Susy's first bath
Vasi's first bathI remember watching both of my daughters experiencing their first baths at the hands of the hospital postpartum nurses. Both nurses were kind and gentle and cheerful with my hour-old babies. I watched with rapt attention as their little scalps were massaged with baby shampoo, and rinsed under the soothing rushes of water. I giggled, both nervously and in complete awe, at their little squeaks and fidgetings, as I watched their vernixy limbs and fingers stretch with newfound freedom. Would this nurse drop my baby in that shiny porcelain sink? Would she accidently get water in my baby's eyes? But these nurses were experienced, efficient, and used to calmly performing their duty under the scrutinizing eyes of hormonal, crampy, sleepless and vigilant mamas.
"What a great job," I thought wistfully, "she gets to wash new babies all day long..."
A week or so after Susy was born, I was looking at pictures of her birth. Before, during, after... Job was right there with the camera during it all! Then I saw the photos of Susy's first bath and it hit me: I wish I could have done that. You know, give her her first bath. Even if it meant clamboring up from my hospital bed and standing barefoot, in my thin gown... I would have liked to have done it myself. Not out of distrust or fear, but just "because." It would have been special. You know? Does that make any sense? And I still feel that way... so perhaps it wasn't just the high surge of post-partum protectiveness hormones talking?
My kids are growing so quickly. My oldest "baby" is now officially 3. Kindegarten is another two years away, and, even now, she is old enough for pre-school. But before I send her anywhere, be it pre-school or eventually public school or one of the local private schools, I really want to thoroughly examine "homeschooling" as an option. Not out of distrust or fear, really, but "because"... sort of like wanting to give my newborns their first bath. Learning is a big thing. It's special, it is exciting, it is challenging, and I want to be there.
Just like the amazing, cheerful, cooing nurses who tended to my daughters, there are educated, brilliant, wonderful teachers out there who would educate my children beautifully. But I feel thankful for the option to homeschool... I feel like I'm at least asked, "Do you want to try?" And even if my "trying" only takes me as far as gleaning a lot of neat information, and then sending the kids off to "school" school, then at least I took a stab.
So, homeschooling Mamas: what works? And, if you are reading this and you were homeschooled yourself, then I beg: what worked for you? What didn't? I'd like to take the next few weeks/months/years to learn more about the different approaches and options. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks, in advance!
10 comments:
what a sweet post. i've thought long and hard about this too. there are so many reasons why i want to try, but my biggest one is that i really want her to maintain her innocense as loooooong as possible. there are so many kids in public school that my kid would sit by every day, whose parents are not as vigilent in this pursuit and that really bothers me. they enroll their daughters in booty shaking, pelvic gyrating dance classes, listen to obscene music all the time, and the list goes on. i myself was influenced horribly in public school, and made A LOT of poor decisions and became a completely peer-dependent person. but it is tough...i want my kids to be well-rounded, to see other's points of view besides their parents. i wouldn't have wanted to be with my mom every day. it's sad because i know hannah would love going to school. i just don't feel i can trust schools even though there are some wonderful and brilliant teachers and really great kids. the bad apples kinda ruin it for me, you know?
I was just thinking about this yesterday....I think there are a lot of reasons to homeschool or not to, but one reason I think it sounds appealing is simply because children are growing in their spiritual formation and self-awareness all their lives, but particularly in these formative years. I feel like parents need to be there for kids during this time to help nurture the delicate seedlings of faith within them. If they are "hardened off" too soon, they will wither.
I think for each kid, that "hardening off" period comes at their own time, and the parent is the most qualified to make that choice for each kid!
This is a subject so close to my heart, as you know!
Love you,
Carrie
We home school. We've actually done it both ways. My oldest was in public school for 1/2 of 1st grade through 3rd grade. My second was in kindergarten and 1st grade.
I completely agree with both Lauren (sounds like me) and Carrie.
Home schooling is not easy, but it is very rewarding!
This is a loaded question for me. I wrote a bunch of stuff but then realized that I was being completely biased. I will back up the truck.
There are pros and cons in both directions and I think the best thing is to first GIVE IT TO GOD!!!! Ask for wisdom and direction daily!
I HIGHLY recommend reading any book by Dr. Raymond Moore...my favorite is "The Successful Homeschool Handbook." My library has this book and so maybe yours will. I LOVE that book.
I also recommend any book written about or by Charlotte Mason.
If you have any questions regarding my biases I'd be happy to chat privately via email. ;)
I understand, although I was completely relieved the nurses did it instead of me! :)
If ASA doesn't make it, I always said I would homeschool. Not to sound cliche, but the world is so different now than it was "when we were kids." On the opinion side, i am 100% with the comments already stated here :).
Although I don't have anything helpful to say about how to homeschool, I wish you courage as you pursue finding more about it!
I always feel so conflicted about foraying into new areas of parenting. On the one hand, I crave information and advice from my more experienced and knowledgeable parents/friends. At the same time, I am easily overwhelmed by the information and "advice" -- particularly regarding hot-button topics. I sometimes through up barriers (fear & pride?) to stop the drowning sensation brought about by TOO MUCH INFORMATION and the emotional pressure.
Me, me, me... all this is to say, I hope you don't suffer from similar tendencies and can soak up all the helpful information out there. Ultimately, whatever is best for parent and child and everyone's salvation. And what works best for one child, may or may not be best for both.
May God and Panagia guide you clearly! (The Three Hierarchs, one of whom I know you regard highly, are also great intercessors for Education.)
xoxoxR
Call me-I'll help you out!
Aunt Helen-16 year veteran :)
P.S. And this is exactly why I homeschooled, to start..
P.S. After having homeschooled, I would do it all over again. It was not always easy, but it was one of the most rewarding things we have ever done. By God's grace, my children followed their dreams, grew as He intended and are still doing well. That being said, a strong faith community like you have will be such a blessing. The richness of the homeschooling culture is out there, ready to be found. Plenty of support is available.
I think homeschooling is what kept my family whole. In addition to the Moore books ( I read every one of them) the John Holt books are good, and there are more than space to list. Incidentally, I came up with a list of pro-homeschooling points and one con (socialization) and I would strike the con and say even socialization works in homeschooling, just not the popular kind :)
Anyone that thinks that homeschooling deprives kids of this great thing they call "socialization" must not remember their own childhood. 90% of everything awful that ever happened to you between the ages of 5-18 was directly related to the petty, hateful, and ignorant peers with whom you were forced to "socialize."
What a great topic! I sent Hannah to the public school for kindergarten. Olivia went to the pre-school where I work, then we decided to homeschool...and I find it to be the best thing. Sure we have struggles, but I think it's worth it. The WAY in which children are pushed (peer-pressure and also by teachers to read, when they may not be ready, for an example) doesn't seem to be a good learning environment. I think learning should be fun and that's why I homeschool.
We homeschool two boys, 3rd grade and kindergarten. My husband and I decided before we were engaged that I would stay home and we would homeschool. We have made many sacrifices, but I am so glad that we give our children their education. We chose this path because we are able to put their spiritual growth first, as well as attending services and praying at home.
We also got some very wise advice from a seasoned homeschooling mom. Take it one year at a time. Evaluate your decision every summer after the school year is done. I can do anything for one year, I can do anything for one month, I can do anything for one day and with boys - I can do anything for 10 minutes! It is the best decision we ever made to homeschool our boys and really you are already schooling your children.
Angela in VA
I have been going through the same internal debate about homeschooling. There is a fairly large and successful Orthodox private school here in Houston, though. I think we will give that a chance, so long as we can afford it. Good luck with your search. I will be interested in seeing what you end up doing.
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