Homeschool Diaries

So, I thought I would start a new section to my blog: homeschool diaries. This way I can "journal" my thoughts as I start this new endeavor. I will share the good, the bad, and the funny as I walk this unfamiliar and yet, not so unfamiliar road. We all know why it's unfamiliar, I've never homeschooled before. But, aspects of it are familiar thanks to my teaching background. And I absolutely love teaching. I love preparing for teaching. I get excited as I plan out activities and LAMINATE them. My laminator has provided a source of motivation! Sad, I know.

Our first week back, with the laminator and using Confessions of a Homeschooler, was good. We stuck to our schedule: an hour usually in the morning while Kate napped but some days we did it in the afternoon due to prior morning obligations. The cute activities kept their interest. I will admit though, teaching your kids is different than teaching someone else's. It's harder. I suppose I expect more out of them. So, I found I lost my patience more easily. I'll have to work on that one. ALOT. And Grant, bless his heart, can't sit still for too long. But he's 2 and 1/2. I kept telling myself that. We started our time with prayer. A must have for all of our sanity's sake. And seriously, I am reminded I can only do this through the Lord's strength and wisdom. It is only by His grace that I can do this. I also introduced the Pledge of Allegiance to them. And we said it. Well, I said it. And they stood on their chairs (yes, their chairs) with their hands somewhat over their hearts. And, to be honest, I felt super silly holding the small flag and doing this. BUT, again, it's important. And if they aren't going to be in public school, I feel like this is something they need to know and understand. So, we did it. All three of us.

I plan to enroll Hannah in a homeschool group next year called Classical Conversations. A good friend heads it up down here and I've heard good things about it. This will be our true trial run for homeschooling. We'll all go (meaning me and the kids) every Monday and then do everything else at home the other days. Well, that's about all I know right now. I'll go next month for an open house to learn all the ins and outs. I'm looking forward to it.

And, so, here we go, on another adventure....