Tuesday, January 24, 2012

School and Work.

How is it going with homeschooling? You mentioned before that you were trying it in small steps and I wondered if you still felt the same as you did back then.

Ah, good question! Cub and I still do a bit of "school" every week, with flashcards and reading and such. But, as far as schooling is concerned, we're just going to take it a year at a time. Finding out I was pregnant with Lydia put a new spin on everything and the reality of having a three year old, a one and a half year old, and a newborn has begun to sink in a little. Don't get me wrong, I have friends who have many more children, many close together, who still homeschool and homeschool well--I'm just not sure what that would look like for me. I want to be honest with myself more than anything, while keeping an open mind. That's why we're just going to take it year-by-year. I'm not adhering to one thing or another as of yet.

Cub is in a unique spot because he's an October birthday. This means he will be the oldest in his class, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. As I've seen him grow and develop, especially in these past few months, I've begun considering having him attend a two-day a week program next fall. I haven't decided for sure. I never thought that I would consider it, but, well, as with all things related to parenting, I'm learning to never make a decision about something I've never experienced. I can see how much Cub would thrive spending a few hours a week in a classroom setting (no more than two days, though). But, we will only do it if it is a private Christian preschool. If that is out of our reach, then I will keep him home until kindergarten and re-evaluate then. And if it's a total bust, then we'll consider something else. I want to be flexible and practical when it comes to the kids' schooling and I believe the only way to do that is to take it year-by-year. I'll keep you updated.

I hope that made sense. I'm still learning all of this!

Do you have plans or desires to get back into the workforce outside the home at any point?

Good question! As of now, the answer would be "no" (but, again, only time will tell!). If possible, I would love to stay home and volunteer my time. One of my greatest encouragements as a young Mom was having older stay-at-home Moms who mentored me--I would love to have that role for "younger" Moms. If the kids are in school, I'd love to help out in their classrooms. I still want to be available to them, even if they are not home with me, while they're still young. As they get older, things might and probably will change, but we'll see when the time comes.

It will be at least five years before I have all of my kids in school (again, if we don't homeschool), so I have some time to think about it ... thankfully. Honestly, the thought of an empty house already makes me sad!

These have all been really great questions. Y'all are making me think!

Have a lovely day!

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for answering! I guess I need to stop fretting so much too, because I have a little time to still enjoy them being young. Bub will be the oldest in his class too - born in December. Thank goodness, more time at home :-)

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