As most of you know we have decided to home-school McKenna this year (we meaning Michael, McKenna, and I). I have had alot of mixed reactions! From being super supportive to questioning my very sanity. The funny thing is that most of the more negative reactions all stem from the question of what this will do to her "social" skills. I am not going to say I am not a little worried but there is not much of an argument here. There are just as many socially awkward people in the public school system as there are in the homeschooling system. We live in an awesome area with plenty of opportunities for McKenna to be with peers her own age. So I am hopeful that she will turn out "socially" normal :) Whatever that is.
McKenna has done great in the public school system. Met great friends, excelled in her academics, learned to stand up for herself, suffered the consequences in following the crowd, and really had an overall positive experience as have we.
So why on earth the decision to home school? It really is simple. A prayer was given and an answer was received. There have been many times that I have felt gentle promptings to do certain things. Whether it be to teach something this way or discipline that way. I have never felt so guided with respect to any of my concerns as a Mom. Home schooling was the last thing I would of guessed I would ever do. The prompting to do so was more like a ton a bricks rather then a gentle whisper. Simple as that.
Simple to understand not so simple to follow through on! I am nervous. Will I be enough? Will we love each other at the end of the day? Will she feel sad when her friends go off to school for the day and she is stuck home with me? So many questions running through my mind. I am also very excited to spend time with her, to learn with her and to watch her grow. She is such a fun little person and I am excited to just be with her more.
McKenna is really excited as well. We asked her in the beginning her thoughts on staying home and learning with me. Honestly, I am not sure how I would of responded if she would of told us "no" but she didn't and has been on board this whole time. So very grateful for that. She did have a few requests in her upcoming curriculum. Spanish and learning how to write in cursive. So if you come to our house and see Spanish word strips everywhere and a floor that needs to be vacuumed dont be surprised.
Confident that this 1st homeschooling year will be an interesting one. Excited and anxious to see it unfold.
6 comments:
Good luck with home schooling! It's a huge task, but I know lots of people that have an even better relationship with their children because of home schooling!
Just don't forget to include Grandma when it's time for a feild trip. You'll do great!
As a parent it is our job to be our child's advocate, whether that is at the doctors office, church or school. Each of us receives inspiration regarding our children and it is our responsibility to act on it. What works for one child may not work for another and visa versa. You are doing what you need to do right now for McKenna. That is awesome! Good luck. There are so many resources for you online and else where. You will do great.
Wow lady--you are one brave woman! On many accounts, mainly that you are willing to listening to a prompting, and go with it. Although, I did see your facebook news about the broken bone... (I'll be waiting for THAT post!) I am with you on wanting the most for your kids in regards to their education. And I agree with what Kerri said about being your childs advocate. You will do awesome! Be sure to keep us posted. :)
"A prayer was given and an answer was received." Thanks for being such a great example. Your definitely stripling warrior mother material!
I can ditto all of your sentiments. I hope you're having a great time with school. Thanks for the tip in your comment, it's good to have friends venturing into the same sort of crazy as me. It feels pretty good, doesn't it?
I got thrown off a little looking through your pictures because Raigynn looks exactly like McKenna did when she was little! Your girls are so adorable, they're so sweet and smiley!
I'm running a half marathon in 2013, probably in Logan. And that'll probably be the only reason I'll reactivate my facebook account (it was a big distraction for me), so I can recruit friends to run it with me. That'll be the summer we celebrate Kent being finito with his residency. Course, that means this baby's got to be a boy so I can be done and move on with all my grand plans :) We'll see!!
I'm thinking we could really use a chat cause I've got more where that came from!
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