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Kathryn
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| Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 9:36pm | IP Logged
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My daughter has attended Catholic school for 4 years and my son 2 years. However, we're going to be new to this HS lifestyle this Fall and the parish school starts tomorrow. I'm feeling verrrrrrrrrrrry sad! I LOVED school growing up and everything that went with it...the teachers, the rooms, the friends, the work, the projects...all of it! And my 10 yo DD is the same way. When I mentioned homeschooling her brother last Winter (mainly b/c he is so NOT into school and everything that goes with it), she decided she wanted to be HS too. I don't reallllly know all her reasons but I know she's going to miss the whole school experience and may be that's why I'm sad b/c I know what she'd be missing too. She does seem excited so may be this isn't about her but about me. Sooo, please feed me encouragement as I start this journey. I'm still not ready and have a lot of emotions about it all.
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 9:44pm | IP Logged
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Stop thinking about what they might be missing and think of all the wonderful things that they will GET by staying home. Spending the day with mom when so many don't get enough time with their parents for starters  Freedom in what you learn and when. Flexibility in schedule. Being able to take lessons or such during times when it won't be crowded, being able to go to museums and such when it's not crowded. Following your dh's work schedule rather than trying to reconcile two schedules..
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 9:48pm | IP Logged
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Kathryn wrote:
| I LOVED school growing up and everything that went with it...the teachers, the rooms, the friends, the work, the projects...all of it! |
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Dear Kathryn - hugs to you. I could have written your quote above 5 years ago - I wanted to homeschool for years - but I had loved school so much that I felt bad that my kids would not have the same experience, so we had our kids in parochial school for a couple of years. But I can tell you now after 5 years that this has been the very best thing we ever did and despite many struggles - health and otherwise - it has been such a blessing. None of my children has ever wanted to go back to school and neither have I.
Prayers for you and your children.
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Marilyn
Blessed with 6 gifts from God
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 10:11pm | IP Logged
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Oh, Kathryn...big  to you!!!
First, let me say that you can plan and make book lists and organize, but you're never really ever completely ready...you just jump in with a leap of faith trusting that God makes up for all you may lack, and some days that's a lot! We all just *jump* in hope and faith at some point in the year. So, choose your day and make your leap of faith and step into the vocation with joy.
I love the vocation of homeschooling...I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I love learning alongside the children. I love that our days are a part of a dialogue in which they feel completely involved in their own education. I love that they constantly surprise me with their abilities. I love that we can fully immerse our family in the liturgical year. We adjust our schedule to fit our needs, not the other way around. There are so many reasons I love this family centered lifestyle!
Focus on all the positives, step out in joy, know that Our Lord does not expect perfection and that He will provide for all you lack. Look at this as if through the eyes of your son and daughter...see their excitement. They just want to be home with you, learning alongside you! Allow yourself to embrace all the little moments in your day that bring joy and I think you'll find these add up to be of so much value far outweighing anything you could have ever imagined!!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Mary G
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| Posted: Aug 13 2009 at 6:24am | IP Logged
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Y'know Kathryn, the funny thing about homeschooling is that you can have all the fun parts of "real school" that you remember -- field trips, fun projects, cool teachers -- without all the wasted time, silly things that go with "real school".
For opening this first year ... take them to a bookstore and let them pick out the first read-aloud ... or their first book report book ...
go on a field trip to celebrate NOT having to start school
hook up with other local homeschoolers and meet at the pool for a welcome back party
try out this prayer from Alice Gunther's book, Haystack full of Needles ... a must read for you by the way
and come here often for help, advice or just to help know that you're doing the right thing!
The reason I can say all this is I (and many of us here) go thru the angst of worrying if we're doing the right thing ... but remember, God gave your children to you and your husband for a short time ... they'll soon go off on their own and you need to build the relationships now that will carry them thru the stressful times later! Pray pray pray is the best advice!
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Bethany
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| Posted: Aug 13 2009 at 6:52am | IP Logged
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Kathryn,
I'm sure it will be an adjustment for all of you. My school experience was good, but I always was waiting for life to begin. Even as a child, I knew so much of what happened at school was pointless and a little silly.
Just yesterday we read The Art Lesson by Tomie DePaola. If you've never read this, please do. It almost makes me laugh out loud because the school scenes are so true to life. It reminds me of the times when everyone had to put their heads on their desks because one person was talking  .
I've been wanting to come over your way for a couple of field trips, so pm me and maybe we could meet up some day.
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Bethany
Wife to Mike, Mommy to Amelia (6/02), Sarah (10/03), Martha Grace (10/05), Rebecca Anne (12/07), Laura Catherine (3/10) and Reed Michael 7/4/14.
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Topic: New to HS...need encouragement
