Choosing Homeschool

For me, one of the hardest parts about being a parent is making decisions for my children that will impact the rest of their lives. One reason it is so hard for me, is I only want the best for them and that is a lot of pressure to put on myself as a parent. The reality is every choice we make has an effect, we just don’t put a lot of extra thought into the “small choices” like choosing their clothing or their meals. Those seem to come naturally. In fact, up until now, making decisions for my daughters has been relatively smooth sailing. Choosing my daughter’s preschool was not even a big stress for me. It felt absolutely right. We love the routine of it. I have enjoyed that decision and have loved watching her grow into a little social butterfly. The end of preschool is near and we are now preparing for the kindergarten adventure. I have so many hopes and fears sometimes its hard to separate the thoughts as they fly through my mind.

The announcement that we are choosing to homeschool this coming year came as a big surprise to our family and friends. Honestly, it was a surprise to me too. If you had asked me a year ago, I would not have admitted that I was considering it. After all, both my husband and I were traditionally educated and don’t have anyone in our circle who was homeschooled. On top of that, we are both classroom teachers! This made the decision seem impossible. Yet, this last one, was the reason we came to the decision to homeschool, we see both sides of the traditional classroom now and for our family this is the right one. In a very short time, not only has our family life changed the world has changed. The school system is not the same as when my husband and I started teaching and it is definitely not the same as when we were students.

It’s okay to change your mind and your opinion

As a type A personality, who plans and researches everything, decisions can be very challenging for me. I always feel this pressure to make the “right” decision. I am learning, slowly, but still learning, that there is not necessarily a single right decision and it is absolutely acceptable to change your mind later. The right decision is the one that works for me, my family, right now. Our decision to homeschool is a very personal one, one that works for our family. Every family has different needs and that’s okay, normal and as it should be! We are not a one size fits all species. Traditional school is wonderful and there are some amazing things happening. Heck, I sure am proud of some of the things I have done in my classroom with my middle school students. This is not a dig against any other form of education, rather it is the opposite. It is embracing that there is more than one path and it is wonderful that we have the choices.

Finding our “why”

Finding/ knowing our “why” wasn’t hard, it was accepting our decision and not worrying about outside influences that was challenging. This was also one of those “before kids” ideals vs “now we have kids” ideals. I remember, before having children of my own, I knew other teachers who homeschooled their children and I was confused by that. If you are a classroom teacher, why don’t you want to send your child to that school? I am sure I will get this same question. As with anything in parenting, its not a simple one, but this is what is in our hearts.

Again, I am learning to accept that we change and evolve as life progresses. I did not have kids with the intention of homeschooling. When my husband and I bought our home, we were excited to talk about the several amazing school options we had close to us. We felt so lucky. Then, three years ago, after my youngest daughter was born we found ourselves in a fortunate enough position to allow me to stay home part time. This gift of being home with my girls has reminded me of what childhood is all about: Play, Exploration and Learning. This time is precious and I want to maximize it as much as possible.

Play and exploration are at the top of my list. Learning happens everywhere. In all my research (and I do a lot of it) one idea stuck out to me. The basic concepts, standards, we learn in the traditional classroom setting are meant to be applied in the “real world”, so can’t we too learn those concepts in the “real world”? My daughter loves organized events, and loves to do the “formal lessons”. And we will do these too! But she loves to imagine, she loves to read books together, she loves to explore outside and bring me treasures and ask every question she can about her findings. Homeschooling this year will give us time together. It allows us to teach our girls in ways that they each learn best. This is my why.

Am I scared? Oh my goodness absolutely! The fear is real! As with anything new there is just so much unknown. Am I making the right decision for her? Am I going to be able to give her the attention she needs? Am I taking something amazing away from her by not sending her to public school? Am I going to be able to keep up with her needs? But without taking the chance, how would we know? Yes, I am absolutely terrified. The excitement then steps back in and the fear takes a step back. I remember my why. Will there be a learning curve? Of course! But that’s a part of learning, an essential part of learning.