This is the month.
THE MONTH.
The month people go back to school. (Were you expecting something else?)
We've homeschooled for twenty years. Twenty. You might think I know what I'm doing after all that. Three graduates and two more inching forward with 9 years until the finish line... In those twenty years we've tried all kinds of things:
- Workbooks
- A kinesthetic education
- Virtual classes
- DVD classes
- Hosting co-ops
- Library classes
- A Montessori approach
- Establishing a teen book club
- Attending small co-ops
- Creating fieldtrips
- Early college
- Attending LARGE co-ops
- Hosting parties and events
- Running a drama program...
We've run solo, done groups, and used a hybrid. It's always easy to up the scale/scope/commitment, but it's terrifying to scale down. I remember the days of going it alone, always wondering if I was doing enough, worrying about the balance of experiences...
This school year, we're pulling away from the major supports we've utilized since 2018. Going solo. To be fair, we have a strong support group of friends but stepping back means everything falls on my shoulders.
Thanks to our awesome co-hosts for the IWSG: Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim.
This month's question - What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
I'm going to skip the question this time, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.
What changes are you facing that have your heart pounding? Do you have a big dream you'd throw your status quo to pursue? Have you ever stopped to intentionally rewrite your personal narrative?
Well, if you've done it well with three all ready, you can make it on your own with the last two. No regrets!
ReplyDeleteTheoretically. But I tell you what, age takes a toll. I need ALL THE CHEESE to keep going some days.
DeleteYeah, you never know how long you have. So if you want to do something, do it.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Live to have no regrets, eh?
DeleteIf you can make that change for your dream, do it. Regrets in life come from what we didn't do.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. That's the last thing I want -- to get to the end of this life and wonder "what if?"
DeleteGood luck with your new homeschooling approach. After 20 years of teaching, you should trust your intuition on how to teach your last two kids.
ReplyDeleteI SHOULD trust it. LOL! What I don't trust is my ambition. Burn out is real, eh?
DeleteI agree with others, after 20 years--you've got this! And reaching for your dreams is a great lesson too.
ReplyDeleteA great, painful lesson. It's probably good they don't tell us how much pain goes into dream-reaching.
DeleteSounds like you're better prepared than me! I'm just getting by with staying afloat. But I do take my son to middle school orientation this morning, so that'll be fun.
ReplyDeleteHey, sometimes all we can do is keep our heads above water, and that was me for a good ten years or so. This too shall pass!
DeleteYou've totally got this! :)
ReplyDeleteI heard/read something awhile back that I try to keep in mind - if you don't ask/try, the answer will always be 'no.'
Totally! We've adopted the attitude that collecting no's is part of the journey.
DeleteIt is so weird to me that ya Americans go to school in August, like why oh why, when it is the hottest month in the year? We send our spawn to schools September 1st and to college October LOL I could not imagine teaching in August, what am I supposed to teach in shorts and flipflops? LOL
ReplyDeleteSchool used to start in September! Why have they moved it up? Probably because too many parents work full time and need to have their kids babysat. And yes, in Florida, we teach in shorts and flipflops. Well, I teach in pajamas. Often. *shrugs* Keeping it fun, eh?
DeleteGood for you! You are at the home stretch. That question stumps me.
ReplyDeleteHome stretch... Yeah. Okay. Eating more cheese...
DeleteYou've got this!
ReplyDeleteI like the quote :-)
Ronel visiting for IWSG day Unethical Publishing Industry Practices 2025
No more playing catch, then? It's in hand. =)
DeleteHomeschooling is on the rise for great reasons. I'd love to hear more about your journey. I'd even love to host you on my education blog. I talk about lots of alternatives to trad ed--even unschooling. My ed blog (https://askatechteacher.com) gets a lot of viewers but not many comments so it many not fit your needs. No worries. I'll be following your journey here.
ReplyDeleteJacqui, I'd be happy to come visit some time. I've mentored so many parents through the years as they try to get their feet under them on this unique journey. The problem is I have too much advice. Too much to say. LOL!
DeleteIf you've got a summary--maybe what you wrote here--I'd be happy to spotlight you with some linkbacks. No pressure though. Since it's an education audience, it may not work for any of your endeavors!
DeleteCongrats on taking the plunge! Cheering for you from North Carolina! @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
Thanks for the cheers! We all need that extra little boost sometimes, eh?
DeleteThat's a lot of years of homeschooling. Wow! Best of luck to you with the change. May it be all you are hoping for. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot of years. Like, professional level years. Haha! Maybe I need a break. Kidding. Kind of. But I've seen the results of my labors, which is why I carry on. We don't always receive that benefit.
DeleteGreat post! During COVID, I had my middle school-aged grandson staying with me. We worked on his homework together and I'm delighted to say I LOVED it. Wanted to become a teacher before I understood the nature of kids. That two weeks was long enough.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yeah, when you do it full time you have to find your happy place and ways to stay above water. And when you're teaching multiples at different grade levels... Well, challenges are meant to help us grow.
DeleteMy son and I did try eBus.ca for a bit an online school. It got him through to grade 10. From there he could apprentice. Time taught me not every kid can is made for regimented structure of brick-and-mortar school. They don't make allowances for the human factor aka a child.
ReplyDeleteI don't regret it. :-)
Anna from elements of emaginette
Right? And when your kids don't fit the mold, you can either let them sink or find an alternative that allows them to thrive. It's all about adjusting to the individual.
DeleteI homeschooled one of our offspring for a few months. I sent the offender back to public school as punishment for a major infraction.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I felt that way about one or two, especially at various stages. It's a learning process for sure.
DeleteI admire your ability to stick with the homeschooling. I never even wanted to try, and love that we have free public schools for those of us who can't/don't want to DIY! As for big changes... I"m hoping most of the big ones are behind me, but I know there are always surprises.
