The Rivenbark Homeschool Table
We pulled our kids from public school in the fall of 2021 as a result of the masking requirements for kids and started our homeschool journey. There is a possibility that our local school district will be making the masks optional soon, but I don’t think I’ll send them back. In fact, I don’t think I’ll even let the next kiddo in line go to public school at all.
When we made the decision to homeschool I cried. Literal tears. I was so frustrated about having to make this decision that I just could not take it. I was angry. I didn’t feel heard. I was in disbelief. However, now that we’ve been homeschooling for the last four months I feel like we’ve found a rhythm.
My kids learn at their own pace. They finish some subjects quickly and others take more time. We take days off when I have to work off-site, and are able to take trips to see family without being a slave to the local school schedule. There’s a lot to like about it.
Let me be clear, our homeschool is NOT PERFECT. When I first started I was terrified that it was now my job to educate them. I bought WAY TOO MUCH curriculum, and I feared that they weren’t learning enough. I stressed daily about what they did or did not do that day. I was militant about their work and the kids did not like it. Slowly, I learned to relax and trust that I was doing enough, and that they were in fact learning. Now I allow more time for play and individual exploration. My kids will still tell you that I’m tough, but that overall, they like being home (especially my “sleeping beauty” who does not want to get up early).
Don’t get me wrong, they miss their old elementary school from time to time. There is obviously a lot more social interaction at school than what they get at home. I’m working on fostering more homeschool play dates and outings with other families. Still, it’s nice to watch them learn with curiosity as opposed to completing what had become mundane and boring homework assignments for them.
As a result, I don’t feel the urge to rush back to public school. My main goal for educating them is not to teach them 100% of everything they’ll ever need to know, but to teach them how to learn, be curious, and develop their critical thinking skills. I want them to be able to pursue their own interests and guide them towards things that might open their minds.
We may not homeschool forever, but my 4 year-old is begging to join the crew! Looks like accidental homeschooling might be a thing for our family. Looking back, I’m grateful to have been led to this decision.