School Part 2: Home School

My sisters tell me I'm weird and getting weirder. I suppose they're right, but it's a gradual process and I'm okay with it. I'm grateful to have my own blog where I can try to explain my "path to weirdness."
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Six years ago, when I was still working full time in the public schools, I had strong opinions about home schooling. The home schooled kids I came across in my role as a school psychologist were anything but exemplary. Usually they were trying to get back into the public school setting and it was clear they were years behind their classmates academically and socially. Their parents frequently admitted to having done little, if any, structured teaching/learning. Shameful. Pair those experiences with the limited exposure I had growing up to kids who had been home-schooled and were rather socially awkward, and I felt the evidence was clear that home schooling was a recipe for academic failure and social maladjustment.
When Aubree was born, Mark and I spent a lot of time talking about our views on education. We agreed that education was extremely important and envisioned that our kids would take school "seriously." Missing school, except in instances of illness, was not an option. I'll admit to being somewhat judgmental of families I saw who pulled their kids out of school for "frivolous" activities. "Don't they realize how important school is?" I wondered.
Slowly, ever so slowly, my views on home schooling began to soften. I met a few families who took home schooling seriously and their kids were not only not weird, but intelligent, articulate, thoughtful, hard-working, and wonderful! "Hmmm," I pondered, "maybe there are some exceptions."
About a year ago, a lady in my ward who home schools her daughters came up to me and asked if I would like some of her old curriculum. "Ummmm..." I stammered, not quite sure why she was asking me. She jumped in, "I was getting ready to sell it and kept getting a feeling that I should give it to you. I tried to ignore the feeling, but it just kept coming back stronger, so I figured I'd at least ask." "Oh no!" I answered, "Don't say that! I don't want to home school!"
Occasionally, while perusing the Internet looking for fun and educational activities for my kiddos, I'd come across an article or a blog post talking about home school. Reading one would peak my curiosity and soon I was seeking out more blogs, articles, and books. The more I researched and read about education and schools, the more disenchanted I became with the educational system. I realized my attitude had shifted and I was already planning how many days of school my kids could miss and not get in trouble with the administration. I'd decided family time trumped school time. I even found myself wondering if "education" and "school" were necessarily synonymous, and had serious reservations about the wisdom of a "standardized curriculum."
One of my good friends has two kids that are school-aged. I had a front-row seat last year as she and her kids struggled with the public school system that would not or could not meet her daughter's needs. Ultimately my friend chose to pull her daughter out of school and home-school the remainder of the year, which worked out well for them. Her daughter is a lot like Aubree, which forced me to really face the question of whether a public school is the best option for her and her brothers.
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Since the kindergarten cut-off date here in Florida is non-negotiable, I felt like home schooling is really my only good choice this year. In a twisted way, I'm almost grateful there are no exceptions, because I've been forced to research and prepare to home school and in this process I'm discovering that it might not just be manageable or acceptable, but perhaps even preferable. There are a TON of fabulous resources and curriculums and supports available.
As we gear up to start home-schooling, I'm really looking forward to having more structure in our lives; I want to be more intentional in how our time is spent. In the past few months, for the first time, Aubree's been complaining about being "bored." (Admittedly, the past year I haven't been very proactive in planning crafts or activities at home.) "Mom," she begs, "give me some options!" With the curriculum choices I've made, we'll have lots of options! Most are really fun and engaging and even Bryce will be able to participate in some of the more hands-on activities.
I want my kids to maintain their love of learning, and I also want them to develop problem-solving skills, to be compassionate, to have opportunities to follow their passions. I like having them around and I feel uneasy turning the majority of their days over to strangers. I want to be able to incorporate the Gospel into all their studies, not do damage control in the few moments I might have with them after school.
On a more selfish note, Aubree's only been in "school" less than two weeks (which she continues to enjoy), and I'm already less than fond of the drop-off and pick-up routine. I don't like having to conform to other people's schedules and I really hate having to wake up sleeping babies. Plus, in the off-chance that we are able to move closer to family, I want to be able to go visit!
So, maybe this home school thing will work for our family. Or, maybe it won't and Aubree will be heading off to public schools this time next year. It's a grand experiment and I'm excited to get started!