I know this is probably going to sound odd, but I feel a little strange today. I can't put my finger on it, or even if it's good/bad. See, as of tomorrow, we're finally officially homeschoolers. Since DS was 18 days too young to start K last year ( :roll: , I know), he would have started school this year. And tomorrow is our district's first day. And he's not going. We still don't have to report until next year (cumpulsory age is 7 in MO), so it's not legal, just official. Part of me want's to have a party.... the other has "Point of No Return" (from Phantom) running on loop. Really, am I losing my mind?
No, your not losing your mind. When I homeschooled my girls I had all my paperwork done when they were still in public school, and we didn't actually start homeschooling until the beginning of the next year. I remember the "point of no return" feeling. And I had that feeling again the day we went and took my grandson out of a downhill public school situation, and he was only in the second grade, for pete's sake!!!
I can remember my first child watching his neighbor friend walk to school in the mornings and then theother neighbor friend and us would co op together for home school! find a friend to school with! It helps you feel more confident.
Even though I totally love homeschooling my girls, I had a tiny twinge of doubt last night. Our Evensong worship (a casual evening service) was the blessing of the backpacks last night. I felt a tiny bit left out of all the back to school stuff and worried that my girls would too. But I should have had more faith. Even though we are the only homeschoolers in our church, when the time came to place the bags up front for the blessing everyone was included. Teachers, retired teachers, bus drivers, students, homeschool students, preschoolers, EVERYONE. She even said if you are the grandparents who drive or pick up a child we want to bless you too. No one felt left out. It was a lot of fun. This morning my kids are sleeping a little bit late like they usually do on Mondays and our neighbors kids will be getting on the bus in a few minutes. I am so glad mine are here with me.
Last year I felt REALLY off!! Especially since I hadn't received the acknowledgement from the school system that they had approved us and all that "stuff" (I didn't receive it until around christmas time) This year still haven't heard and still a little off from it - but since we have been doing some stuff constantly I feel a little better about it.
One thing that stuck out to me. You dont have to "report" at all since your in Missouri. You do have to keep logs starting at seven but dont have to report to anyone. I recommend you get this book. http://www.fhe-mo.org/ftf.php It explains all of the laws in an easy to understand way. I just got my copy a few days ago. They recommend you DONT report since you dont have to.
I actually know this, but it's easier for people in other states to understand unless I want to get into the specifics. Really, I used the word "report" out of my own laziness when I posted. Meaning keeping a report, rather than sending one in.
Oh ok, I just thought that you might have misunderstood that law. The laws in MO are so vague and confusing that I could totally understand someone not getting it, it took me a while to understand it. The book helped me see that I was right which was a big relief. Some of them are really vague and no one knows what they mean. The one that really gets me (and no one knows what it means) is the one about evaluations. It dont say if they mean a yearly test of some sort, or if they mean a chapter quiz, or what. Even the book I recommended talks about the evaluations because its so vague. Anyway sorry I misunderstood.
No problem at all! Since I typed exactly what you read, you didn't misunderstand. You just didn't read my mind. lol.
I felt the same way on the first day ps started after I pulled my son from ps. He'd finished the first grade, and I gave him three weeks off before we started schooling at home. So he'd been going for a good 2 months when the ps started, and I felt "strange" for that whole week. It wears off. This year, I feel... nothing. Even though I have one who "should" have started Kindergarten today... I'm totally fine with it. I know that what I'm doing is the BEST thing for my kids, and that no ps could possibly match it - even if they TRIED. :lol: *hugs* You're RIGHT! Go get 'em!
I have not felt that way, I guess because my son has never been in public school. We never had any intentions of putting our kids in P.S. so I have never felt strange or funny about P.S. school starting without them.
I felt the exact same way today. But we had a wonderful day together. And although that feeling still lingered I think we both have made a wonderful decision for our children's future. Hang in there and look for inspiration!
I know what you mean. We are hs-ing 2nd grade after pulling my daughter out of a HORRIBLE kindergarten experience in 2006. My daughter's favorite friend lives next door and is going into 2nd grade also in the public school. This little girl constantly talks about how fun and great school is and I think my daughter is feeling a bit left out or blue about it. I tried to explain all the downsides to gov't schools (early rising, lots of homework, sitting still most of the day, etc,) and she seemed appeased. There was still a bit of uneasiness in the air. I just have to pray and remember it takes strength to be different.
Ah! You are so lucky, our compulsory age in VA is 5! And we have to do the notice of intent each year (as well as end of year testing after they turn 6)! But I know what you are feeling, even though we hs'd my dd last year this is her official first year of kind. even tho we did k last year...so she's technically 1st grade now.
I just watched the bus go by our house for the first time this year. It was kind of odd for me as well. I almost cried, which is funny since there is no way my kiddo would go to ps school here and I haven't ever really thought about anything other then hs. He should be starting Kindy today (we actually started a few months ago when it was so hot) I had a tinge of guilt and wonder if i am making the right decision. Oh well it is done right?
I dunno I feel funny all the time. I know alot of ladies here will agree with that so it's nothing different here.
I think shannonu is right. It does take strength to be doing something different. Just think if you had a huge group of friends, where everyone was homeschooling you would never have the doubts. I know i wouldn't. For me, it is just that there is not one of my friends that homeschools. So, it is hard to hear all of their exciting first day of school stories -- while we are doing the same things we have done since the kids birth! I did do some fun activities, but it isn't the same. So, our feelings must be normal since we are all feeling it. Either that, or we are all weirdos! haha! Well, further in the year when everyone starts having the normal pschool problems, we will have to remember our doubts!
