.
Bottom line: homeschooling was a calling for me. That may sound cheesy or silly or too Jesus-y, but it’s the honest truth. Something felt off about our life then. Not everyone feels this way, but because we had opened an online store and the internet never sleeps, my jobs were never done at 3 p.m. or even 5. I felt like all my time with them was spent carting them to and from school, and trying to build Gray back up…all the while working when they were home.
I began in the spring to feel that the once gentle tugging that this wasn’t working had turned more like violent slapping against my forehead. I began thinking about the life I wanted, what I wanted our days to look like.
I pictured our kids enjoying us, not because we want to smother them, but because we want them to experience everything in the right time. We want to bring them more life, not hide them from the world. We wanted to be able to train their little minds as we went along. We wanted to travel, and for heaven’s sakes, I wanted to feel like I could work at 7 p.m., and not feel like I barely said hello to them that day.
I pictured learning with them, and knowing it was going to take a whole LOT of Grace to get me through. I pictured them one day maybe becoming graphic and interior designers or a business man or a marketing guru (here’s hoping, right?) and wanting to work alongside their mom and dad. I pictured teaching them life lessons…now, not when they’re 15, but now, each day. I pictured less video games and tv and more play. I pictured a lot of Love. I pictured children who were motivated, driven, passionate, and urged to follow their dreams. I pictured a full life, but a simple life.
I struggled, though.
Would they be socialized? Did he need to be around 4o other kids every single day? Why did I feel this way when so many around me didn’t seem to at all? Was I some weird smothering mama who wanted to lock her kids in the basement? Would I miss things like plays and Thanksgiving feast day and report cards and honor roll? What about sports? Would they play? Would they be missing out on cafeteria food? Would they grow up being looked at as “weird” or “unsocialized” for every mistake they make? Would I be able to teach what they needed to learn?
Last summer, though, after having surgery and winding up in the hospital afterwards, I had some time to ponder. One morning on our following beach vacation, at 4:30 a.m., I wrote a manifesto if you will, an unpretentious declaration of what I wanted and what I was scared of. I laid it all out there, not being afraid for being too quacky or too unfaithful to voice my concerns.
My husband, who had been really skeptical, read it, and without hesitation he said, “Why not? This sounds wonderful to me, and if this choice helps us pursue this life…then why not try?”
And I wept. For the life we were leaving behind and for the freedom to lead a new one.
I wept for my own insecurities and fears and my crazy-supportive husband, but mostly, I wept tears of joy and vowed I would never again knowingly put my children in a situation they weren’t thriving in because it was the “normal thing to do.”
Looking back, it was the best thing that ever happened to our family. We share so much with our kids, and I love that about our life. I recognize, though, that families doing the “norm” do this all the time. There is no perfect way to raise a family, and really, we never made this decision planning for permanence or thinking everyone else should do the same. For now, it feels right and the kids are thriving. This is a per-family, per-year thing…so as with everything else in my life, I fully accept I have no idea what I’m talking about half the time. There are plenty of struggles, and don’t worry, I’ll lay more of those out there, too.
Gray still struggles with anger and frustration and being too rough and selfishness and Ava still throws fits and screams too much and is a shade too entitled. They will struggle with those things in traditional school or at home. Now, though, I feel like I get to hear from them more, and find out why they are frustrated or angry.
This journey is teaching me so much about how much I lack, and how little life has to do with how “good I am” or how “patient I can be.” That’s why when other moms say, “Oh, I could never do that…I’m not patient enough,” I’m quietly cracking up. Well, join the club, sister. Neither am I. #hotmess
So that’s our story, our why. I want to tell you some specific things we wanted for our learning together and how we addressed certain concerns and insecurities. I’ll save that for another day, though, as I know you can’t help but be glazing over at this point.
Sending love to you and your little people today, friends. Hope you have an incredibly blessed day, fully thriving in your normal.
