Education's Journey

It's amazing the amount we can learn about ourselves by talking with our kids...isn't it?

As you know, I was a little down in the dumps the last couple of weeks. After much thought, consideration, and preparation...I figured out a way to give my kids the time they need....only to have them tall me they no longer desire it.

Well....of course that wasn't the case at all. My kids had just given up on empty promises. I kept telling them, time and time again, that things would get better. We'd figure out a schedule that works for everyone...next semester would be easier because there were fewer/more night classes...things would get better with time...and all of that. But nothing changed. Over and over again, my schedule kept getting fuller and fuller. And there was less and less time for the kids.

Lexa doesn't really want to go to public school. She just feels like she's missing out. She didn't realize all of the opportunities that surround her, because we simply haven't had the time to explore them. She loves her freedom, and thrives when she can devote her energies to enjoyable things...what kid doesn't? She doesn't want to give that up for a couple more friends. She also felt like she was missing out on field trips, since we haven't done much this year. A trip to the safety train in the fall, and one to the earth fair this spring was nothing compared to our "normal" yearly activities. A gentle reminder of the trips to the water treatment plant, the hospital, the fire station, and the bat presentation last year, as well as the week we spent down in Virginia and Pennsylvania two years ago...all sparked tons of ideas for later this year... That is, once she realized I wouldn't be working next school year.

She's now saying that perhaps 7th or 8th grade she'll go check out what public school is all about. But for now, she's happy with where she is.

Allen has recently begun to make some friends in the neighborhood. He's finally at the age where he can walk a block or two with his sisters. And this week we let him ride his bike down to the park!!!(only three blocks away :).) He's getting that feeling of independence that is so necessary for a 6 year old little man! He's still talking about school...and that's ok!! We'll just play it week by week...instead of going head over heals and getting ourselves in a tizzy:)

Kassy is still not much more than a baby. I know...four years old is almost all grow' up...but you parents know what I mean.... She's going to mimic whatever her older sibs are doing/saying at the time. I can't expect her to be gung-ho for unschooling when all of her sibs are either in school or talking about it, now can I? She loves her time with her momma, and wouldn't trade it for a backstage Hanna Montana pass....er would she???? I'm not so sure about that one, but she does love it.

She and Allen have just started this reading games thing. (It's a Kindergarten assessment tool, but they have no idea it anything related to "school". They just know it's fun and they feel good about themselves after playing!) Allen is getting the hang of the sounds letters make, and Kassy is right on his toes!!! YEAH!! They both love library day too. They go searching for treasures on their own, and then come and ask me or the librarian for help finding what they're looking for. They come home with everything from Goosebumps movies to I Spy books to Science Fair Project books. And they love exploring them on their own and with an older person to read to them.

Anyway. I just wanted to share with you all, that I am no longer as depressed as I was a week ago. My kids do love me, and they don't want to leave me. They just want more OF me.....they don't know what their asking for, do they???
Mwahahaha