We're literally counting down the weeks until our "school" opens for business. As far as the world is concerned, my son won't start kindergarten until fall 2014. But the plan is to actually start working through the curriculum in January. That means that I only have 2 months of freedom before I become a teacher--something that I'm not formally educated to be and something that I'm still completely nervous about attempting. Trust me, had I gone to college with the idea that I was going to spend 18+ years of my life teaching 3 children everything that they need to know for life, I might have chosen a different major. I'm sure that my understanding of the human body and pathology and my ability to draft legal documents and arguments will come in handy at some point, but it certainly hasn't prepared me for understanding learning styles, educational theories, curriculum development, etc. After years and years of higher education, I'm slightly flabbergasted by the world that is Kindergarten!
Thankfully, the decision to homeschool, the desire to homeschool, and the preparation for homeschooling has not been all me. Prayer, Mr. Wonderful, supportive grandparents, friends who are successfully surviving the process, the internet, and homeschool how-to books have all contributed to getting us where we are today. I was originally scared to death about the idea of being a homeschool mom. Just the thought of teaching someone phonics made my stomach churn. There have been tears and fear. But then there was prayer and at each step in this journey something has happened to confirm that this is the right decision for us, for now. I can't explain how relieved I am that God has given me a joy about this process, because I year ago I rolled my eyes and groaned just thinking about it.
Another blogger shared that she was reading a must-read homeschool book and recommended that anyone considering homeschooling should read it. I'm so glad I heeded her advice, because The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell has been a huge blessing and confidence boost for me (and I needed it because according to her I'm an actual-routine learner with an Epimethean temperament who regularly needs a push into the "uncomfortable" zones and constant affirmation that I'm succeeding in order to venture off into new educational endeavors. Her book has found a way to tap into my sense of duty and to motivate me. Sorry, I digress...). Mrs. Bell has done a wonderful job laying out all the truths about the benefits and disadvantages to homeschooling. She honestly believes that it's not for everybody. And she lays out a fairly unbiased how-to guide for approaching homeschooling. I'm not even halfway through the book, but I'm so relieved that I'm reading this prior to starting school in January! Thank you Mrs. Bell!!!!
Although my blog was not intended to be a homeschool blog, I just wanted to give my reader friends a heads-up that we're about to enter Kindergarten together. This is just where God has been leading me. So while I don't intend to write about school all the time, homeschooling is my new life. I have every confidence that God is going to use this new adventure to humble, teach, and change me. It will likely be painful and ugly at times, but I'm praying that it will produce something lovely in my life, my children, and my home.
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