Homeschool, oh homeschool, how I miss thee. (or is it thou?) The fact that I cannot figure that out tells me that I made the right decision in sending my children to professionals who can answer these types of questions definitively.
Sending #1 to “real school” has really changed our family’s rhythm. The days feel hectic and exhausting, but in a new way that I’ve come to loathe, and after nearly eight days of our new schedule, I’ve figured out why: I am no longer in charge, and I don’t like it.
I was really looking forward to #1, #2, and #3 being cracked down on by someone other than myself, but what I didn’t anticipate was that my life was about to be ruled by someone else too. First off, I no longer have the luxury of showing up places when it’s most convenient for me. No one at #1′s school cares that I have three kids who have aversions to the seams in socks. This creates quite a time-suck in the morning, that if I were in charge, wouldn’t exist. I don’t care if my kids wear flip-flops all winter, but the school does. So now we’ve got real problems. They must wear proper foot attire AND be on time. It just isn’t possible.
Additionally, #2 and #3 have come home with “homework” that essentially requires me to use scissors and construction paper in my spare time. I’m sorry, I can’t. I guess the school is unaware that I’m not actually counting on the kids learning, merely paying for a safe place to house them so I can do necessary tasks on my own such as stare at the wall and exceed my daytime phone minutes.
Forget about the amount of time I waste sitting in carpool lines four times a day, and the incessant packing of lunch bags, snack bags, backpacks, and tote bags, it’s too much. I much preferred the unscheduled days of leisurely pajama trips, sans shoes, to the Starbucks drive-through, and returning home to puzzles, books, Legos, picnics, and all the control I’ve ever wanted.
I JUST was thinking this other morning and we were rushing out of the house to get the 2nd grader to school. I had my preschoolers packed with their 2 snacks (which each have to contain 2 food groups) and their balanced lunches. It’s a lot of work just getting them READY for school! And that alone makes homeschool tempting. But alas, I work (the reason for the preschoolers going to school) so it’s kinda a necessary evil. I’m there with you!
Love the photo!
The morning routine (grind) is hectic, but it gets a little easier as the year goes on. I’m here to tell you there is a light at the end of the tunnel and evenutally they all go somewhere for the entire day!
I was sad for three days and then I got over it. It’s hard letting go, but nothing that can’t be fixed with brunch with friends and the ability to see a movie by myself in the middle of the day. Hang on friend!