Posted in Homeschooling

We have just received the results of our daughter Gabrielle’s dyslexia testing.  While we knew that she had it, we did not understand the severity of it nor the effect it could have on so many areas of her schoolwork.  She also was diagnosed with dysgraphia. At this point, the recommendation is at least twice weekly tutoring for the next 18-24 months to get her up to grade level, at which point she would begin high school.

This news means a serious reevaluation of our homeschooling.  We will need to be much more structured with some things than we have been in the past.  We will have to add in some areas that will help her.  And we will have to make time for the tutoring. In addition, my other daughter needs more in several subject areas.  This year our homeschool is adding in a kindergartner, who will need phonics and math at a minimum.

Then we have the fact that I was hoping to have the children involved in more activities this year.  I had thought to do a choir and ballet for the girls, a Friday co-op, and other things as they came up, plus try to make new friends.  Now I don’t know if we will be able to do anything besides ballet.

Besides all that, I will still have three-year-old twins and a newborn to take care of. I’m thinking that it’s a good thing I haven’t signed a contract to teach at the charter school again this year yet.  If I did, it would only be once or twice a week, but at this point, I am not sure I can fit it in, mentally, physically, or otherwise.

Of course, this realization that I may not be able to work in any real way comes at the same time as the news that we will have to figure out some way to pay for her tutoring, plus meet all our other expenses and pay for gas to get to and from the tutoring.  And this all comes when I am 36 weeks pregnant and have no energy at all.  I know I will have more energy later but right now I am a bit overwhelmed.

I don’t know when or if I will be able to work on my Spanish and German, take online classes, think about teaching or doing any of the things I have been considering doing.  But I also don’t know how we are going to pay for everything!  I think I’ll go take a nap; that should help, don’t you think?