And here we are again

Over a year later, we are back on the homeschooling track, be the course as it is.

 This is what we have learned:

Online schooling is great, and does have all the advantages I expounded on previously.  It did not work as well for our family though, and not what we would choose to do again.

Public schooling is not what it was 30 years ago when we were in school. It is not as safe, educational, or enriching.  One of the saddest, yet most telling statements that we have said over the past month is "We don't send our kids to school to learn."   It wasn't said in a lamenting fashion, but more matter of fact while we sat in cramped principal's office discussing how Snickers had been tormented by other boys on the playground and on the bus, and how we could make a safer environment for him.  The bottom line, the school couldn't.

The school also couldn't make a safer environment for Starlet, who came home scared and with black eyes.

The school also couldn't alleviate the stress that consumed Sunshine as she raced through the halls to make her sure her siblings were safe, being late to class in order to walk them to theirs.  She skipped her own lunch and recess to make sure that Snickers and Starlet were able to eat theirs safely. 

So now where are we?

Now we are edging closer to enabling what should have probably always been.

We are going to make sure our children learn and grow at the pace that is appropriate for them. 

They are going to get to explore and be enriched.

They are going to be safe and secure.

Are we going to use a designated curricula like the big all in one bundles you can buy?

 Probably not.  But we do have a plan for the information to be presented over the course of the year, and how we are going to do it.   A plan, like a map.  A treasure map....and education is the greatest treasure....hmmmm maybe we could be pirate theme this year.  Yes I am exactly that cliché and geeky.