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.