Posts Tagged ‘Homeschool Co-op’
Learning to Homeschool
Posted on: September 10, 2013
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
Motherhood didn’t come naturally to me. But because it seemed like it came naturally to so many other moms around me, I was crushed when I found it to be hard and overwhelming. I’ve never once had someone tell me “You’re such a natural at mothering.” Nope. Not me. I work every day against my own selfish desires to parent and love my children. The work is hard, but the work is good.
Lunch time
However, when we started exploring homeschooling, I figured that teaching at least would come naturally. I naturally like learning and exploring. I naturally like teaching my children new ideas. I naturally like the concept of home learning.
But three weeks into our school year and I’m realizing I am going to have to work at homeschooling, just as much as I work at parenting.
And the learning curve is steep.
I’m figuring out how to mother and teach. I’m figuring out when Julia focuses best and when I’m most patient. I’m figuring out what this new role looks like for our family.
P.E. at Zilker
So, homeschooling doesn’t come as naturally as I hoped. But, I’m willing to fight for it. I’m willing to put in the time and energy it takes to learn how to teach my children. Just like I have fought for learning to parent over the past {nearly} six years.
And for me, fighting for something makes me value it even more than if it were to come “naturally”. So here’s to a cause worth fighting for!
Hannah’s First Day of Preschool
Posted on: February 2, 2012
- In: Life
- 12 Comments
Yesterday was Hannah’s first day of preschool. She started the two-days a week program at the same church where Julia has been going since last fall. Since Julia started “school” Hannah has been talking about going non-stop. While we do educational things at home when Julia is gone, I’ve certainly dropped the teacher ball after Joseph’s birth. To have the opportunity for Hannah to learn in a play-based way is going to be so great for her.
This photo says so much about my sweet girls’ relationship. Hannah, despite her spit fire personality, really does look up to Julia a lot. And Julia, ever the comforter, really does a great job of watching of Hannah.
Once we got to school, Hannah was a little miffed that she wasn’t going to class with Julia. She kept insisting that she was also four years old and needed to be with Julia and her friends. But, her teachers helped distract her with all the fun toys and games they had. As I left the building, I sneaked a quick peek in her room and she was playing and all happy.
When she came home, she was a ball of excitement with all the wonderful things she’d learned and done. She just loves her teachers and is so excited to finally be at school with her big sister and two neighbor friends.
It’s a bittersweet time now. I love that Hannah is getting to participate in such a great program. I love that Hannah and Julia have another way to bond. And I love being just with Joseph. But it’s a bit sad to see my sweet little Hannah growing up so quickly. She’s turning 3 {THREE!!} in just a few more months. How in the world did that happen? :sigh:
What adventures have you, or your children, had this week?
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
Julia’s First Day of Preschool
Posted on: August 25, 2011
- In: Life
- 12 Comments
Yesterday was Julia’s first day of preschool outside of our home. We’ve been “homeschooling” since last year. After taking off for the summer, we started back again at the beginning of August. But this week, Julia started preschool at a local church. Technically, it’s a mother’s day out program, but they offer lesson plans and curriculum for the students. Julia will be going Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-2. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we will continue her “schooling” at home.
I have to admit, I’m really excited for this new adventure for Julia {and our family}. Our family has really been exploring how homeschooling will look for us and doing something along the lines of a homeschooling co-op. With Julia’s preschool, we are getting our first taste of what a co-op could act as for us. Her preschool follows after Wee Learn, which incorporates biblical foundations through play centered activities. Every class has a verse of the day that the teachers focus on. We have the schedule through September and will be using those verses at home to help Julia with memorization.
While it’s very exciting, it’s still emotional. Hannah spent most of the day ask for Julia {quote “I want my sister!”}. When we picked Julia up, Hannah started crying. Julia ran up to her and showered her with hugs and kisses. They spent the rest of the afternoon playing together {and I should note, there was much less sibling fighting than usual – which is a major plus}. Jonathan was with us to drop Julia off and pick her up. He kept asking me while we were dropping her off if I was going to cry. I did get a pretty good lump in my throat, but managed to not shed any tears. However, when we talked about it through out the day, I did get sad. Not because I think this isn’t a great opportunity for Julia, but because I just missed my baby. We have her daily schedule hanging on our fridge, and it was comforting having an idea of what she was doing throughout the day.
Have your kids, or you, started back to school this week?
Visit Alicia at Alicia’s Homemaking for more Try New Adventures Thursday.
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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