P.S. If you want to read more of our homeschooling posts, you can check out these links below:
On Self Doubt, Balance, & Choosing Your Normal
What I don’t do: Confessions of a blogger, shop owner, & homeschooling mama
Homeschooling This Year (2013)
I really like hearing about different perspectives for why to homeschool, especially from moms who seem WAY too busy to do it! We are years off from even having children, but I want to be prepared when the time comes. Running stairs hardly seems like an appropriate punishment for an elementary age child, or something a public school should be allowed to do?? And although I love the South for its food, faith and family oriented way of life- the public schools do not test well down here. I think you’re making a great decision, and it’s smart to take it year by year .Hooray!
Thanks for posting this! I have a 19-month old and we’ve been starting to look into preschools (probably a couple days of school and the rest of the time I’ll be teaching her at home). I’m sure we’ll have to play it by ear as she grows but all the positive feedback about homeschooling that I’ve been reading makes me definitely consider it as an option in a few years. My concern would be that my daughter is so active, she literally bounces off the walls at home unless I tire her out at the playground with other kids. How do you keep your son interested and occupied throughout the day when you don’t have formal lessons? Is he good at playing by himself?
Hey Camilla! That’s a really great question…and something I was worried about before, too. Well, here’s the thing…Gray is really self-entertaining. He plays with legos for hours on end and can occupy himself all day. BUT, my 4 year old daughter? Not so much. Not only is she bouncing off the walls, but she causes him to get pretty distracted, too. We do a few things to help: 1. They play all day together. Right, wrong, good, bad..they are playing. (P.S. this is also a bonus for so many teaching moments on how to treat others) 2. We have a short trampoline out back and I just send them on out back. There’s a lot of “go on, get outside” happening. 🙂 3. Two days a week they have a friend come over with his mom and play ALL day with school in the afternoon. They also play soccer, and have friends at church…so plenty of play. 3. They have some responsibilities throughout the day that keep them busy on and off. 4. They help me work. We try to involve them in projects as much as we can…even if it means vaccuming dust while Matt’s in the garage cooking up dust, lol. They go with me to the shop and count paint cans and unpack pinecones, etc. It’s really sweet and nice to have them along with our day, so that helps.
Hope that helps answer your question some! It’s a daily process and some days look better than others. We just try to take it one day at a time.
🙂
shaunna
Oh Shaunna…I am sitting here in tears and just want to reach through this computer and give you the biggest hug. Gray is so so lucky to have you as his mommy and thank you for sharing your heart. I went through a similar decision early this year (changing schools…doing something not seen as “normal”) and all the emotions involved were exhausting, but I felt exactly.like.you.said. Foreign…things started feeling so foreign. We made a tough decision and here we are now so incredibly thankful that we stood our ground and followed our hearts and guts. We have a child who is thriving because of it. So much love to you mama! You are doing such an incredible job!
Oh, thank you, friend. And good for y’all….really, we’re all in the same boat, homeschooling or not. It’s all about what’s right for your family, and guiding them and caring for them in ways they need…not what everyone needs them to need. I’m confusing myself now, lol. Anyway, thank you for sharing and for your sweet comments!!
🙂
shaunna
AMEN! I feel exactly the same. Never thought I would homeschool. Now I am. Definitely feel like it is a calling and feel cheesy saying it. Not sure what the future holds but it is just right for now. Thank you for sharing.
Best of luck to you, Jodi! I’m so glad you commented…and best to you in all you guys do this year!!
🙂
shaunna
Shauna, my dearest,
I have wanted to respond so many times; I love reading your posts. But today’s topic is, as you know, so dear to my heart. Speaking “from the other side” I want you to know that you will never, never regret the time you spend now with your kiddoes You are so articulate in how you came to homeschooling ; I love reading it! But in all your homeschooling posts, you are taking it so sensibly and letting your homeschooling be just that….yours! Not someone else’s. You know your kiddoes better than anyone else and as you may know, God has created you and Matt the perfect parents for THEM. It totally blesses my heart to see the unique face of homeschooling that is the West homeschool. Keep loving it and all your days for all their worth!
