From Homeschool To School
This past week has been very busy and filled with exciting new changes. Last Wednesday, Eric and I made the decision to send Isabelle to school this year.
We initially began discussing the possibility at the beginning of summer. We came back to it several times without ever coming to a final conclusion. I began to plan our curriculum for the homeschool year ahead, but for some reason I kept hesitating with actually ordering the supplies.
Then, the day I planned to order (I'd actually begun filling out the order forms online), we reached our decision. That decision is that Isabelle will be attending school this year for fourth grade. And next year, Alex will start kindergarten...Olivia the year after...and Gracie the year after that.
So many things went into our decision and it was not taken lightly by any of us, Isabelle included. We all decided that this was the smartest option for our family.
Homeschooling is wonderful and I will never once regret the years we spent as homeschoolers. Nor will we ever rule out the option of homeschooling again at some point in the future. But as of now, we are focused on doing what's best for our children.
Maybe I'll go into more detail of this decision at some point, or maybe not. It's a very personal and emotional decision.
We are excited to watch Isabelle tackle this new adventure. We know she will do remarkably well and thrive at school.
She'll walk out the door tomorrow armed with school supplies, a new lunchbox filled with healthy and delicious food, a cool new dress and shoes, and the knowledge that her parents are willing to readjust their views and do what's best for her. Because that's what love and parenthood are all about.
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15 comments:
I know this is something that you have been thinking about for a while, so best of luck to you guys in your new life path! Hope Isabelle has a good time. My kids who went to public school for a while always liked kindergarten, apart from a few incidents. But, that's to be expected.
Yay! Now I have a public school blogging friend. LOL!
Seriously, though, when you know you're doing what's right for YOUR family... that just feels good. :)
Can't wait to hear how her first day goes!
It takes courage to make a decision to change and to do something you feel is right, especially when many of those around you are doing something different. So congratulations on your leap of faith!
Good for you! There is no "right" or "wrong" way to school your children; it is all what is best for your family.
Our family will be praying for you guys as you head out on this new journey. And, "GO, Isabelle!!!"
Good luck with it, don't let anyone try and give you a hard time about making that decision as only you and your family are walking in those shoes.
I love the idea of homeschooling but I know myself well enough to know that I would have driven myself totally and utterly insane if I had even thought about attempting it
When my older son was entering kindergarten, I went back and forth. I continued to wonder when he was in first grade. After sending him off to second grade, It is the first year that I am glad I decided to send him to school after all. I am lucky that I choices of schools though. If I had to use our neighborhood school, he would have definitely stayed home for homeschooling. Good luck feeling at peace with your decision and I hope your daughter has a great year.
My husband and I have agonized over the decision over homeschool vs public school for nearly 5 years now - and our little one is not even a year yet! I will say that after teaching in the public schools for 9 years, I always loved how even though I was very limited on what I could say in regards to faith, the children are not. Each year, there would be at least one precious child that would openly and repeatedly share their faith with the class.
Sometimes the right decision for your family is different that what you have done in the past! Great tackle:-)
You have to do what is right for your family. God made each family different. Your family is not going to look like any other.
I am often reminded of one of my favorite quotes:
"What is popular is not always right. And what is right is not always popular."
Sounds like this was a decision you didn't just make overnight.
Praying that your daughter has a great year. Looking forward to hearing all about it!
Oh wow. I so remember that feeling. Tow years ago, I sent my kiddos off to 5th and 3rd grade at a small christian school. Then last year was their first year in Public school. It's a tough decision, and who knows maybe someday you will re-adjust and order some curriculum. At least that is how I look at it. But for now, I know that this is where God has them.
Blessings!
Lori :)
We made the same decision with our kids. We started the process last Christmas and finalized it this fall with all the kids starting school. Homeschooling is great, but it doesn't work for everyone. It was something we re-evaluated every year and decided what we thought was best for the kids each year. Good luck and I hope your dd loves school as much as my kids do.
I'm sure it was a very difficult decision for you & Eric, Kate. I know my brother & sister have had to make the decision a few times too. I don't envy parents these kinds of decisions, that's for sure.
May God bless you & your family in this time of transition!
Its funny, we're doing just the opposite at our house.... after K and 1st in public school, I'm homeschooling my daughter for the first time this year for 2nd grade!
I had always thought we'd do Christian private school, but a life-threatening illness came between us & our private school funds and so we HAD to send her to public school (which I thought at the time would be our LAST choice). After lots of wrestling with the idea, crying, and praying, I spent a year 'mad' that we 'had' to put our daughter in public school before I came to a 'peace' that this is exactly where the Lord planned for us to be and decided I would be happy about it and be the best public school parents we could be.
My daughter's best friend since the age of 2 was, miraculously, in her class both years ~ and this summer asked Jesus into her heart as a result of this friendship. We were able to do lots at that school during the time that we were there to help others who needed it, provide back packs and school supplies and a hand to hold on the field trips, etc., and I was glad that my children were able to SEE that 'red, yellow, black, and white' are ALL precious in His sight.
Now that 'season' is behind us, at least for NOW, because I know that the Lord has called us to homeschool, and I know that for NOW this is where we're supposed to be.
Someone wise told me, as I was agonizing over our own decision two years ago, that God calls some of us to homeschool....some to public school....and some to private school. We aren't all called to do the same thing.
I can say as someone who has been there, just have a peace about it, LOVE the school (because your kids need you to 'love' their school, not just tolerate it), and be there every chance you get. Who knows how the Lord might use you and your family.
Doing what is best for your family is all that matters. We have homeschooled our three children for 11 years, our oldest just left for college but we always held to that we would do what was best for OUR family and what we knew the Lord wanted for US. Our kids did go to our church school one year and then we went back to homeschooling. I pray that your family enjoys this time and that it is a great experience!
Also I am having a girls cooking studio giveaway on my blog. Your girls might like it.
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