Introduction

The end of this school year marks a very significant transformation for our family. It is my youngest son's "graduation" from 6th grade and my daughter's "graduation" from 2nd grade, and the beginning of our education at home. Oh, these aren't my only two children. We are a family of seven all together. A quick introduction of my blended and multiracial (Caucasian and Hispanic) family: my husband, Roy; my "first" stepson, Jr.; my "first" son, Aaron; my "second" stepson, Corey; my "second" son, Wolfie; and my daughter, Drew. Oh, and of course, myself. Hi, I'm Karen. My two oldest children have graduated and the third eldest is graduating this year, and all did very well in public school, with very few "issues". Unfortunately, our school district is going through many of its own major transformations of which I have been very unhappy, but that is not what this blog is about.

I've decided to blog about our homeschooling experience because it is one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make. It is also one that I don't expect to receive a lot of support or enthusiasm from my extended family, simply because they love my children as well and share a concern for their wellbeing too, so I acknowledge their desire to be kept informed on our homeschooling developments. And as opposed to going through my rationale and daily events over and over with each of them, well, with this blog they can peek into our lives and gain the latest on our homeschooling news. Hopefully, it will offer them (and me) some relief as well. Don't get me wrong, I realize it's going to be full of ups and downs, good days and bad, productive days and not so productive days, doubts and confirmations, but I also feel that sticking it out is going to be half the battle. I believe kids crave information and education; I know mine do. They really amaze me with their brilliance.

I would also like to share that I am a huge self-doubter, so I cannot even begin to express the worries and what-ifs I have entertained. The last thing, the worst thing, would be that I make this transition only to realize that I have done a disservice to my children. I am sure every homeschooling parent has felt the same worries. And I am sure it comes with the territory. I mean, what-if this turns out to be too much responsibility for me and my children. What-if my children do not do well with this program. What-if we decide to re-enroll them in public school later, only to find out that they have fallen far behind. But then, I don't believe that setting a "d-day" of six months (or whatever) to decide whether to continue homeschooling or to return to public school is realistic either. I believe there will be a period of adjustment, for all of us, getting set-up, becoming accustomed to a new schedule and understanding how the program works. And maybe, we will be doing our studies year-around for a while, taking time off only here and there for family vacations. I also believe that part of the homeschooling experience is that the child progresses at his/her own pace, and could wound up graduating earlier or later than expected. You see, as easily as I can worry myself out of something, I can also rationalize myself back into it.

I first began checking into homeschooling about a year ago and found a plethora of programs and resources, and I have chosen, what I believe is, a fantastic program for our family. It was introduced to me by a friend already using it with her own children, and doing so very successfully. It is a "satellite school" which means we are enrolled in a full school program with some of the work done in books mailed back and forth, and other work done via the internet. They have staff and teachers available to help us with questions or concerns. They offer all the basics as well as a wide variety of elective classes.

Although enrollment doesn't begin until later, I decided to start blogging immediately because in essence, this is when the commitment to homeschool begins. With the research, discovery, rationale, and planning, and I wanted (you) to get in on this journey at the very inception.

Drew is very excited about homeschooling and I constantly find myself talking her into finishing out this year in public school. Wolfie, too, is excited with his main concern being his social life; so we are preparing him for that by ensuring him that he may continue to spend time with his friends. We will also look into other extracurricular activities.