When my family made the decision to homeschool our two daughters, I was hesitant at first. Maybe hesitant is not exactly the correct word I'm looking for...AFRAID. I was completely paralyzed at the thought I would be in charge of providing the education for my our girls. I already felt inadequate as a mom, and now I'm going to add to the chaos?
Here we are, over a year later, and I can honestly say that I am still afraid. But I'm not afraid of not being capable to teach our girls, instead I am afraid I have created a circus act in my home.
I laugh when I read homeschool blogs that depict a "typical day," because in our home the ONLY thing that is guaranteed is chaos at some point in the day. At any given time I could have a child writing an essay, another doing math, papers scattered around the floor, math manipulatives used to build minecraft houses, a dog running around the living room with a stolen toy from one of the girls, whistling tunes from one daughter, and singing from another. A fight could break out at anytime between siblings, pets, or one from each.
However, in the chaos is exquisite perfection. I have seen both girls grow this year; physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Through teaching them, I have learned more than I could have imagined. Has it been a challenge? Of course. Have I had to make accommodations to put homeschooling a top priority? Of course. However, I am actually not upset that I have to rearrange my private teaching schedule, nor am I upset that I am not home all day working on house projects waiting for the girls to come home.
A product of homeschooling, at least in our case, is that at least once or twice a week I am reminded of the continued destruction of our educational system. A know quite a few teachers who are looking for a new career, and my heart breaks for those educators that have no choice but to persevere through adversity. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to get little support from parents and even less from administrators.
For many reasons, we are continuing to educate our daughters at home in the fall. I'm getting quite fond of the circus, and cannot imagine my life any other way.