ReplyDeleteI never wanted to try either, then I had a very advanced student whose grades ahead of where he should be, there was just no good place for him in the school system. Oh, and living in New York City didn't help.
DeleteHome schooling five kids, WOW. I admire your hard work and creativity to accomplish such a feat.
ReplyDeleteSome days I echo your sentiment. Some days, I look at my friends who have twice as many kids and are homeschooling and have to bow down. But comparison is the thief of joy, right? Each of us has our unique path struggles.
DeleteI love this. We tried a lot of things while homeschooling, too. And, honestly, while my kids didn't always love my time chasing my dream of writing, they came to appreciate it more as they got older. They saw that I was determined, that I got things done, that I was willing to sacrifice for it. They saw my husband try a business (that unfortunately failed), and they saw us get up and keep going. And those were unintended lessons that stuck with them - not the official homeschool lessons, but the life ones that showed we could keep learning. So, best wishes on your big dream, on showing your kids that it's possibly to dream big and go for it! :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing! They are definitely shaped by the things they experience. As are we. Sometimes it's hard to keep that in perspective, but it's so important.
DeleteGood luck! Although, I'm sure with all those years behind you you're an expert by now.
ReplyDeleteYou know, as with any field, the deeper you get, the more you learn you don't know anything. There's always more to learn.
DeleteI homeschooled my two sons, and it was the best thing I ever did. Like you, tried about everything, and I really enjoyed the "flying solo" times probably the most. I look fondly on that time and all the amazing memories. It's great to step out and do the hard thing with your family and your writing. Wishing you the best this school year with your teaching and your writing!
ReplyDeleteI have often wondered if I'd only had two kids how much I would have enjoyed it. As it is, I always felt like I was taking a scatter gun approach with so many grades and needs. I think that's why we outsourced so much-- trying to keep me sane. Thankfully, being down to just the last two, I might be able to manage it.
DeleteI wouldn't have the patience to homeschool.
ReplyDeleteHaha, me neither. It's only in the doing that you obtain, eh?
DeleteHomeschooling successfully is quite an achievement! Congratulations and here's to your next major accomplishment!
ReplyDeletehttps://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/p/caged
Thanks, Lee! Working, working, working.
DeleteHonestly, my mom homeschooled me, sometimes with support from online schools, and sometimes completely on her own. It sounds like you're doing great, and will continue to do so! I think if you don't chase your dreams, you'll always wonder what could have been. It's all or nothing, and you're putting in your all, and that's amazing! Thanks for visiting my blog today, happy IWSG day!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Jess! And you're totally right. All or nothing. Here we go!
DeleteYou can do it. I homeschooled two of mine for a few years, all by myself (no coops or the like), and they reentered public school and did fine. Daughter even got an 'excellence in science' award at the end of her first year back. My worries about differences in scope and sequence were promptly put to rest.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about your production. It looks fabulous!
Each of my kids got one year of public education -- so the decision to homeschool could be theirs. That is, only my older kids. I don't know that I would do that to my younger kids with how dramatically the educational arena has changed. It was a different world only a few years ago.
DeleteThanks for the encouragement!
Yikes. Good luck. But with 20 years experience, you know what you know. That'll help.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Help. Yes. I need to stop being lazy about it though.
DeleteKudos for home schooling for twenty years and counting:)
ReplyDeleteMay all your dreams come true.
I'm having a Napoleon Dynamite moment here: If you vote for me, all your wildest dreams will come true.
DeleteHi dear friend Crystal, I know you can do this!!! Yes you can! I do really like the quote! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! You're the best!
DeleteI think homeschooling is a huge challenge for both parents and children. Kudos to you for doing it and being so successful.
ReplyDeleteI think LIFE is a challenge for both parents and children. It's all a question of how we want to navigate it and what challenges we choose because either path brings unique heartaches and struggles.
DeleteWow, 20 years of home school? You must have stories to tell.
ReplyDeleteI can’t wait for school to start. They actually moved the date a week earlier. Have a closet full of school supplies. And their grandma already bought them new bookbags in congrats to making it to and graduating from high school.
Definitely have stories to tell. LOL!
DeleteSo homeschooling is different. Once a kid reaches a high school level, they are pretty much directing their own education. (Depending on the kid.) That's why two of my three older ones had completed a bunch of college before graduation. That's the goal -- to make them independent learners who are driven to reach their own hopes and dreams.
I regret not homeschooling my kids. Go for your dreams!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you did great with them, however it played out. =)
DeleteSchool doesn't begin here until Sept. 5th. I think homeschooling, while it can be difficult, is now the way to go!! Good Luck! Love that quote!
ReplyDeleteThat's nice! That's the way it should be. With hurricane days, they kept inching it up here, and I think they kept it that way because too many parents both work outside the home and prefer it.
DeleteI agree! It is the way to go, but it's not for the faint of heart.
Best of luck with the upcoming changes!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteMy biggest problem right now is real life. Grandpa has just been put on hospice, and we're his caregivers.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that. Whew! Caregiving is so hard, so sweet, so much! I was with my father and helping with his care through that final stage. It definitely eats you up, but that season ends too. Sending love and support!
DeleteI agree that sometimes you have to make a change and risk it all to move forward, otherwise you are just existing, not living. My husband quit his high paying job that kept us very comfortable 3 years ago to turn my side hustle into a family business. There are times I'd love to go back to the mundane, but then I remember that I am trying to build something for future generations in this family and keep pressing through even on the hardest of days.
ReplyDeleteWay to go! *high five* Five years. That's what I'm hearing. 5 years is the you've-made-it mark for most businesses. Sending cheese to keep you going! The virtual kind.
Delete