We're doing quite a bit of soul searching/praying about what to do with our kids schooling next year. (For those of you who don't know, we have always homeschooled our kids.) My oldest is going into grade 8 in September and I've been feeling slightly uninspired and was thinking maybe this would be the year to give up my responsibility, to hand to ball to someone else so to speak. My nephew has been attending and loving a small private school not far from our house. It seemed perfect for me. Not a huge school, a safe place to put our toes into the school pool so to speak.
We're still talking and praying about it but it's becoming more and more clear to me that taking the safe and easy route of sending him to school (keep in mind this is something for ME not a comment on anyone else's schooling choices!) would sort of work against our desires for him as a person and for us as a family. We want to encourage him in the areas he's showing proficiency in (computer programming) and have the flexibility to travel as a family.
It feels a bit like jumping off the cliff and hoping my parachute will open in time to me. I feel God challenging me to put my money where my mouth is and trust Him in this.
Stay tuned as I seem to change my mind daily but as of today we will be homeschooling next year but in a somewhat different way. So here goes...wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee........
Oh and if anyone knows of programming courses for kids. I'm on the hunt:)
In other news, my bff's and I are running another 10 K on Sunday but this one I feel completely unprepared for. I'm not sure why but I seem to struggle with balance in my life. If I feel sort of centered and settled spiritually than physically I'm struggling to find time to exercise and if I'm all fit and trim ... well you get the idea:) If I could only get it together all at the same time, imagine the damage I could do?!
21 comments:
i hope your faith guides you in making your decision for next year's school plans.
i wish you the best of luck this weekend in your 10K. you CAN do it!!!
take care.
I know decisions like that have to be hard, but it sounds like you've found the answer. I completely agree with the balance issue. I felt all nice and healthy and was fitting well in my clothes last month, but since we've gotten back from Mississippi I've not felt so fit. I missed my family so much, so visiting with them (and eating lots of terrible for you foods) was more important. I should have at least tried to get some sort of exercise in, or at least said no to a couple of desserts. Oh well. Good luck on your 10K!
I can really empathize with your struggles, especially the school thing. I am feeling overwhelmed by the choices at this point and really struggling with B and school period.
I hope your run goes really well and you get back in your stride.
Praying for you and thinking of you always.
Hi Shay - I will keep you and your family in my prayers regarding the schooling issues! And, Thanks for the prayers for our baby - we hare hoping for the best, obviously, and we appreciate all the prayers! See you soon. Kellan
Could you homeschool my 8th grader next year too?? :) That would solve my problems as well! We could meet halfway in, say... Bellingham, or Ferndale, or just sit at the border? That'd be perfect!
Ahhh... balance. That wonderful, mythical ideal...
It's a hard call, dude. I'm sure you'll reach the right conclusion.
Well I just love hearing about people jumping off cliffs and trusting God and taking the exciting route He has directed them to. You're in good hands, girl! Can't wait to hear about how it turns out this next year. You and us will be amazed at God's provision! Great, inspirational post!
This is definitely a tough decision. Good luck. I'm sure that you'll be able to do what's right for your kids.
Hey, Shay! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
We went from homeschooling to small private school, back to homeschool, then (in shifts) to public school...and in one case, military boarding school. If my experiences can serve as a resource for you as you make this decision, please feel free to ask. (The stories are on my blog under the "When It Comes to Education" series, but they're more humorous than helpful.)
What does your oldest WANT? That makes a huge difference.
My eldest taught himself Basic and Java in homeschool junior high; I want to think he used to "for Dummies" books. I'll ask him for more details next time we talk.
Blessings!
"The Philosopher-Mom"
It's always a hard decision with the schooling, isn't it? We sent our teen daughter to eighth grade last year, but we kept her home this year. If you want details, you can e-mail me about it. It's difficult to balance what's best for the family with what may or may not be best for a child who is rapidly growing up.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
looks like you have some big decisions facing you.i am sure the Lord will guide you in the right direction.
thanks for stopping by my blog...yep it's tough to keep track of everyone but i love all of my bloggy friends and reading about their lives. so the awards MUST go out! :)
Good luck with a very tough decision. It sounds like you know what the right thing is for your family though. What a great mom you are.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Best wishes for a wonderful journey with your son next year!
Hey Shay, I can't see how trusting the Lord can be the wrong decision (smile). For programming I have no idea if this is what you are looking for the www.thelcg.com offers an online video game course for $20 no less where kids use Multi Media fusion to create their own games. You have to purchase the software (multimedia fusion) but if you purchase from them you get a discount. We did this a few years back but at the time it was too old for Josh but would probably be perfect now. If you have any other questions let me know. I'll keep my eyes open otherwise. Good luck in the run!
I always flake out of things when I get bored with it. I resolved to send the kids back to school this year but my Papi refused and said he would step in and supervise and help them with their schoolwork, more.
And then I noticed the big change in the formerly sweet young girls who have entered middle school. They've become rude, obnoxious, clique-ish, little blue eye shadowed-terrors! Not that my kids are angels but you know it takes a lot of pressure off a kid when they don't have to compete with their peers all day and be exposed to things our family doesn't approve of.
I always say that if someone is going to corrupt my kids, it's going to be ME!
I am sure you will find the right answer for you and your family! Good luck in that 10K
ahh... balance. it's always the key right?
good luck with your decision. sounds like you are well on your way to making the best decision for you and your family...
If you find the secret to that type of balance, let me know? Please? *sigh*.
Good luck with the 10K -- today?! Go, you!
I have been homeschooling our 3 for five years and we pray about how to proceed each year...next year we feel led to put our now 8th grader in ninth grade at the local school next year. It's a big decision.
Good luck, Shay. That's a big decision to be making, either way.
I struggle with the uniformity of the school system, but I do not have the courage to homeschool. So my hat's off to you. Big time!
Hope your 10K went well :)
Heidi
I feel as though this is an easy choice for us because Sean teaches at a Christian High School. We always have intended for our kids to go to High School where he teaches. If for some reason, he is not teaching there at some point we will have some big decisions to make!
Just because you are "sending him out" doesn't lessen your love or responsibility for his education. I think kids should be sent out as they are ready and when home is no longer providing all they need. It takes a lot of faith and humility to recognize this.
In our area there a lot of homeschool high school courses available outside the home taught privately by teachers. These kids go to class, have jobs, have a classroom setting and really aren't home much at all. I've seen these kids go on to college and soar.
Whatever you decide I think that you should keep as many doors open as possible. It's not an all or nothing deal. He's your child and you get to keep on providing him what is best. I'm sure he's going to do a lot of growing and changing in the next five years!
Either way, don't let guilt be your guide. Keep praying. God will make it clear.
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