Well, Mrs. Eileen…what a blessing your comment is to me this afternoon. I think of you often as Lisa and I chat about our homeschooling heroes, and I often wonder if I should just call you up sometime…so I just may! Thank you for the influence you have been on her, and in turn, on me as well. And thank you for pointing us back to the place we should have our eyes fixed upon…such an encouragement!
🙂
shaunna
I would adore it if you called me sometime! Through your sweet open-ness here on your blog, I feel I’ve gotten to know you 🙂
I never thought I’d homeschool, but we did. (Hardest decision ever!) Once our eldest started kindergarten I thought, “If we can just make it through elementary school that will be quite an accomplishment….and probably enough. Boy, did I underestimate the joys of homeschooling!
Fast forward the years. We now have two college graduates, one attending college full-time during her senior year of high school, and one ninth grader.
Yes, they got a good education, but what I appreciate the most are the benefits to their character and our family relationships. Worth every minute.
Do I think homeschooling is for everyone? Nope. But it’s a journey I wouldn’t have traded for anything. Enjoy the ride!
Thanks for your honesty. Our son just transitioned to pre-school and I totally related to what you said about picking up Gray and just knowing something was off. Lots to think about! Best of luck to you and your family : ]
Loved, loved, loved your story and thank you for sharing such a personal decision. I began homeschooling a year ago, my daughter is special needs and the traditional method of school just wasn’t working anymore. No one really understood it, but I knew this was the right decision for her. I have never looked back and love it, love it, love it!!
I think it takes a lot of guts to homeschool a child. I’m not sure I have those guts. Do you feel like your kids miss out on in-school activities much?
Hey Brian,
You know, I always worried about that. It is scary at first, but really, before you know it, they are involved in so many things and have so many experiences because they’re at home. Like I mentioned to Camilla, our kids are involved in soccer, church group, we travel all the time, work at the shop with us, have friends over, and we “field trip” quite often. They’re studying on the computer, too, so they get some pretty cool learning experiences and I try to do as many experiments and hands-on lessons as possible. Anyway, for now, they seem really happy with it. In fact, last year I remember being so freaked out and scared that I kept asking if they wanted to go back, and they would just say, “no way, i love school here.” So, we’re going with it. Hope that helps!
🙂
shaunna
We are in our 8th year of homeschooling. We made the decision to pull our daughter out of public school after 1st grade for similar reasons you’ve outlined and haven’t regretted it one bit. For the first few years I kept telling myself it was a “year by year” decision. Now that she is in high school we’ve made it a family decision, and she says she has no desire to go to public school. Best wishes on your family’s journey!
Thanks for this post. I am in my first year of homeschooling so I enjoy reading other’s experiences! I had always felt an urge to homeschool, but being a work from home mama I thought that I needed that time during the day to actually work! 🙂 My daughter went to preschool last year because everyone thought she ‘should.’ September went well…October was ok…but by November she was clinging to me every Tuesday/Thursday, crying for me not to leave her, but unable to tell me why she was so upset. I knew the day I pulled her out that we were going to be a homeschooling family and I have not looked back.
I really enjoy reading your posts, thank you for sharing! I love seeing how much homeschooling has grown over the years. I was homeschooled grades 8-12. We were only going to try homeschooling for one year, as we were moving in the middle of that school year, and thought it would be best for that. We all ended up loving it so much we never went back to public school. I became closer to my family, I felt I got to know myself better, and had more freedom to be myself in peace, and clarity to focus on important things I had never really had time to notice before. My whole family grew a lot through homeschooling. I am so grateful for those years. I am now homeschooling my own two children, and my sister has also homeschooled her own children, who are now almost grown. I remember when we first started homeschooling 22 years ago, it was a more rare and new thing, We only had one small homeschool group in our area. Today, we now have several large groups in our area. With all the tremendous resources and support out there, it is very exciting for me to see. Best of luck to you on your homeschooling journey! It sounds like you are doing a wonderful job. 🙂
Kimberlee
Good for you! I love how you have told of your journey. It is inspiring!
Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. It takes determination, and sacrificial commitment, and faith. But you will never regret your decision. Nor will your children.
