Last week my little Boo Bear started preschool.
As a gal who was homeschooled from 3rd grade through graduation, it was kind of a big deal to decide to send Grace to preschool this year.
Let me also say, I was a gal who was homeschooled almost all the way and I enjoyed it.
Sure I had moments of feeling left out, but for the most part I loved the flexible schedule, working at my own pace and graduating early.
I was involved in an incredible church youth group, so I had a solid group of friends and lacked nothing in the socialization department. I’m so grateful for all the fond memories with those dear pals. Because of them I went to dances, football games, homecomings and proms.
No missing out there.
But…the Senior Class All Nighter that I couldn’t be a part of was quite devastating for me. I remember that evening well…I drove around in my 1980’s Light Blue Chevrolet Celebrity, listening to emo 90’s music and eating the biggest Dairy Queen Blizzard I could buy. (Chocolate ice cream with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, if you were wondering)
The next day my friends told me the party was super lame and I felt a little better :)
The senior party aside, homeschooling was a very positive experience for me, and one I was convinced I’d replicate with my own children.
I worked as a teacher from 2000-2001 and besides the fact that I had extremely difficult students (at risk boys – 8th grade) and no formal curriculum (I created it as the year progressed), I loved teaching.
I still love teaching and find great joy in whatever capacity I’m currently able to teach. Sometimes it’s as simple as showing someone how to use their iPhone, or set up a blog, or make a recipe.
I think God created me to enjoy teaching, and I really think I’ll have more opportunities to do it as the years go on. Perhaps even in homeschooling my children.
But this year, after much prayer and consideration, we decided to send Grace to a local Christian Preschool (Christ the King).
SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT.
Like head-over-heels, over-the-moon, cried-on-Friday, LOVES it.
She’s in a four year old class that runs part days Monday – Thursday, so Friday was a real bummer when she realized she wasn’t going to school.
Fortunately Andy was off that day and my mom was coming the following day so she had a really fun weekend to take her mind off it :)
Buying school supplies, choosing a Frozen backpack, brainstorming snack ideas and picking out her first day outfit, all made her so excited for her new venture.
The first day I dropped her off, she happily skipped into the classroom, found a My Little Pony playset and a new friend named Kate. She never looked back and is all smiles every day when I drop her off.
This was the right choice for her this year, and I’m so glad I was open-minded enough to consider it.
Homeschooling is such a passion for the families who believe in it. In fact, I used to find myself thinking it was the best way to educate a child. The older I get though, the more comfortable I become with shades of gray.
There isn’t usually a best way. Often times there are many best ways and they’re different from person to person.
Crazy, I know! ;)
I’m not sure what next year will hold for us. We don’t live in school district that I feel comfortable utilizing, especially at her young age. Many of the local private schools are VERY expensive. So maybe we’ll homeschool for Kindergarten or maybe we’ll find a school that works for us.
Either way, I’m open.
I want school to be a very positive experience for each of my children, so I’m willing to do different things based on each child’s personality and needs. That may mean a combination of methods, which is kind of overwhelming but for now I’ll take one year at a time :)
