My dh and I have made the compromising decision to use K12 in our homeschool. We have signed up both the older kids for a virtual academy. It's free. They will start for the second semester. Right now our life is hectic and a mess on so many different levels. My oldest has been having difficulties but is an extremely hard worker and thrives on routine and tight scheduling. I am not routine or scheduled. My son needs it. While I could change my "fly by night ways" I needed a solution that pleased both me and my dh. My dh wanted my older kids in school by now. That's him. I wanted to homeschool. Ever since my dd performed poorly on the standardized tests and my ds dipped below gifted...my dh wanted something to change. I'll be honest...I am not fond of schooling at home. However, I am welcoming the change. I know it is the best thing for all involved. I am extremely stressed right now as we have been having financial issues, marital issues, and more. I am pulled in a ton of different directions that I cannot think straight. I have neglected my K student and my toddler...spending more time pushing them aside because I have to help the someone else and on top of that earn an income and build my business. Sure, I could give up my business but I know it is what I need to do for many reasons. I also need the money...badly. I did not enroll my K student as I LOVE teaching younger elementary students and not to toot my own horn but it is the area of teaching I am gifted in. I feel so at peace with this decision. Funny, if you asked me about virtual academies a year ago, I would have said, "NO WAY!" I just had to face facts that my oldest is NOT thriving and needs structure. I also had to face facts that in the current state of my family I cannot provide that structure. I need help. I need big help. I don't know if we will continue this or not...but I feel amazing about this decision right now. We are open to changes and staying flexible in case it does not work out. I would love to go back to homeschooling how I did before but right now I cannot. Besides, this decision pleased my dh and this is very important right now. I know many may not agree with my decision. That's fine. Just understand that for my family right now it is best. It may not be best next year.... but right now it helps out my family and my marriage. I cannot BELIEVE I signed them up for this. lol. I still need to submit the forms...so they are not technically approved yet. We will see what God says...but I feel at peace so I am thinking God has directed us right now.
Hey, honey, you know I'm all for whatever works! You have my support. Like you said, if it works out, great, and if it doesn't, then you can always change! Keep us posted, and for pity's sake, stay with the Spot!
Oh...I am staying on the spot. I am still homeschooling Alyssa. As far as Aaron and Olivia...I am considered a learning coach...LOL. And...I am still doing projects, teaching bible, and assigning lit to them. I am still the big cheese. I am just adding in some structure that right now I cannot provide. Maybe in time it will all change.
Wow girl that is a HUGE change for you! I hope everything works out well for the kids and for your family and that the stress levels drop! As I prepare Gracie's year 3 curriculm I find I am even more CMish that ever before but never say never right? Good luck to ya!
I am still CM with Alyssa AND I am still implementing some CM into the older kids stuff as well. I will still have copywork, narration and such. My dh didn't want me to give up everything. We will see. I had a friend who used this and she still used CM principles. It may take a bit more time...but I can't give my dd enough work anyway. lol. Yes, this is a big change but it is one my family needs right now.
I know what you mean about being pulled in many directions. You sound like you have a lot going so not worrying about the kids schooling is important. You can only do what you can. I'm glad you're doing what your family needs to do. Best wishes!
To me, it sounds like you made the very best decision you could for your family, and you have thought of everyone in this equation. Kudos to you for realizing that what you were doing wasn't working, and for being willing to experiment with something else. (((hugs)))
I kick the virtual thoughts around from time to time... but it wouldn't fix what is wrong here.. in fact I think the rigidness of it would make it worse for us (speaking strictly of Garrett.. the littles beg for school and get mad because I want to follow their lead but they want me to crack the books and make them learn something new..lol) I am trying to find new ways of doing things.. and have learned some of our problem is me not being interested in doing school WITH Garrett. Between ME being bored with what I have him doing and his bad attitude about everything in life, it makes me want to just run for the hills the second he gets up in the morning. Hoping this is a great fit for you!!
Ava, you do what you think is best! I'm betting by the end of this year, you will either love or hate it and will be very certain as to whether or not to continue it next year. Did I tell you I'm thinking of doing ECOT next year for Rachael, because she can take some college classes at the same time and the State will pay for it? Like you, I NEVER thought I'd EVER say that!!!
Ava - whatever works for you this moment - embrace it. Good luck; I am sending good thought to you and your family.
Ava I will be interested to hear how they are doing, I forget how old they are and all but with our changes coming with ds getting to highschool next year (sept) I am trying to figure ahead of time what to do. Either small private school at our church and then volunteer teach to get some good classes in there and push them to get sports, OR debate team or Bible team or something going on... OR K12 local thing forget what it is called here. So tell me what all they do etc, when you get it going let me know what the kids think about it how rigorous it is etc. k? K Thanks!
Good luck... I am for what ever works also, I have a friend that signed her girls up for some school here in Tx... all free...
we have to do what works for our family and no one else. I didn't think I would homeschool to the end by April my oldest will be done high school at home wow where did the time go
Glad you have been able to find a solution. God is good at working every detail into answers that we could not think of ourselves (or in many cases don't want to consider until it seems our only option :roll: ) We've had to do what seemed like the opposite of our desires at time, including using the local ps. All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Sometimes it's only for a season....and sometimes we actually end up liking the changes He brings us. :lol:
I am glad you found something that will work for your family. I have thought about doing that with my oldest...maybe this next year will be the year we try it here.
Thanks everyone for your kind words and support! Jackie I have heard of ECOT...I really don't know much about though. Getting college credit while in high school is a great opportunity though.
Just because you are using the K12 doesn't mean you are not homeschooling anymore. I don't have as much issue with a formatted curriculum as I do with the atmosphere in the PS system. My DS was one of the "different" kids. He didn't have the designer clothes or accessories. We had moved a lot, so he wasn't connected with any of the other students. And he wasn't confident enough to elbow his way into the established groups. All this made him a target for the bullies. What threw me for a loop was that adults at the school were also bullies. Or that they sided with the "clicks". What you are doing is a choice to make schooling an enriching experience. You have evalueated what the needs are and found a solution that still allows you to keep the children in a safer environment. At the same time pleasing the DH. I not only support you, but I will cheer you on. Keep us posted on your discoveries while using K12. This might be the fit for others on here.
