That’s what Savannah is calling it: School at Home.
She asked me yesterday when we were going to start school at home and I told her today would be our first day. Homeschooling is something I was strongly considering next year for kindergarten, leaving the kids in half day preschool this year only a few days a week. But in December Jeremy and I were doing and re-doing our budget, trying to cut costs where we could, and well, it came to my attention that we could save $200 a month by cutting out preschool.
I’ll be honest, at first I thought of those precious 2 days a week when I drop both kids off and have 3 whole hours to myself! I would miss them for sure. But when I dug down deeper and really thought about how it might be to have them at home, I began to see some positives.
For one, I am a total homebody and getting the kids up and dressed and out the door by a certain time 4 days a week (5 if you include Sundays) really gets on my nerves sometimes. And the amount of time spent dressing children, brushing teeth, preparing bookbags, and getting myself ready can take close to 2 hours, especially if you count all the conversations about why he can’t wear pajamas to school and the reasons she should comb her hair! Gosh, can you imagine all the things I can do in those 2 hours instead?
Second is the financial aspect of saving money not only by keeping them home but also saving money on gas by keeping the SUV parked in the garage!
And thirdly, I like my kids. I know sometimes it may not seem like it (hee hee) but I really do. Not just love them, but I think they are cool and fun and what better way to spend my days than with cool, fun, silly little people?
I think it’s going to be a great experience for all of us and the timing is perfect. I mean, let’s say it really doesn’t work for us and the whole thing is a total flop? Well, at least I found out before kindergarten starts next fall and we can figure out where she’s going to go to school. But if it’s something that our family enjoys doing, then I am very excited because I think there are tons of good reasons to homeschool children, and I’ll be thrilled if mine can benefit from some of them too.
6 Comments
You will be so great at home schooling, Joid! Good for you! (and the kids)
I agree – now is the perfect time! Emery has been going to preschool just long enough to understand that it is a structured tiime for learning, so school at home will be too! And, it can be over in May. I think that gives you just enough time to see if it is actually something that works for your family! If not, there is always Kindergarten next year! At
I think the way we choose to educate our children is so important. It sounds like you are doing the right things to make the best decision for the kids. And what a great time to get your feet a little wet before diving in head first!
Jodi, I would love to hear your ideas, and what you’re doing for school at home. We started this with Ryan back in September, but had gotten REALLY slack through the Holidays. Next week we’re going back in full force.
I’ll be praying for you! We love homeschool and it works because it’s God plan for our family. I’ll pray that if this what God wants for you all
that it will be very clear to you. I will say that school in your pj’s can be really fun on these cold mornings. :)
Blessings!
steph.
Oh good for you!!!! We homeschool now and I wish we had done it all along with our Son. (He went to public school, k-4). Daughter started Kindergarten last year and has not been to public school. I can really see the difference. Both of them are doing great and I love knowing EXACTLY what they are learning from books and from others.