What has Homeschooling given Mom?

    So we took a walk on the wild side and decided to homeschool. H is in 4th grade and has public schooled until this year. I've struggled with depression and anxiety since C's life came and went too soon. So I'm sure when my loved ones told me they didn't really agree with us homeschooling they thought I was crazy. We just had M a year ago, and changed our whole routine living out of town, one income, dreaming of selling art. Yea, homeschooling has gotta top the cake... Of disaster.

    What they didn't realize was we had been contemplating this decision for a while. I had read a million reports, so I knew what to expect. J was behind me from the first time I suggested it. I didn't have to convince him. It took me a while to realize I didn't need to convince anyone. I only needed to prepare myself for this new challenge as I accepted it.

    Alright. State requirements. Check. Curriculum ordered. Check. Daily lesson plans. Ummm…

    Yes I read all your blogs about not over planning. About the beauty of being flexible in the homeschool. How you could take a day off if the family schedule needed it. I got in with the local homeschool group, every one was real relaxed. They weren't sweating not having it all planned. I knew that. But I am gonna read the state curriculum anyways... My kid should know certain things this year right?!

    Well I'm an artist, and a procrastinator to boot. So I said we will start slow and I'll get it all planned next week. It did not take long to realize I would not be planning, I mean not a daily plan. Those moms were relaxed because they knew if they got zero done one day, they might get 10X as much done tomorrow.

    So your blogs were right.

    This mom is loving this change in our life. I still don't know if it will be best forever,but this year it is exactly what all of us needed.

    The opportunities are amazing for our kids here. H has been on several field trips. The dinosaur museum, we missed the raspberry farm, swimming, recreation at the park, painting dog houses as a community service project, climbing gym. Those plus regular plays and sports she participates in, she definitely isn't unsocialized.

    If H was in school she wouldn't see M very much everyday. I feel their sister bond wouldn't be the same.

    We get to see her struggle and accomplish. That's just priceless.

    We get to really teach her other life skills she wouldn't learn in school. Our gardening and projects in general are great learning tools and she will need some of them forever. 

    We can follow her interests. So when she gets that spark from something exciting we do it!

    We can push her above her level is some places and hang back in others.

    Our community has really stepped in to help. Even those that didnt necessarily agree at first are seeing it work. They are helping mentor her and teach her things as they do them. Which is one of my favorite parts. 

     I'm enjoying being a homeschool mom a lot! We need this time together as a family right now in life. It's fully requiring both us parents but we each are finding our place with it. All you other bloggers were right. I know I won't get to the end of my life and wish I had spent less time with my kids... So we are learning, living and loving together. 

-A