Random Thoughts

Michael heads back to school on Wednesday. Amy goes eight days later.

Hey, I typed that without crying! Major progress.

Amy has several classes that Sean would like to take with her, including musical composition and some funky math class. Of course, he said he’d pass on her two dance classes.

Michael has several automotive classes, like accounting for dealerships, plus he’s working on Northwood’s upcoming auto show. Sean would like to join him, too.

Basically, it sounds like Sean would like to retire and go back to school.

Only way I’m going back is if I can be a DJ again. And even then, only if I can take underwater basket weaving for pass/fail. Otherwise, no thanks. I told Sean that and Rebecca said, “Basket weaving sounds hard to me.” We tried to explain how calling a class underwater basket weaving was a way to refer to an easy class, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought she was right. It sounds pretty hard to me, too.

If scuba gear is involved, I'm out.

I’m definitely not ready for them to go back, but I think Rebecca is dreading it even more than I am.  People keep telling her she’s going to love the individual attention and she keeps telling them that she will not.

But she thinks them leaving and her being alone will soften my no-more-pets stance. This morning she told me she wants a lamp with a giant globe that doubles as a fish tank. I said no more animals are coming in this house. When Amy’s fish are gone, we will be pet-free. Rebecca’s response: “When I get older I’m going to have a cow and a horse and a pig and a sheep and a cat and a dog and a bunch of hamsters. Maybe a bunch of sheep. And my cow will be named Daisy. And two parakeets named Dunlop and Dunbar.”

And this conversation reminded me to be praying for the potential spouses for my children.

Nine years and counting

So, today begins our 9^th year of homeschooling. Which is pretty funny when I remember how vehemently opposed to it I was 10 years ago.

I only have two at home, and only one who actually still needs my input; Amy outpaced my math and science knowledge years ago. Rebecca’s not far behind. I’m occasionally needed for writing and English, but only occasionally. Michael said he’d still send me his papers so I can read them. It will make me feel moderately useful.

(Is it totally wrong to want to write a paper for one of Michael’s assignments just to see how I’d be graded? Michael already nixed the idea, but I’m still thinking about it… Maybe he could submit two?)

It’s amazing how many different ways there are to homeschool. I know some moms who study all summer long, re-learning chemistry and algebra so they can teach it to their kids the following year. Trust me when I say I am not one of those moms. I didn’t love learning it in high school; I can’t imagine spending my summer trying to learn it now. I’m more of a homeschool facilitator. I find people who can teach my kids and send them there. Amy’s taking American lit and chemistry this year as well as geometry. American lit I can do; chem and geometry? Not so much.

If you think you can’t homeschool, think again. The curriculum options are endless and there are tons of programs to assist you – one of my favorites is Teaching Textbooks. Love, love, love this math program because it explains how to do each and every problem in the book! Sean loves it for Math with Dad, his favorite part of the homeschool day.

Having now sent one away, I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am that we have chosen this education model. Michael got a fine education – he got a decent score on the ACT and got into the college of his choice. And while I’m glad the kids are getting good book learnin’, I’m more thrilled they’re getting family learnin’. Sean and I are their main influencers. I know that’s a crazy concept these days, but I would prefer I be the filter for my kids, not other kids, or adults for that matter.

Believe it or not, 18 years fly by. I don’t want my kids spending the majority of their days with someone else.

Not everyone can homeschool. I get that. But those who can, well, I hope you seriously consider it. It will be the hardest, most wonderful thing you'll ever do.

And trust me: if I can do it, you can do it!