Surprise

Perhaps it's not too surprising to some people. People closest to me know I have thought about home schooling for years. I imagined it for myself before I'd even had kids.

I half-started when Char was supposed to enter Kindergarten. After a few days together (and a 6 month old brother and 3 year old sister) she ended up doing a Pre-K year at her preschool and jumped right to first grade from there. Then Margot started Kindergarten and we just forged ahead.

Before they were school-aged I read a lot about home schooling, un-schooling, life learning. Thought about it. Had friends who did it. Most of time believing it would be right for us but just never taking the leap.

 Later when they started school I didn't really feel wrong about them being there but I just didn't feel like I was being genuine either.

It's a little hard to explain and maybe I don't even need to but I know I'll keep trying. 

Since the start of this school year the voice inside me grew stronger and stronger.  I had never really talked about the idea with them but found myself bringing it up now and then.  Every time one of them said they hated school or didn't want to go I felt torn apart. 

I kept going to yoga.  I was looking for answers.  That's as new age, mumbo-jumbo as I get! 

Then this past Tuesday when the girls got home from school I got some pen and paper and we started writing down our thoughts. What would it be like if I didn't got to school everyday? What would be different? What worries me about that? What sounds good, bad, scary etc?

Charlotte withdrew. What about learning? Her friends?

Margot got excited. So excited she was ready to start the next day.

A mental health day (or three) was in order. We all spent a few days together trying on this new idea.

Margot's excitement continues to grow.

Charlotte is still considering her options. She was always the kid I imagined being happier at home. A little more reserved and anxious about being out in the world. Yet loves being with kids and hates missing things. Next week she'll take some time at home and think some more. I think in the end she'll want to stay home too.

Today we went to Margot's school and visited her teacher and classmates. We shared our news and tried our best to explain a concept that was pretty foreign to her friends. She got a lot of hugs but never stopped beaming. She is diving headfirst into her new identity as a "home school kid."

I hope to use this blog to share our adventures and would love for the kids to do some posting too.