And you will continue to learn and be taught in ways you never expected.
God has used homeschooling to show me my selfishness and weakness. And to grow me closer to Him. To trust Him with my children’s lives, above and beyond my own weaknesses…. or strengths.
And for me, far more important that teaching them to read, or where Oceania is, or Geometry, or Physics, or the Constitution, is the way God has blessed our relationships. Mine with them. Theirs with each other.
It’s in the way my 17 year old son wraps his arms around me every day and says, “I love you, Mom”, and excitedly tells me exactly why he thinks Bobcats are so fine. And the way my 15 year old daughter tells me I am her best friend, and leaves me love letters on my pillow. And in my 13 year old daughter’s sweet insistence that we eat breakfast together every day, and how she does things (like trying to make my bed before I can) simply to please me. I could go on and on! But I’ll stop. (I have 7 kids so it could take a while)
My children don’t love me because I’m wonderful or lovable. I’m not. They love me because they know I love them.
And homeschooling is a large part of how they know this.
Homeschooling *is* a calling! And there’s nothing cheesy about it. 🙂
So keep on keeping on! You, and your children, will never regret it. For sure.
In Him,
Kelly
Congrat to you, Shauna, for standing firm for your children. We homeschool our 5 children and had a similar experience while in college as well that really confirmed our desire to give our children better than the “normal” life my husband and I grew up in. It is a challenge every day, especially as they get older, but I am seeing such a pay-off even now that I know I am following God’s call for me to be my children’s mother, teacher, care-giver…you name it! Keep up the good work and know God is with you!
Congrats to you, Shauna, for standing firm for your children. We homeschool our 5 children and had a similar experience while in college as well that really confirmed our desire to give our children better than the “normal” life my husband and I grew up in. It is a challenge every day, especially as they get older, but I am seeing such a pay-off even now that I know I am following God’s call for me to be my children’s mother, teacher, care-giver…you name it! Keep up the good work and know God is with you!
Congrats to you, Shaunna, for standing firm for your children. We homeschool our 5 children and had a similar experience while in college as well that really confirmed our desire to give our children better than the “normal” life my husband and I grew up in. We go against how our parents raised us (we’re sort of the white sheep in a black flock), but know we are making a mark in eternity. It is a challenge every day, especially as they get older, but I am seeing such a pay-off even now that I know I am following God’s call for me to be my children’s mother, teacher, care-giver…you name it! Keep up the good work and know God is with you!
This was so good to read. This is my second year homeschooling my two boys. I love it so much and beyond grateful to walk this journey. I have struggled with similar thoughts and fears and its so reassuring to read all that you wrote! I also have a business with a friend where we redo furniture and I love reading about the balance you strive for with your business and your homeschooling. You are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your beautiful journey!!
I have been teaching art appreciation to a home school group and it has been fascinating to see what opportunities the kids have, and what they’ve given up. I must say, after being a public school teacher for 4 years after college, it is a piece of cake to only have 12 kids in my class. (I go on their co-op day and teach several family’s kids) And I like that they aren’t afraid to ask questions or tell me what they know. It has been a broadening experience for me, and something I never thought I’d consider. But my youngest is showing signs of dyslexia and ADD and I am wondering how she will make it through the aggressively paced school system we live in with her self esteem in tact. Who knows? Maybe home school is in my future too. Or not. But I’ll leave that to the Lord to decide.
The Other Marian
Bravo! Following the crowd isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I was the one of all my friends who didn’t homeschool. We stayed in private school far too long. It was a good school, but we saw signs long before we ” got it’ that is was time for a big change. A homeschool change. Mind you we have 5 kids under 10, I didn’t jump lightly.God brought my hubby and I to the same conclusion over time, I was first. It took him more time. I had a ton of support, veteran homeschool moms with 8 kids to help me. We meet once a month for support and it’s great. We do field trips and play dates.These kids are testing out beyond public school, well mannered, educated in lots more than just academics and sports. Like character! NO one has perfect kids mind you. Your kids won’t be perfect, They area human. Jesus dies because we are all sinners. So homeschooling doesn’t mean perfection, but we can get a handle on character before it gets out of hand at school and it’s much easier to protect their little eyes and ears homeschooling. So get good support. Don’t doubt, You have your hubby behind you so that is 99% of your success. I find if we are in the Word first thing and pray as a family our day goes more smoothly. Now with all this My hope is that my kids can grow up to be as they are suppose to be not in competition with the class set at a pace that is obnoxious and that they won’t say things like,” I am the dumbest kid in my class.”
