Here We Go Again

While Jim's mind is preoccupied with building our house, my mind has been wondering what we will do to educate our children once we are in our new house. We will be switching districts once again. Do we send Gracie to her fourth public school since beginning kindergarten, or do we consider homeschooling for the third time? My answer--homeschooling. Why? The short answer is because I'm crazy. The long answer, well, keep reading.

I have always loved schools. There is something magical about a place full of books and learning. I especially love driving up to a school on a dark rainy morning and seeing the lights in the classrooms, watching the teachers and kids safe inside. I must have some good memories revolving around my own rainy day school experiences. As a teacher, I always made sure I let plenty of light and fresh air into my classroom, even during the winter months. But once I had Gracie, somehow I became very anti-public school for my own children.

I am very passionate about education and how children learn. But after spending a few years in the public school system as a teacher, I didn't like what I was seeing as far as national policies. So began my relationship with homeschooling. I call it a relationship because like most relationships, it has had its ups and downs. We tried it twice, but it just wasn't working the way I thought it should be. So we took a break. The girls are now working on their second year in public school, and it has been mostly okay. I have even read Going Public , a book about a Christian family and why they chose public schools over homeschooling. It all made sense, but my desire to homeschool is still stronger than ever.

So here we are. Desire still here. A transition coming. As I look at our relationship with homeschooling, I realize I am mostly at fault for it not working in the past. So if  I want my relationship with homeschooling to go better if we try again, I have to change some things. After much reflecting, the main reason it did not work was lack of a schedule and clear expectations. If, as a family, we come up with a schedule, expectations, and a plan of action if things aren't followed, I think we will have a much better experience! It's all about slowing family life down and using the gifts God's given me as I learn alongside my girls!