After homeschooling for a year and a half, my kids have decided to go back to traditional school. A couple of months ago, Mae Mae informed me that she was going back to school. I thought it was a whim that would pass, and disregarded her comment. A few weeks later, she began rounding up her belongings…looking for her backpack, making sure her tennis shoes still fit, etc. I realized she was serious about it. I can be a bit controlling sometimes, but I do want my kids to make decisions for themselves. So, we talked about the pros and cons. Then, we discussed how important it is to include prayer in your decision making process. Then, I left it up to them. Immediately, Mae Mae and the Foof decided to go to school. Little Miss was ambivalent for quite awhile. Actually, she didn’t make her decision until the day I was going down to the district office building to enroll the other girls in school. She decided to go to school too. On the first day of school, we all walked together. On the school grounds, my friend approached me and said, “I am surprised to see you here.” I replied, “I am surprised to be here!” I definitely have mixed feelings about the whole experience. But, I do feel at peace with their decisions. Now, I have a lot of time to spend with the Bub. The first day the girls were all gone to school, the Bub wanted me to sit and hold him. I had things to do and was feeling a bit impatient to get going. Exasperated, I asked, “Bub! I have so much to do! You want me to just sit and hold you all day?!?” He looked up at me and sweetly replied, “Yes.”
Overall, things are going well. The girls all like their teachers and are having fun. Although, after two weeks of school, the Foof said, “Do you want to know what I am learning at school? I am learning how to stand in line and how to color.” Awesome.
So, here’s to standing in lines.
Back to school pictures: The older girls – 1st day of school
Little Miss and her BFF walking to school together:
Watching the girls line up and head into school:
The Foof’s first day of school:
My Rachel had really wanted to go to “traditional” school this year. I was really leaning towards her staying home. And in the end she decided that it would be okay to stay home. It’s such a big decision. It involves so many emotions and aspects individual to each child. But when people ask me if I will home school my kids thru all their years, my answer is “I don’t know.” I would love to. But that doesn’t mean it will happen. Their truly are times and seasons in our lives. Some easy, some hard, some just simply different. You are an amazing mom and I admire your trust in the Lord and in how well you have taught your children to seek out the guidance of the Holy Ghost. And I know that thru this season, though maybe different from others, You will shine and grow as you always do!!!