Homeschool Life

Things have not gone as anticipated. 

School was supposed to begin on August 13th. The governor pushed it to September 8th and the school board agreed. We were just a little glad, because we would have missed the first week due to our Florida trip and the 14 day quarantine required after returning. 

We were given the choice to either enroll our children as "in-person" or "remote" learners for the fall semester. It wasn't an easy decision. The details of either plan were foggy, at best. Kids going in person would be returning to a new reality...masks, social distancing, intense cleaning procedures, no singing, no playing, no talking. It didn't sound great. But the remote sounded even worse. Kids on laptops all day, no friends and no free time for mom. 

We chose in-person. 

They told us our decision would be final until the second semester. And then they changed the game. New mandates came out. Kids would be required to mask all day, no breaks...even during recess. Answers to old questions on the district website were revised without notifying the parents. The health board released gating criteria that made it clear that it would be unlikely for any of the kids to see the inside of a classroom this year. The board made new decisions, parents got angry, parents got organized and then the decision got revised. 

Again. 

And again. 

And again. 

After we were told that the kids would be masked all day, even during recess, I switched the little girls to remote learning. The very next day, I pulled them out completely. 

And now I'm a homeschooler. 

We have started the process every homeschooling family goes through. We've revised the schedule 14 times. (this one is ancient history)

We are constantly reinventing ourselves...our work stations, our standards, and our emergency napping needs. Someone cries over something everyday. 

The laundry is neglected and meals leave a lot to be desired. 

But there's an upside too. 

The dogs are in heaven. 

I know exactly where my kids are. They are safe. They aren't exposed to all the harmful elements of public school....and I'm not talking about the coronavirus.

PE is a highlight of the day....(Mark's in charge!)

We have time for crafts and cooking and science experiments!

Now, let's all hope and pray that the older kids will be allowed to go back to school when the board meets again on Sept. 22nd. Poor Laney is going to have carpel tunnel if something doesn't change soon. 

Or maybe we'll just invite her to be a homeschooler too. I think I can handle it. I just need to schedule an additional nap in between recess and our cow milking lessons.

This homeschool mom doesn't shy away from the lactation unit!