Today was my run-around errand day. Today was also Leah Batya’s day with her grandmother.
I’m very fortunate my parents only live 40 min away, and are always so helpful and supportive. Being that we homeschool our daughter – my mom volunteered to have a once-a-week playdate.
But of course, being my mom, she takes it a step further.
She planned a whole day with her that includes a fun art project based on the Chumash (bible) portion we are studying that week. Did I mention how lucky I am!!!
When we first decided to homeschool, it was quite by accident. We were very unhappy with our daughter’s education and school. She was so unhappy going to school every day, and we felt that the environment wasn’t great. When we first pulled her out, in middle of the school year, my husband and I were upset.
At that time our focus was on how upset we felt, how the school had mistreated our child, how could this happen in private school – and the list goes on. We picked up (thankfully my job is amazingly flexible like that – my phone is my work) and went to visit my grandparents in the sunshine state. It was a really nice getaway, but I felt edgy while we were there. I was anxious to go home and figure out what our long term educational solution would be.
I was overwhelmed at times, resigned at others.
Over the past month, I’ve connected with other moms who have helped me figure out what the next step should be. The past month flew by in a blur.
I was overwhelmed at times, resigned at others and then I started reading. For me, reading is a passion and not a chore. I started blogs and Facebook groups and I picked up about 15 books from the library. If there is knowledge I need – I figured it would be somewhere there.
Right now I’m reading this book “The Homeschooling Handbook” by Lorliee Lippincott. What I’m loving about her book, is the ease of the read. I feel like Lorilee and I are having a conversation, and she’s easing me through what I need to know and simplifying how to look at things.
It’s so easy to get caught up in what a perfect home, marriage, child, spouse, etc. looks like. I’m learning to go more with the flow. A month ago – my vision of what homeschooling was supposed to look like was my kid would sit at attention while I taught. I’m not sure why that was part of my perfect image being that I’ve taught in my past, for like 10 years, and know better than that. But my vision shifted quickly.
What I love about homeschooling (so far - and I'll keep updating):
- My daughter is so much more relaxed. I’m not, but I’m a work in progress.
- Learning is done everywhere. When she was in school, I kind of left her education up to the school, because she was done by the time she got home. Now, it’s infinite. When we go out to eat, we play matching or Go Fish with a homemade card deck of the letters. When we go shopping, my daughter is reading all the signs.
- We love to travel. Previously, I was worried about how much school Leah Batya would miss, but now it comes with us!
- My husband has jumped in and is spending more time with my daughter and learning with her – in such fun ways!
All in all, only being a month in, so far so good! <3
In Health,
Zelda
