Our HS journey begins....TOMORROW!!! I'm so excited, we thought and thought about this....really spent hours and hours researching, and firmly believe this is the BEST thing for DD. But....this morning, when it came time to make it official, to actually DO it.....I got nervous. Nervous about what? I don't know exactly. I guess that we're making the right move, doing the right thing. These are normal feelings, right?? Do they eventually subside? I'd like to think as we get into the groove and see the "real" Shaylyn come back to life, I'll feel confident in our decison and not look back.
Yes, they are normal. Yes, they will subside. Yes, be confident and don't look back. BUT they will still resurface every now and again. I've been at this for 11 years, and those feelings still pop up, especially when my middle daughter isn't where her sister was at this age, or my son and I butt heads (AGAIN!!!). So what do I do when they pop up? Compare them to the kids my husband has in the public school! And then I realize that my worse is still far better than their best!
I'm not even concerned that she won't learn, or that I can't do it. I'm SOOOO excited about our curriculum choices and all the ideas swimming in my head for enrichment. I think I'm afraid that I got caught up in the exciting parts and maybe didn't consider enough of the not so attractive things?!? (though I can't think of what that might be, I think I actually did go through most of them) I think I'm afraid that when the reality of it hits, the excitement (mine, not hers) will wear off and I'll regret it. I dunno. I'm having a hard time putting it into words, LOL!
Yes, the excitement will wear off, and some days will be plain drudgery. But it's still worth it. And, if you get to a place where EVERYDAY is drugery, you can always step back a bit, decide to cancel school for the day, and do something new and exciting. This will help give a fresh perspecive.
Definitely normal! Homeschooling is the best choice I could make when it comes to Em's education. Congratulations and remember, have fun!!!!
Totally normal.. and you will freak on a regular basis for a good long while, and then you will figure everything out, everything will be running smooth and it will feel funny and you will think something must be wrong, and start the worries, the doubts and the jitters all over again. It's a vicious cycle... but totally worth it!
Of course, anytime you get nervous or worried or frustrated, you run right to us! WE will set you straight, lol!!!
If it helps you feel more confident, I've homeschooled for a long while now. Ds13 is homeschooling, but my dd10 has spent the past few years in public school. Her last day is tomorrow--and I started the jitters today! :lol: And I knew to laugh at myself because I always get the jitters at "cross-over" time. Something about switching gears either way causes me to go through second-guessing. Next Monday morning with both my kiddos home will be glorious, though! Something someone here suggested to me years ago was to make a list of all the reasons you KNOW that you are supposed to homeschool. When my mind starts to get the best of me, I just take out the list and remind myself of our convictions and the benefits we have seen over the years. When you have experience on both sides of the school yard fence, it seems to give you a whole new perspective and serves to solidify the homeschooling decision. And like Jackie said, if all else fails (or just cuz!)--run to us!
Thanks everyone! Seriously.....it really helps to have people behind you! We had her conferences tonight....and collected her belongings, and she's done. Tomorrow starts our new adventure!
You're just experiencing normal emotions right now. I am in my 16th year of homeschooling and I promise you everything you're feeling is perfectly normal. Just remember to keep learning fun, for you and your children. You're embarking on such a great adventure tomorrow! Congratulations on your decision. LucyRicardo
I understand how you feel. I too have made the decision to hs as I feel it is the best thing but actually DOING it NOW is a different story. I'm a nervous wreck. I'd love to hear how its going for you after you get started. Good luck.
Homeschooling is kinda like a roller coaster ride. We have are very high days and some very low ones. But like everyone said just jump on here and get the support you need to keep going until the next high comes.
Has anyone told you that when you bring a kid home for the first time, thre is often a time of "de-programming". She has a real school mindset, and it can cause a bit of problems. Don't worry about what she is or isn't "learning". That will come. Just take it slow and easy at first.
I have "heard" that. It'll be interesting to see how it goes. As it is right now, we don't have even 1/2 of our curriculum here yet (waiting on our shipments to show still), so there isn't much to do right now. I asked her tonight if she wanted to start with what we had, or if she'd rather wait until we had more of her stuff here, and she wanted to start now, LOL! I think she's a little excited!
Yes, you are normal. Yes, the feelings will go away. But, the feelings tend to come back. You just have to remember WHY you are doing this. Please, take the advice of seasoned homeschoolers (not me) and if a certain method/curriculum isn't working try another one. Charlotte Mason, Ruth Beechick (?), Barbara Shelton, and so many more- these ladies have different approaches, but you can learn from all of them on the computer or books. They have been a big help to me in rethinking what education is all about.
