Discoveries

Since we have made the choice to homeschool, I have discovered a few things:

1.  I am learning a whole lot more. 
For instance, I never knew why Palm Sunday was called Palm Sunday.  But thanks to this website, I now know that those that did not have jackets to lay down in front of Jesus' donkey, laid down palms to show their respect as He entered Jerusalem.  

2.  We take the time to explain something to our children.
Since we are now parents AND teachers, no question goes unanswered.   I have even found my husband finding a way to explain to a five year old how the world works.  No more, I don't knows, or I don't think you'd understand from us.

3.   The children actually want to be schooled.  
Now I know this will wane.  In fact, we are currently struggling with finishing a task and realizing that sometimes school has to be done while the little ones play.  It's a tough lesson, but an important one.  I read the other day (goodbye fiction reading, hello non-fiction!) that as kids begin school, we teach them to complete tasks.  Never before have they really had to do this in their play or creativity.  They jsut move on to something else when done.  But, one walks a fine line because you don't want to overdo it.  School should be fun as well as educational especially at a young age.

4.  My house has never been messier.
I am trying to come to terms with this, but find it a constant battle.   I have been working really hard to incorporate the kids into the cleaning and am happy to report that my 2 year olds will bring me their plates after they finish eating.  So what if the plate is held sideways and all the food falls to the floor, right? 

5.  My time is my own.  
This is one of my favorite things about homeschool.  No longer are we a slave to our activities.  We have a schedule, but sometimes things get bumped and we do a lesson on volume while in our tutus a few minutes before ballet, and sometimes we do science at 9:00 at night.  But, we get the lesson in and no one is pulling out their hair because they are stressed, too tired, or too hungry.

6.  I have never been happier.
For a whole year, the decision of whether or not to homeschool weighed on my shoulders.   I am so happy that my husband and I have come to an agreement.