Last week he reminded me that December 9th would be their 1-year anniversary. I can't believe he remembered the date. He's only in third grade.
December 9th was the day he and his sister began public school.
I've written about our journey from homeschool to public school quite a bit. I am less emotional now than I was at the beginning, more sure that this is right. For us. For now.
Nothing about school, whether you do it under your roof, your church's roof, or the state's roof, is perfect. Convictions, values, the child's needs, the parents' needs, lifestyle, safety, academic excellence, money, and goals--they all play a part in what can be a grueling decision.
My hope has always been that we could make a decision and that I would be able to rest in it. I don't arrive at decisions easily and once they're made, I tend to second-guess them. It's a torturous thing for all involved.
But this week I realized the sweetest thing. My kids have been in public school for a year and I have found rest in this reality.
I no longer cry. I rarely fret, not about school anyway. I am at peace with a reality that I didn't think I could feel peaceful about.
There are difficult days and things I don't like. I really miss the flexibility and downtime. Homework can be a waste of time. Grades are often too important. Standardized testing creates too much pressure and stress, something young kids shouldn't have to deal with. Books, lunches, instruments, and homework assignments have all been left behind on one day or another, stresses I didn't know when we homeschooled.
But then there are the gifts:
Devoted teachers who really care and guidance counselors who go to bat; new friendships that are so very sweet and old friendships that have been rekindled; read-aloud time in special needs classrooms; an invitation to bring my grandfather to a Veterans Day lunch; pajama mornings and parties and plays.
"Tougher and rougher" kids have taught my relatively sheltered children that not every child enjoys a life wrapped in love, provision, and needful boundaries. To and from commutes allow precious time for dialogue, debriefing, and even prayer. And this mom? She's less depleted and has more energy to just be a mom.
One year in, amid the good days and the rough ones, my soul is at a place of rest. And this? Is no small gift.
..........................................
Today, we're unwrapping the gifts of the everyday over at Emily's {Chatting at the Sky.} And we'll be doing it each Tuesday of December.
What can you unwrap?
{from Emily} Anything that causes you to pause and celebrate the moment. Not what will be or what is to come, but what is real and true this day: the messy, the lovely, and the unexpected. Share a photo, a story, or anything that offers a glimpse into your own journey of discovering the gifts in the midst of the ordinary.
Join us?
Thank you for posting this. We have begun to consider next school year, and whether the best choice for our family would be to put our kids in the local public school. I never thought we'd even consider it! I have had your journey and the experiences you have shared here in my mind and heart as we think and pray through these things. I am glad to know that you still believe it was the best decision for your family. :)
ReplyDeleteI've done a similar switch with my kids when we moved nearly four years ago from private school to public and I agree with all you have said here. Couldn't have said it better myself.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things i noticed immediately was all the hand sanitizer hanging off "the girl's" bag! It just cracked me up. I hope I can get to the place of rest you speak of. Right now it's rollercoaster land
ReplyDeletejulie
I did all three growing up (homeschool, public school, and private school), and loved aspects of all of them. We are still unsure of which we will choose for our own kids, but I know that God uses each avenue! How courageous of you to boldly switch to what God was calling your family to do!
ReplyDeleteMy children have always been in public school, and have done well. Just this year, I pulled my 12yo daughter out to homeschool her, while working full time. We are off to an okay start. We simply need to make the best decisions for our own children. So thankful your kids have adapted well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. My homeschooled children just started public school yesterday! The kids are in 5th, 2nd and K. This is their first time ever in a school setting. I am grateful to say that it was a good first day.:)
ReplyDeleteI came across your blog while researching making a transition from homeschool to public school. I can relate to your posts in so many ways. Thank you for being so bold to share your story. It has encouraged me tremendously!