School Days

Finally feeling like we are getting back into a routine with summer now being over and hoping that means I can also get back to blogging a bit more regularly. Last weekend we road tripped to visit family and arrived home with both Aaron and I waking up sick with a bad flu bug Monday. Silver lining, none of the kids got it and even though Aaron and I were both sick we were able to tag-team our way through the day, so grateful for that!

We officially started the school year September 1 and this year both boys are enrolled in Everts’ Fine Institution of Learning and Success, aka home school. Never did I think I would home school and absolutely never did I think I would do it for more than a year, but life comes and you adjust to what is best.

Despite every stereotype I had toward home schooling in high school I am now that mom who home schools. I have had other moms respond with, “wow you must have it all together” or “sounds like you are super mom”. Reality is, fake it until you make it.

Truth is there was a lot of prayer, discussion, discernment and a few sleepless nights that went into our decision to home school again this year. While I still may have moments questioning my sanity in doing it, I have many more moments grateful to God for the privilege it is and the joy it brings.

We have only been a family for 20 months and there has been a lot of adjusting during that short time, including me going on bed rest for 11 weeks and the addition of Grace to our family. Both of which the boys have handled with much grace and selflessness, but nevertheless it’s still big change for our newly formed family. The blessing of home school is I have time with them, all things put aside and the focus is on them. I love seeing how their minds work and hearing their thoughts.

After Grace was born in the middle of the school year last year I struggled to keep the school momentum going and was counting down the days until May. So I was really nervous how our days would play out this year, but we are getting in a groove and it’s working well.

A few things I have done differently this year that seem to help the day go more smoothly is have a set schedule and a sticker chart with earned prizes. The schedule helps the boys know when we will be done and what is expected from them. The sticker chart has really helped them to stay focused and try their best, because one draw back of doing school at home is the setting is not different and the teacher is just mom. The boys are also doing a co-op once a week where they do music, art, science, history and geography. They are in classroom setting and look forward to it every week. I absolutely love the co-op, plus I get to be with other moms.

It’s a school night I better get to bed!