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Monday, August 26, 2013

meet the teacher.

Holden starts Kindergarten this week. And check out his cool teacher.
That's right. We are homeschooling. I do not yet know for how long...if we'll do this for one year, through the elementary years or even through high school. Jeremy and I feel comfortable to committing to one year at a time and going from there. So for this year, we will be schooling it up around the kitchen table. Pax is eager to participate and I have no problem with him naturally getting a head start on things as we do this as a family.
I realize now that there is a lot of competition academically and it starts before kids ever get in school. I find it completely ridiculous yet I still struggle to not get sucked into it all. Back in my elementary years, we didn't begin to learn to read until 2nd grade and now it is expected so much earlier. I'm trying to surround myself with those moms that are a good reminder to me of why we are really choosing to homeschool. Which has very little to do with academics. And I'm trying to block out the hundreds of voices that make it all a competition for whose kid has the highest IQ.
I realized this weekend that Holden is reading very well. Because of his love for reading and books, this summer Jeremy started going through a reading lesson book that had been recommended to us. They are now halfway through the book and Holden has picked up on the skill of reading quite nicely. I don't think this is us being pulled into the academic competition. But instead, offering him a skill that we knew he would love and would open up so many doors to learning, imagination and entertainment. And obviously, it has become very natural for him. I'm very proud of him for his work in learning to read.
I feel like most often through parenting Jeremy and I are constantly having to evaluate the norm for our cultural and society. Then compare that norm to what is in God's word. And then determine what is best for our family. So far Santa and our means to educate our children have redirected us from the cultural norm. Both are personal decisions that I don't believe have a right or wrong answer. But sometimes you just know what is right for your family. And right now, we just know that this is the right direction for us at this time. I'm pretty sure no one ever would have pegged me to homeschool. Of all people. Not I. Years ago I never would have imagined myself to go this route. Then in 2008, we had a sweet baby boy and everything changed. In many ways I feel inadequate for this job. But God has been confirming often to me that we are right where we need to do be. And that for now, our children should be home with us. Inadequate as I may be, He is not. So I'm confident he'll use me, as messed up as I am, to teach and train my boys this year. And you know, I am so excited to begin the adventure. Anxious. A little nervous. But excited to be doing exactly what God is asking of me.

5 comments:

~The Neaves Nest~ said...

I'm excited for you! I think you will be an amazing teacher to your boys. Good luck tomorrow!:)

bsjones7 said...

That is awesome! You at right on in that God will provide you what you need. We have made the same decision. Hardest thing I have ever done. BUT so very worth it for us! Good luck when you begin:) we started week 4 today!

The Skains Family said...

Yay! I'm happy to be on this journey with you friend! Who better to teach those boys than the mommy that loves them the most. Excited for you guys!

The Mommy said...

I'm homeschooling Carsten for kindergarten this year too. We did preschool last year and loved it.

Unknown said...

That's great, Melodie! My advice to you is to find a support group in your area where you can make friends with the parents and the kids can make friends with other homeschoolers. It doesn't have to be something you commit a lot of time or effort to, but hopefully they would have an email loop so that there is always that network and that help there if and when you need it. I started homeschooling my first in kindergarten but did not have a group. We were doing the academic thing but did not have any connections. We put her into school halfway through the year because we moved and I felt I was short-changing her (getting distracted by all the unpacking), which was kind of silly because she was way ahead in all her academic skills. All she needed were some friends to play with! We spent a couple years with her in public school, and then restarted homeschooling when she was in 3rd and her brother was in K. By then, I had met friends at church who homeschooled and I knew there was a support group who got together for park days and such in the area. It made ALL the difference. Now I cannot imagine life without my network, and they are some of the most important people in my life...and we are talking about dozens of families! I would call them all very important to my homeschooling journey, my kids' growing up, and our whole homeschool experience!

I hope you and your boys have a wonderful year! They look so cute in their pictures! I love your idea of doing the "favorite things" interview!