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Just had to share…
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Just had to share something good that happened in the past couple of days. Hubby and I have spent a lot of time over the past couple of years discussing schooling options, and finally came to the conclusion (obviously) that homeschooling is the best option; and while we are pretty sure we will continue long-term, we are looking at the upcoming K-4 year as a “trial” year of sorts (with my son’s SPD, we just want to make sure we are absolutely making the best choice for him.)
I have been very nervous about talking to certain extended family members about our decision, esp. since one family member in particular has been very active in wanting us to seek out a preschool in our new location. I was most concerned about one sister (public school teacher with special needs kids…and an excellent one!!) and my MIL, who while very well-meaning, is extremely “by the book” about everything. So the other night, I realized I was lying awake dreading these conversations, and thought…I’d better just bite the bullet and tell everyone…
So I wrote an email to all concerned family members, discussing some things about DS and announcing our decision to homeschool in the upcoming year. The response has been overwhelmingly positive! The sister I mentioned sent me a sweet “good luck” email, MIL acknowledged receipt of the email and didn’t say too much otherwise; and all other family members were extremely positive. WHEW!!!! I’m so glad that’s over, and wish I had done it a little earlier…:)
That is awesome for you! I unfortunately did not have it so easy (and I thought I would). Some are starting to come around, but to have that support right off the bat… That is great!
Sara B.–I’m sorry your family hasn’t been more supportive. I do hope that they come around and you get the respect and support you deserve and want.
You know, a thought just occurred to me about how you might keep the momentum going with your family’s support (and perhaps draw in MIL as well). Perhaps every couple of weeks, or monthly, you might send out a brief update to those who received your “announcement,” sort of a light newsletter of what’s been going on in the XYZ Family Homeschool.
You could just include a few titles you’ve been covering, maybe mention an interesting nature study or picture/composer study, and add a cute anecdote or response your ds made during his lessons. It doesn’t have to be lengthy or too detailed, but it might encourage family members to support you all the more.
Just an idea….
Sara – I hear you – we have been homeschooling seven years now and my mother hasn’t discussed it with me once – but she brings workbooks (that we don’t use) all the time to “make sure the kids are learning what they need to”…..
On my husband’s side of the family, they say things like “Well, they SEEM pretty intelligent…. and they SEEM happy enough……”
Arghh!
Fortunately they all live far away 🙂
Gaeleen
Sue_mom–Thank you…what a lovely suggestion! I love the idea of a newsletter…with everything you mentioned, and maybe a photo of him engaging in one of his “school” activities. And you may be right; my MIL has always enjoyed update emails (we have never lived close), so this may be an excellent way to pull her in.
Sara and Gaeleen–I need to apologize for what seems to me (after the fact) to have been an insensitive topic to post about. I was so excited about my family’s support that I didn’t think about the fact that many people do not have that same wished-for support. I certainly did not mean to bring up negative thoughts. I am sorry and will try to be more sensitive in future.
Oh, do not apologize! It is the Lord’s will that we homeschool our children, and I honestly find it amusing the way the grandparents are about it. I have all the support I need from friends and pastor.
As I stated in my first post, I am genuinely happy and excited for you. I am glad you have shared your fears, and that your family is supportive. It is good to pray and celebrate together 🙂
Oh, no, don’t apologize! I was just saying how lucky you are and to count your blessings, and I am happy that so many are supportive of another family’s homeschool adventure. Though I may wish for that, I am definitely most happy to hear that they support your decision. Homeschooling is not always an easy choice to make, and many of us are persecuted for our decision. I think it’s getting easier, but slowly – at least among strangers… LOL But it’s the Lord’s will, as Gaeleen said, and so if I get support from family, great, and if not, oh-well, I have others who do support me in our decision, and that is good enough for me. I’m stubborn that way, though… 😉
I am happy that your family is supportive!
My dad supports me (he was a school teacher…), my mom doesn’t. Haven’t really heard much at all one way or the other from my siblings.
My husbands parents are deceased… but his siblings are against it (especially his sister, who manages a day-care.) My step-kids (all adults now) are mostly against it….
(that said, my step-daughter with 2 children may in one way be coming around after the amount of problems her son is having in school (bullying, a teacher who doesn’t seem to support him, etc…)
I am sure getting sick of the question of “Do you have to do any testing?” and basically how do we have to report to the government etc. (We don’t have to test… just indicate what we are planning to do, and then a report 2x a year on how it is going…)
My mom isn’t worried about the academics… she is worried that they will become the weird homeschoolers with no skills to make friends or ability to do things like go to the store on their own, etc….
Sara & Gaeleen–Thanks! 🙂 I feel a little better now. I am so glad to hear that you both have excellent support structures other than your family; that is a wonderful things. Seems that you both have that “family other than family” that God is so kind as to often give us when we need it…
That said, we are kind of in the opposite situation, come to think of it. I am even more grateful for my family’s support. Since with our frequent military moves, we have a very hard time plugging into churches and making new friends…it seems that just as we start getting settled and establishing a network, we are always leaving again.
Suzukimom-very sad to hear about the lack of support, esp. from your stepkids, and about your stepdaughter’s son’s experience in school. I’m sure you’re happy she may be coming to understand your choices better, but certainly not in the way you’d want it to happen. Poor kid. One of the many reasons we have decided to homeschool is that SPD is a very difficult disorder to advocate for in the schools. It is often just labeled as “behavior problems,” and not understood or accomodated. DS just learns better and focuses better in a 1-on-1 situation. While he is extremely smart and bright, I worry that he would be marginalized in school because of his different learning style. And I don’t want him to have to try to be a cracker-box kid!
And LOL about your “weird homeschoolers who have no skills….to do things like go to the store on their own” comment!! I love it! I’m sure your kids have excellent shopping skills.:) (I do think though that that comment is the sort of thing my MIL is worried about.)
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