One Month Update

Our official start date was January 6th. We’ve just completed our 5th week so technically we’ve been homeschooling just a little over a month. Here’s a little update on how things are going.

I remember how anxious I felt to withdraw her from public school. I nearly drove myself crazy over worst-case scenario possibilities. It all seems a little silly now. As I anticipated, homeschool is easier than what we were doing before. Things have been going well. So well, in fact, that this month has kind of flown by. It’s certainly been an adjustment but wasn’t nearly as terrible as I imagined it would be. We found our groove pretty quickly, in my opinion, and have been swimming along ever since.

I’m still using the Easy Peasy All In One Homeschool online curriculum. We started with 1st grade and year 1 because, basically, I didn’t know where else to start. A lot of it has been review for her, and I don’t consider that a bad thing at this point. In Math and English, we’ve been completing a few days at a time to try to move forward to a place where it’s slightly challenging for her. Her handwriting has improved tremendously and we are making a weekly run to the library because she’s blowing through books, even chapter books. She’s also involved in an Engineering for Kids class each Monday which she loves!

As far as socialization is concerned (because isn’t that everyone’s 1st ridiculous question/concern when you decide to homeschool), she plays with the neighborhood kids after school on the days that it’s warm. Unfortunately, there haven’t been too many days above the freezing mark but we take advantage on days that we can. She sees her friends at church each week and in her Engineering class. We also have family friends that she gets to see and hang with quite often. This coming week, we are going on our first homeschool field trip with several other homeschooling families. Basically, she’s getting plenty of socialization. No worries.

My hubby started a new job this month and he’s been on the road 4-5 days each week. That has been an adjustment in itself as we are used to having him around at least every evening. Being with my child 24/7 for days on end hasn’t been as awful as I anticipated. Our homeschool room makeover has turned out to be perfect for us and we spend the majority of our day in that area. Even when she’s finished with her schoolwork, she still likes to hang out with me while I do my work. This typically is fine but there are moments when I really just need her to be in another room for a little while. LOL!

Naturally, in the beginning, I was scared to death that I wouldn’t be able to accomplish my work tasks and be a homeschooling mom at the same time. So far so good. Granted, I haven’t really had to go into the office this month because it’s the slow time of year but working from home hasn’t been bad at all. Now that we’ve found our groove I’m able to work alongside her for a good part of the morning. We break for lunch and then I work another 2-3 hours in the afternoon. To stay on track, I typically need to work 4-5 hours each day and, so far, I haven’t had had any problems achieving that. I’ve been very pleased at how well she stays quiet when I have a phone call. If she needs something urgent, she writes me a note. I have scaled back on doula work but it’s a sacrifice that I knew was coming. I actually have enjoyed the break of not being on call constantly. Besides, it would have been super difficult with Mike’s new travel schedule. Once again, I feel like the Lord timed all of these changes perfectly. I’m also pleased to report that TV isn’t the babysitter every day. She keeps herself entertained pretty well which has been a blessing. However, I’m not ashamed to let her watch a Jessie marathon if needed so I can complete a project in peace and quiet.

Another item of note is that we are well ahead of Metro as far as school days. We have completed 5 extra days since they have been out quite a bit for inclement weather and holidays. I love being able to continue our regular routine without wondering what Metro is going to do and scrambling to find childcare or Plan B at the last minute.

Overall, I feel like we’ve had a great first month and a pretty easy transition into homeschooling. For this, I am thankful beyond words. Over the last week, I’ve noticed that she’s growing up right before my very eyes. She suddenly seems much more confident and mature. She looks and acts so grown up sometimes that I can hardly fathom it. It makes me beam with pride, yet my heart aches at the same time.  I was reminded this week that she’s going to be grown (for real) before I know it and definitely before I’m ready for it to happen. I don’t know how to explain her sudden change but I am grateful that I now have the opportunity to spend more time with her on a daily basis.