After Six Years of Homeschooling
Shelves and tables entice me to browse. I hunt for the RightStart Mathematics booth. The speaker’s enthusiasm and knowledge remind me why I chose the program. She recommends Geometry and then Algebra after Level E. Really? I’ll be teaching Algebra in another year?! Somehow I don’t panic at the thought.
At Miller Pads and Paper I linger. Here I gather the only items I purchase at the Home School Book Fair: two sketchbooks, an eraser, and calligraphy practice paper.
I hunt for books on my wish list and flip through others with interesting titles. I pause. What about our shelves at home? So many books we haven’t roamed through yet. More than enough to last us for this year and next and possibly a few after that.
The plans I have are numerous. Every year until graduation is not figured out by any means, yet driving home I realize I feel…settled. Settled with the curriculum I’ve purchased. Settled with the ebb and flow of lesson plans. Settled with homeschooling.
It’s only taken six years.
My oldest is starting 6th grade. I feel settled now, as well. It’s a great feeling! It took us lots of trial and error, but finally, we’re HERE!
Jenn
Jenn,
Yeah, at least for a moment or two. ;) I still get moments of panic, but they aren’t lasting nearly as long.
I was distracted by the Miler Paper mention. Love their stuff. :)
Congratulations on completing 6 years of homeschooling. Me too! Feels good, doesn’t it :-)
I love curriculum fairs!
Well gosh, Renae. You almost sound like a a real teacher there…which, of course, you are! :D
CircleReader,
Really? How exciting! I had no idea what “real” teachers sound like. ;)
We’ve just finished 6 years(7, if you count K)too and my usual response to people is that I ‘still’ don’t know what I’m doing?! But I’ve noticed lately that moms who are just beginning their homeschool journey are asking me questions. It’s then I realize that maybe I do know something about what I’m doing! It does take a while though, to feel that way.
Sandpiper,
I’m counting kindergarten, so yes, you’ve got seven years of experience to share!
Sometimes it is so encouraging just to talk to someone who has the same commitment. It takes faith to believe this homeschooling thing can/does work, and my faith increases each year I see my children grow in character and knowledge.
It is amaxing how you settle in and then finally realize how much you really do know! I hs’d my three sons for 15 years total and loved it. There were many panic moments to be sure and many days I greeted my husband at the door totally wrung out and asking him if he still thought we could pull this off. It was my idea in the first place, he came on board after a couple of years and really pitched in with the math in high school, thank God! Don’t give up…it is SO worth it all. Good luck to you!
What a wonderfully comfortable place to be.
My oldest two are graduating next year and I just now feel like I’m getting it all figured out. My youngest will benefit from my trial and error with the older ones.