You may know our kids attend a private school that we are generally very happy with. Once I no longer had the shop, though, of course I took the opportunity to consider where I thought each child was, and whether each one might benefit from a change. D had a good year last year, and I love her teachers. But as I watched her, I found her reading and doing math at a much higher level than I'd observed in her schoolwork. I think the little scamp has been holding out on us!
So we are spending a year finding out how D really learns, and how best to move her along. I am really excited about it. And so is she--she has always been Mom's girl. I mean, she is utterly devoted to me! While I harbor no illusions about this being a cakewalk, she certainly did jump at the chance to stay home with me.
I've always thought homeschooling would be a great option. For a while I was overwhelmed with four very young kids very close together, and then we decided that our best option upon exiting the public school here was a private school. We love our school family. But I am looking forward to choosing how to teach some things, like writing, and I'm also looking forward to integrating some topics together, like history and literature. And D is looking forward to learning cursive a year earlier than planned!
We are losing out on one big benefit of homeschooling, namely being on our own schedule, since we'll still have three at school. (Oh how I hate an early-August start!!) But it is a real blessing to have the flexibility of looking at each child's needs and talents, and then figure out how best to educate each one.
I don't know if we'll do this for a year, or three, or ten. But I am excited to start a new season in our family, and to be able to shepherd D through the next year.
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