How we learn...

Our home school journey began in 2011.  At the time I was still teaching middle school Science.  It was my 8th year and teaching was what I had always wanted to do, besides being a wife and mommy.  Daddy was working nights like he has since our first kiddo was born and taking care of the kids during the day. Our son had completed his 2nd grade year in public school and we were heavy hearted about sending him back. 

He had been through many struggles in his short time in public school, from bullying to academics.  We thought this was just part of the process, we didn't really think we had a choice, I mean we survived public school...But did it really have to be that way, survive?  

When I talk about bullying, I am not talking about name calling. We had incidents of other students spitting on him, cutting his clothes, cutting him...this was unbelievable.  After many meetings the school was no help, they stated that the only constant in these instances was our son and insinuated that somehow he was to blame for the terrible things that were happening to him.  I was appalled I worked for this district, was this what it was like to be a parent here?!  How could we send our sweet boy to school to be mistreated each day.  

As if the bullying wasn't enough, we began to see that the structure of public school was depleting his love for learning.  In that world, there is not a lot of room thinking outside the box, for challenging the way things were done.  He struggled greatly with this and often felt defeated when he would get the right answer but be told he was wrong because it wasn't done the "normal" way.  What is "normal" anyway?

After many long conversations, prayers and more prayers, we decided to embark on this home school journey. And let me tell you, we haven't regretted a minute of it.  Daddy was the captain on this maiden voyage and let me tell you, he was amazing!  The kids adored getting to spend so much time with their Dad and he was amazed with their eager little minds.  Its been a challenge, but life if full of those, and the Lord never gives us more than we can handle.