I have mentioned before that this is the first year that my children are going to school. I know I have gotten quite a bit of email about our decision to send the kids to school and stop homeschooling. It is funny, but it doesn’t seem like that big of a decision to our family. When asked I have always said that I took it year by year. Each year I would evaluate and see where we were and then make the decision about what was best for the children, for me, and for our family. Up until this year that decision has always been to keep them at home.
This year, as most of you know, we moved across the country. A huge life changing move for all of us. My oldest son is going into high school and he has always expressed an interest in going to high school. He wanted the school experience. He wanted to play high school team sports. He wanted the typical teenage social life. Where we lived before this, going to the public high school was not really an option. It simply wasn’t a good school.
When we moved, I made sure that we chose a house that was located in the best school district for all of the schools, but especially the high school. We met people and talked to them about their experiences. We visited the schools. And when the children each individually decided that they wanted to try going to public school there really wasn’t a compelling reason to keep them home. In fact, my 8 yr old son has some rather severe learning disabilities, (it is looking like something dyslexia related) and frankly for him going to school will give him the resources he needs rather than me driving him hither and yon for help that is simply out of my area of expertise.
Academically I have no worries about the children going to school. Socially I have no worries either. Instead I worry about weird things. Like will they know how to stand on line? Will they know how to raise their hands to ask a question? Will they know not to stand up and dance on their chair after they finish their math work?
Anyway, I feel like I am sort of clueless about this whole school thing. Do I pack lunches in brown bags? What do kids wearto school? I assume they need to wear actual clothes and not their pajamas like we do school in at home. Would it be weird to drive to the school and peer in the windows at them? And most important of all, will my high school aged son allow me take a photo of him getting on the bus his first day of school so I can finally have the “Baby’s First Day of School” photo for his baby book. (I am kidding) (Not really, if he would allow it and it wouldn’t destroy any sort of social life for him I would totally be out there with the video camera) (I’d probably be crying, too. And waving.)
Oh, and the having a bedtime and getting up early in the morning might just be what kills all of us. We are a family that is used to staying up until midnight and sleeping in. I am pretty sure schools have a thing about you being there on time. Just a guess.
Ha ha, I love your sense of humor! Like with any change, I guess there’ll be an adjustment period, but I think that in the end it will overall be a little easier on YOU personally. At least you’ll have more time to write stuff for ME to read.
Will the silence in your home for that many hours every day freak you out? I know my mom can’t seem to deal with a silent house (after merely 4 kids), she always leaves a TV or radio blaring even when she’s not home.
Thanks for this post, I HAVE been dying of curiosity about the whole issue.
Comment by Brigitte — August 8, 2009 @ 5:51 am
Although I only have one child going into school, I totally feel were you are coming from. I homeschooled my oldest for two years. She begged and begged to go to school with her friends and decided that if it was going to make her happy then she should go. I have a 2 year old and another one due in Nov so it is not like I am going to be home alone, but still I am going to miss having her here. Tommorrow is her first day. I have already told her that I am bringing the camera and that I might cry. What am I saying I am pregnant and my baby is going to school of course I am going to cry. I also worry about her knowing what do to, but then again she is smart I do believe she will figure it out. She is going to do great I know it, I am just wondering about myself. Good luck to you and yours. I sure you will find something to do with your time during the day.
Comment by Jamie — August 9, 2009 @ 10:56 pm
This is probably a little off subject, but I am in Alabama. Our public schools all have uniforms and that is where the money comes in! 1 skirt runs about $40-$20, they are required to have certain shoes, belts and the one I thought was ridiculous is socks that are at least 3in above the ankle!! I lucked up this year and was gifted with barely worn hand me downs. anyways just thought i’d throw my 2 cents in on BTS.
I really hope this year to be a great school year for all!!
Comment by Lacey — August 10, 2009 @ 4:07 am
Good luck the house will seem so empty on that first day and my best advice do take that picture. maybe at your front door instead of at the bus.
Comment by tammy — August 11, 2009 @ 7:30 am
Good luck! What a change in your day to day activities.
Oh and I agree with the previous poster… Take pictures. But I bet you will do that anyway.
And I’ll buy some of your old Sonlight curriculum!
Comment by DW — August 15, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
I have five children. I homeschooled the oldest three for years. I finally had to let them go to school after my divorce. My oldest was in 4th, 3rd and the baby at the time was going to Kindergarden. They were great academically but I had a lot of problems socially and this was at a Christian school. Basically my oldest daughter was teased because she was so smart and the teacher’s pet. My youngest son didn’t know how to sit still through the lessons because he wasn’t used to having to sit for so long, my 3rd grader did great. Since then, I homeschooled for a few more years and then they went back to school last year. My daughter did 7/8th together, my 6th grader and 2nd grader both had great grades in the beginning but towards the end of the year their grades dropped off. I wasn’t as involved last year as I usually am and that’s what I’m going to do differently. Your children will stand out. Homeschooling is a great base! Good luck.
Comment by Tanikka — August 27, 2009 @ 12:27 pm