I loved reading this. I never thought *I* would homeschool. I actually thought my kids would attend a Christian school but we felt led for them to attend a private school instead. I knew it was time for us to leave for several reasons but didn’t know what to do. I felt the Lord wanted me to homeschool. I knew my husband was against it (mainly the socialization and sports reasons which we learned SO MUCH about later). I prayed and struggled and when I finally gave in, I had so much peace. I had to get my husband on board but after he prayed about it and agreed we could try a year to see how it goes, he now really likes it. We have evenings together as a family whereas before it was pretty stressful to fit everything in. We started our second year and my kids are in 6th and 8th grade. People ask if I’ll homeschool through high school and my answer is I’ll continue what I’m doing until I feel the Lord leads me elsewhere. Glad I found your blog. I was following you on Pinterest but never read any of your blog posts. 🙂
Thank you for putting this out there. I don’t reply much to blogs, I am very quiet and very private, but wanted to chime in here.
I did not home school my two boys. I wished I had. We did everything we could to be part of their lives, but I feel we missed so much by not making all of us more a part of what “our lives” could have been. I did not work during their growing up years mostly so I could be at school and could be at home when they were home. That worked but I feel it could have been better if they had been home schooled.
I could share more, but rather I would like to encourage you to be who you are, who your family needs to be. Your decisions might change, your life might take different directions, but you will know how to change, we call it being Semper Gumby; always flexible. You know who makes your path straight, rely on Him.
Best wishes
Jan
Thanks so much for your post! My daughter is 2.5 and my son is 1.5, and we’ve just started to do some preschooling at home. Some days it works, other days not so much. But I have found the more time I spend playing with my children, the better our days go and the more balanced we all are. While we’re still a couple years away from “real” school, I have toyed with the idea of homeschooling, and I’ve shoved that idea in a drawer because a. I don’t know that I could spend all day every day with my kids and fulfill their intellectual and emotional growth needs without a weekly breakdown, and b. our schools our FABULOUS! But I’m just not sure that’s were I want them to be… with all the bullying and need to please and get straight a’s etc. Your post was eye opening, heartfelt, and downright encouraging! Sometimes school doesn’t need to take place in a building, especially since most of our important life lessons are learned outside of those buildings. Thanks for sharing your insights! You’re an inspiration to so many moms who wonder if there could be a better way!
Tears! You have captured the heart of many moms so instinctively. I schooled my kids at home for several years. My son, as yours, just couldn’t handle sitting still. I found I could accomplish in two hours what at school would take over 6. I was not great at it, it was really, really hard, but I don’t regret it either. He loved spending a part of each day jumping on the trampoline, splashing in puddles, building forts, fishing in our creek, climbing trees, swimming and playing with Legos. Childhood is short, revel in being a mom!!!
You just blessed my entire soul. Thank you, sister, for sharing. 🙂
Shaunna, Blessings sent your way as you start your homeschool journey. I home educated my oldest son grades 5-12 and my youngest (currently in 10th grade) has always homeschooled. I can’t say it has always been easy but I wouldn’t have traded the precious time I’be been able to spend with them. God bless you and your family.
I realize I’m way late to this post. I just found it after searching for blogs about chalk paint.
I LOVE this. Let me jump on the “cheesy” train and say I cannot tell you what this post did for my heart.
You have voiced your convictions and motives without sounding condescending or aloof. You said it beautifully and your heart came across – and it resonated.
So far, my husband and I only have a 2yr. old daughter. Our ideas of the family life, childhood and foundation we want to give her (and future children) have called us already to some choices much like the ones you talk about.
