Much Crow Must Be Eaten

By me, that is!

Never in my wildest, wildest dreams did I ever picture myself as a homeschool mama. In fact, when John would casually bring up the fact that homeschooling could be a possibility for our kids, my lips agreed with him while my brain screamed "No way, mister!" I can admit that I thought the idea of homeschooling was odd. I mean, why would you want to deprive your child of the opportunities that public (or private) school has to offer? After all, I went through public schools and had a truly wonderful experience. But, that was over 20 years ago, and things have most certainly changed. It's not that I don't think that Cora and Carys could get a good education at our neighborhood school; I mean I, of all people, know that there are FANTASTIC teachers everywhere. And, I know that teachers work themselves to exhaustion to provide the best education they possibly can for their students. It's moreso that my heart hurts for the state of education today. Rising class sizes are practically a given. And, with the extent that standardized testing has permeated the system, the focus has to be on the results rather than on cultivating lifelong learners. In my 10 years of experience as an elementary teacher, I watched as the vital developmentally appropriate practices were gradually phased out in favor of overly rigorous methods designed to sway the results of the big, bad TAKS. We were expected to do more with fewer resources while programs were being cut left and right. If it weren't for the outstanding pay {wink, wink}, I would have quit long before Cora gave me an important reason to! (Don't get me wrong, I was actually quite satisfied with my pay and my benefits. I would have loved more money - who wouldn't? - but it's not like the comparatively low salary was a big shocker to me!) I firmly believe that the vast majority of teachers do their job and do their job well for the love of the students. That fact is actually what kept me teaching for so long.  I know that my girls' teachers would surely love them and care for them as best they could given the conditions they are put in. But, they can not truly care for my children's education as much as I do. So, I have now arrived at a crossroads. 

A big part of this mission (should I choose to accept it) will be retraining me.  The thought of getting a group of 22+ five year olds from A to Z in a year does not frighten me in the least.  In fact, I actually had the naive thought while pregnant with Cora that parenting would be a snap for me because of my teaching abilities.  God had to knock me down to my knees pretty fast for that assumption.  But, then again, aren't we all perfect parents BEFORE we have kids?!  I am, however, quite a bit intimidated in taking on the full responsibility for my own children's education.  How do you even begin to draw the line between what is play time and what is school time when the little red schoolhouse happens to be in the same exact location as the fun time playhouse?  Which methodology truly is the best?  Will I be able to be objective in evaluating my girls?  Will they be prepared for when they do enter public schools (whether that be high school or college)?  And, a thousand more questions at that. . .

I have about a year before I would start something 'formal' with Cora. I've been furiously researching methods and philosophies online. I have found some local homeschooling co-ops and support groups. And, I'll admit the freedom of the calendar that homeschooling provides is very enticing . . . Disney World in the off season, anyone?!? So, we are prayerfully seeking God's will. I am seeking Godly counsel from some other homeschool mamas at our church. I truly don't know for certain where we will land, but I'm intrigued to see what God will reveal.