Can you tell I have my mind on things other than bluegrass music lately? Well, I do. It is the month of August and that means the new school year is right around the corner. We just finished our last gig until mid-September last night, and my mind is getting pretty focused on school planning. Even the gig last night brought the issue of schooling to mind, as it was a homeschool conference.
I homeschool my six kiddos and have since the beginning. My interest in homeschooling started way back when I was a new mom in Japan. Ben and I were stationed there with the Navy. There was a family that lived down the street from us who homeschooled, and after observing their family for a year or two, I began to think there might be something to this idea of homeschooling.
After Japan, we were stationed in the Bay Area in California at Moffitt Field. The church we went to had a bunch of people who homeschooled. My interest in homeschooling grew. I started reading books about it and continued doing so until Clayton became old enough to start some schooling. By then, we were in Washington.
I was pregnant and nursing a lot during those early years of homeschooling, so I don't remember much. Truly, it is kind of a blur. But I know we did it because all the kids can read and do math. We found that it worked for us, and we continued on adding more books, activities and kids.
We decided to keep on with it into the high school years, though many thought us crazy for it. And we probably are crazy. No, we most definitely are crazy, but it makes life interesting.
But homeschooling has been working for us so far. We evaluate our decision each year, and so far we haven't found any reason to stop. My family has very close relationships because of the time we spend together. Also, the kids have kept an enjoyment of learning that is hard to come by in other educational options. And we love the flexibility and one-on-one teaching that it gives us. Truly, there are a lot of reasons why it works for us. I won't go into all of them here...but, ask me in person sometime, if you really want to know.
It is a huge job to homeschool a family this size. But each year, I am always amazed at how when I ask God to help me figure it out and make it happen, He always does. Ideas come to mind, resources are found, schedules coordinate, etc. It all comes together somehow, and my kids learn. And I learn too.
So, that is what I have been thinking about lately, and soon, I will be ready for the new school year. Clayton is beginning his Junior year and doing Running Start (dual enrollment program in WA). Clark is beginning high school as a freshman this year (he can finally quit asking me, "Does this count for college?" "YES!!" Technically, it all counts for college and LIFE!). Cam is beginning 7th grade, Caleb is beginning 5th. Kelli will be in 2nd grade and Katie will be three years old.
I think last year was my hardest year with having a toilet-training two-year old and student driving 16-year old. It was hard to know how to respond when someone said, "I had an accident."
Anyway, this year my load will be lighter with those two issues under control. It is looking like a great year ahead. And that is what I have been thinking about lately--with some bluegrass music playing in the background!
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