Aug. 29, 2007 - Lord give me strength
So I was not going to post until September 4th but this mornings recent events have led me here.
I called my dear mother this morning and we had the talk. (Not the "birds and bees" I have given birth to 3 children if I don't know how to make them by now I am never going to get it.) We had the homeschool talk. What is the homeschool talk you ask well it goes like this:
(My mom talking on the phone to one of the children)
Mom: So are you ready to go back to school?
Child: We are going to be homeschooled this year.
Mom: What!!!!!!
Child: Mommies going to teach us at home for school.
Mom: Let me talk to your mother!!!!!!!!!
My child hands me the phone (mic: we use the computer to call back to the states)
Mom: What is that child talking about, are you going to homeschool them again?
Me: yes
Mom: Why!???
Me: We (My husband and I) have decided to homeschoool them because for one, little Michael did not learn anything last year and......
Mom: Are you going to teach them everyday?
Me: Yeah
Mom: Even when you don't feel like it.
Me: yeah
To make a long conversation short we went back and forth I don't even try to explain to her the biblical or spiritual reasons to homeschool cause I been there done that she does not agree and we just end up getting into an argument and I let my flesh take over. This time I was quite proud of myself I did not get upset I just told her. "Thank you for caring so much about the children, you are good grandma but we have it under control.
I knew this conversation was coming I dreaded it, I had sent out an email with the "school" website. She must have not gotten it cause she never brought it up. But today was the day. I thank God he held my tongue because the last time we had the homeschool conversation I was rude and did not honor my mother at all. I have come to realize that whether she likes it or not whether anyone likes it or not it is ultimately Gods, My husband and my decision and nothing they say or do can change that.
In her defense, when I did homeschool my daughter in the 05-06 school year I did not do it to my best ability. I was pregnant and miserable and then I had my sweet 'J' and was sleep deprived. I should have just sucked it up but I didn't and there were some days that she did not have school or she just did worksheets. My mother was sure to interrogate my DD and find that out. That is one of the reasons why she is against homeschooling. I give that to her. This is my main reason for starting this blog to have some accountability.
She was against homeschooling to begin with so there is some bias there. In the past 3 or 4 years I have had so much revelation about the world and life. I want to share it with everyone I know but I have and they have totally looked at me like I was crazy or just told me I was stupid. Example: The homeschooling thing - I have come to understand that ultimately it is your chose whether you put your children in public, private or homeschool. So many people feel if you don't put your children in some form of school outside your home you are not doing what you are supposed to be doing. I didn't even know that you could homeschool before I knew what it was but when I found out you could I jumped all over it. Okay I am going off my vent this is for another topic.
I'm glad that phone call is over. I have vented (letting out a sigh of relief)
Comments
Aug. 29, 2007 - Hi there
Posted by AFJen88
Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog. Good job on handling your conversation with your mom so maturely!
Just be encouraged....and know this too--with little ones you don't HAVE to do school every day! I've been at this since 1995, and when mine were little, we did school about 3-4 days a week. LOTS of playtime, cooking and yes, NAPS! (esp when I was pg!!)
Fastforward to now. My oldest is nearly 16. He is enrolled in an independent study program so he can play sports (still homeschooling) He has enough credits to graduate---we don't want him to because of his age. I am not saying this to brag, but just to encourage you ,yes they can get a great education in much less time than in a typical school. once you embrace this fact, your life will be so fun.I would love to go back and do those early years over--we had a blast!!!
God bless and welcome to HSB
Jen in CA
Edited by AFJen88 on Aug. 29, 2007 at 6:25 PM
Aug. 29, 2007 - Good for You!
Posted by proverbsmomof3
Sometimes it's hard to homeschool even in the best of situations and with family support. Don't let yourself be discouraged. You have a wonderful plan, sincere intentions, and 'the stick to it even when I don't feel like it' attitude. Half the battle is won. And if there are days when formal schooling falls to the wayside, I wouldn't worry too much. Book smarts aren't the only things we can teach our children. Living life is a lesson in itself. Hope your first days go well and look forward to hearing about your adventure.
Blessings!
Aug. 29, 2007 - I understand...
Posted by mcgyver959701
I have been there and done that. My parents are completely against us homeschooling our children, so much so that I was told to come to my sister's wedding and then quickly and quietly leave the church and not attend the wedding reception. And not to speak to anyone at the church. That is how much my parents are against us homeschooling our children. Even though, my parents saw how much work my son had done his first year. Sometimes God has his purposes for all things and this led to alot of hurt feelings and days and days of prayer. This also led to my family not attending the wedding.
Maybe, your mother will start understanding more after she hears about all the work the kids are doing.
Blessings,
Lynn
