Homeschooling Hillbillies????

Update:

When we first had kids I always thought that school ways eons away.

When we hit the preschool years I felt fear, joy and relief as my little one confidently forged her way into the world, making decisions and friendship, learning sharing, disappointments and other (all be it sad at times) valuable social skills.

I petitioned her for homeschooling as we approached the kindergarten years and she adamantly refused.

I was eager to find like minded people and form a co-operative of sorts with many kids learning in a loving comfortable manner from many people in many aspects of life.

K wanted no part of that idea.

As she went to kindergarten she dismissed me and brushed me off from day one, and I took that as a good sign of her confidence and eagerness for school.

We often laughed that she was resistant to me teaching her and she agreed starting that moms are moms and teachers are teachers.

That was then.....

Over the weekend, being removed from the situation at home, we were able to relax and gain a grasp at the task before us.

This left me with so many questions and a long list of pros and cons.

I believe in the virtues of homeschooling, unschoolingand/or deschooling, however you'd like to call it, but is it the right move right now?

What does this do for K's ability to overcome life's' situations that are challenging and stressful?Does this allow her to negate her responsibilities and throw up her hands easily?

Isn't it our job to be sure that she makes the best decisions in life?

She is just 6 and I wonder if she has that capability of knowing the full ramifications of such a decision, both positive and negative.

That is why as parents we are desperately trying to answer these pressing questions in order to make some peace around here with a solid plan and strong forward determination whichever way we proceed.

So the pros of such a life changing idea?

-As I see it there are many but the togetherness and wholesomeness is the biggest factor.

What else in life can create a well rounded, confident, curious and strong minded children as love and nurturing in all applications that homeschooling allows?

-more one on one

-teaching both kids together

-getting to know a whole new community within our community

-planning events and trips without the restrictions of a school schedule

-teaching her in a style that suits her best, knowing how she learns and working with it

-teaching her about so many new things and learning in the process with fun

-playing to learn, guilt free, and knowing it is building a strong bond, encouraging her strengths

-allowing rest when needed and being at our pace for structure and learning

-reading endlessly at night without worrying about getting up at 6:30 (7:30 is just fine)

....just to name a few.

But as devils advocate, J's primary roll in this at this point

Some of the cons in this matter, and my fears

-she'll think home is for fun only

-she won't take my instruction

-how can she learn to sit and have structure if she isn't used to doing it, in the real world

-her sister will hamper the process for her through distraction in our small space

-losing many of her friends and acquaintances at school

-not getting the curriculum necessary

-not having music and P.E.

-it all hangs on me, especially since J is in camp

-afraid it may not get done right

-how do I know what to teach, what is right, what is proper?

-having less "me" time

I know many of these are easily rectified and quickly resolved but my head is spinning around with so many thoughts.

Oddly though, I am quite at peace with the idea.

I know I can do it, I know I want to.

I believe that in life you will always get what you want, not always when you thought but none the less it will come to you.

I think this has happened for a reason.

When I heard K screaming in her sleep that she doesn't want to go to school and crying and moaning as we cuddles her, I knew that deep down she is hurting and as a parent you strive to take away the hurt.

This is the answer we see best at this time.

So we have opened the door and are starting the process to homeschooling, with the understanding that public schooling will always be an option.

Welcome to my new role as a homeschooling Hill Billy Jilly.