One month on..my feelings

Today marks one month of homeschooling here at Sunnyside! I thought I'd share with you how I've been finding it as my role has now expanded somewhat to include "teacher".

Almost as soon as we began home schooling, I saw a change in the children - a peacefulness. Zai began to come out of his shell & I truly feel that I've got my boy back. Zai was always eager to home school, so was very excited to begin. He's a hard worker & quite willing to try all the exercises I set for him. Ellie on the other hand did not want to home school. She loved the social side of school & had made some nice friends. We were pleasantly surprised however when after a week of home schooling she told us that her friend wanted her to go back, "but mum," she said " can I please stay being home schooled? - I don't want to go back to big school". I have also seen her blossom so much. She has also grown academically. I think the limited distraction has meant she can fly through her work - in fact the other day she surprised me by picking up a book that I thought was much too far above her level (she had never heard it before) & reading it perfectly!!!

So I have been encouraged by their academic & emotional growth, but my absolute favourite time of the day has been our devotions each morning. We start our school day with devotions & I have so much fun coming up with activities to compliment our lesson of the day. I've just loved watching their spiritual lives blossom through this!

I have always loved "teaching" so it's not a big stretch for me to fill this role, however probably the time taken out of my day is the most difficult part. Until our workbooks come (hopefully next week - post takes a long time here) I've had to do lesson plans for each day - I endeavour to do this in the evening so this takes some time & creativity (I do enjoy it a lot though!). Also just the morning hours being filled means that I have had to reorganise my day- but then, I expected that.

Most days have been fantastic - every one's ready when the bell rings (yes,corny I know, but I do ring a bell- saves me yelling at the children to come inside as by this time they are always playing outside) at 9am & all lessons are completed & checked before we have lunch. However there have been the more difficult days as well - usually when we've had a late night the night before. These are the days when we have tears & tantrums & learning is very, very difficult - usually these are the times the twins want to be right there "helping" as well. I will say that these have been minimal so far, but definitely we've had those days.

Dave & I were discussing home schooling the other day & we both agree it is one of the best decisions we've made for our children. We just love the freedom, the positive changes & the peacefulness in our household that have come with it. Instead of dreading Mondays, we now look forward to each & every day.

As for the local community's reaction (something that truthfully was a factor in us taking so long in deciding), well, I think they just think we're strange. Thankfully home schooling is growing in Australia & most people have heard of someone who home schools, so it's not a completely new concept for them (although we are the first in this area). Since we don't have the correct bloodlines, I don't think we'll ever truly be considered "locals" - so they just think we're weird city people.

Looking at this photo- maybe they're right!!! LOL

Probably the thing I do wish the most for is that there was someone else close by who also home schooled. I'm thankful that we have the home school group that meets once a month (at the city an hour away), however the closest other home schoolers are 3/4 of an hour away & I think the isolation has probably been the most difficult factor for me - this was also expected.

Overall for our family, I truly do believe we were meant to home school. Why we took so long to come to this decision - I don't know - it's just us, we always take a while to think & rethink & rethink decisions. I am so thankful to God for this opportunity to spend more time with these beautiful children that He's blessed us with - I really do see this as such a privilege!