Sunday, October 26, 2014

You're Homeschooling?!


About a few weeks ago I posted the above collage with the caption "Homeschooling is the best! #ilovemyjob" and I got quite a few "What? You're homeschooling?!" responses. I suppose the confusion is more than justified given I have a 3 year old and 11 month old, neither of which require any formal schooling at the moment. But, yes, for the record, I am homeschooling! As much as I try, beg, and plead for my little ones to look at ABC flashcards and practice writing, I am NOT schooling them, but two other beautiful, bright children!

To make a long story short, the Christian school my niece attended did some major downsizing a few years back so that it only went through 2nd grade, and then prior to this school year it did some more downsizing and it just wasn't going to be the ideal environment for her. While I am SUPER on board with the idea of creating or up-sizing a new Christian school in Woodstock (in fact I am praying this will be a reality by the time Tyler is ready for kindergarten), I also was more than willing to provide an alternative schooling environment for T, thus I offered to homeschool her.

After some serious soul-searching and an unexpected career twist this past spring, I decided I really wanted to stay home with the kids and Jordon was totally on board with the idea. While we played around with the idea of homeschooling, it wasn't really until the end of August that I had two students "enrolled" in "Robinson Academy," Taylor and one of her 3rd grade classmates, Thomas. I'm also watching my nephew Lucas, my two little ones, and my friend's son Jackson who is 2 (part-time). Yes, some days we have an utterly crazy, full house, but I am loving every second of it. I have never been more at peace with a decision and I have never been so non-anxious to go to "work" on Monday mornings.

I must be crazy, right? Maybe. But these kids are amazing and have such beautiful hearts. It's awesome to hear the older ones sound out a word they've never read before, or to hear them repeat something I've taught them. It's so fulfilling to ask one of the little ones something about the Bible study we read a few days ago and have them remember! I love seeing the older ones carry little Juliana on their hip, or hand her a toy when she's fussing, as if they were really her older siblings. Plus, I can teach in the order I choose, use the materials I want to, and come up with fun activities that make learning interesting and entertaining (hopefully!). So pretty much, I have the best job in the world.

I'm hoping, as long as the kids don't keep me way too preoccupied, to post some of the fun stuff we're doing on here... I have a feeling it's going to be an awesome year!