We have discussed homeschooling and it’s amazing to see the seeds God planted in both of us long before we even met. That decision hasn’t been made yet, since she is only two, but we are basically homeschooling preschool right now, which goes much against the “send her to daycare so she’ll be normal” grain in the small town where we live.
I have been surprised at the pressure we feel already (she’s only 2!), when we choose not to do some things that are seen as “the ‘normal thing to do.'” Simply saying, “this is what parents do when their children turn 2, 3, 4, 5…” is not compelling enough for me to act. I want to know that is what we have been called to do with our child. In this time and this place.
I want our family to be a family above all else. Where our children feel safe with us and each other, where they are honored and honoring, where they love deeply because they are loved deeply, where they can learn to model Jesus at home, so they can model him to the world. That is foundational and from there, we can layer in other “stuff.” Sports, friends, school, etc. But I never want to lose sight of our family for the sake of activities.
THANK YOU for writing a gracious, encouraging blog about your thoughts and decisions regarding homeschooling. It is so much appreciated.
This is such a sweet post. We started homeschooling 11 years ago and my daughter is in her senior year and my son a freshman! I can’t believe how fast it’s flown. We started because of concerns for her education at the charter academy she went to. It is so good for many, but not for her. I wondered what in the world I was thinking but now I look back and see how God orchestrated it all. I LOVE the relationship my kids have, they are truly best friends and I love how close we are as a family. Not perfect for sure but love being together. It gets even better when they’re teenagers! We did year to year too…and now here we are in my daughters last year. Blessings in your journey. Enjoy every moment, even the hard ones!
I loved reading this post. My daughter went to “regular” school until through 2nd/3rd grade. I use the double grades because she started her last year in second grade and was moved up a grade in the middle of the year. I did not agree with this, as my daughter does not handle stress well. (She was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome later that year.) Despite the fact that I was very opposed to it, the principal made the decision to go ahead with the move. (I discovered that, in public school, your child is not really YOUR child.)
Alas, she was moved to her new class during Christmas break. The bullying started almost immediately. I will never understand why being smart makes a child a target, but it does. I spent the remainder of that year on the phone with her new teacher, then with the principal, then with the superintendent. It culminated with my daughter being sent to a therapist because, of course, there must be something wrong with her if she is getting bullied. I am glad we were sent to therapy, though, because I love her psychologist. It was she who helped me decide to homeschool. It also helped having a professional backing me up when my family (even our pastor) expressed concern about homeschooling. My daughter flourished in homeschool, though.
She is now in sixth grade (well, she does 8th grade level work in reading/grammar and 5th grade level math). She is happy, well-adjusted, and SOCIABLE. If you know anything about Asperger’s, this is a big deal! She still has to step away from time to time when certain things over stimulate her senses (such as loud music or bright lights) but she now deals with these times admirably. She is very involved in her girl scouts troop and our church. She was even chosen to join the adult choir and has performed several solos.
There will, of course, always be naysayers and critics of my decision but I have not regretted it at all. She may decide she wants to return to a “normal” school in a few years (or she may not). Nonetheless, it will be a decision that we’ll make together. At least now, the decision is ours to make.
Shaunna, great blog!! thanks for sharing your homeschooling experience with us it’s just amazing.
I am Ashley Wright a mother of two children and I have been homeschooling them for past 8 years and it’s been amazing experience while homeschooling. I went through a lot of ups and downs at the start of the homeschooling process., but as the time went it was just a beautiful journey altogether. I sometimes think of starting it all over again from starting.
Thanks, Shaunna!! for sharing such a wonderful blog. Blessing for you for starting homeschooling, I have two children elder son is in grade 8 and younger is in grade5. I started homeschooling my children because there was a problem with my elder son in public school, he used to be bullied a lot, so I planned to homeschool my children and they both are doing well and I am very proud of them. My elder son has also started Online schooling which is also being good so far and his performance is great.
Keep writing such great blog which will help all the new homeschoolers and those who are facing problems in homeschooling.