But I will. Will what? you ask. Accept the award. Yes, you heard that correctly. I have won an award for blogging. No, it's not Best Homeschooling Blog (because, among other reasons, my two oldest left on the school bus around an hour ago); and it's definitely not Most Inspirational. In fact, a good friend described my blog as the Best of the Outtakes. (I did take this as a compliment.) Ha! But, what is this award?
Well, Judy of BenMakesTen (yes, she does have ten children and still looks only 25!) chose me as one of her lately-discovered-I-think-she's-just-great bloggers. And I think that's just great, too. In fact, it has made my day (if not my week). The one hitch is that accepting the award requires one to post 13 bloggers that fall into the same category. I foresee that this will take me a while and my acceptance speech will be duly postponed. Anyway.
Such an award does highlight the great thing about the mommy-blogging phenomenon: it creates community that is otherwise impossible for us mommies. This is a community that I have come to cherish throughout the past year and a half. It has inspired me, admonished me and let me know that I am not alone. I am grateful.
Now, on to other things.
All is well here and we are sitting almost halfway through what I have decided is the last month of winter. I have sunk to new depths or perhaps I am lowering the bar in my struggle with winter. I have now decided that only December and January truly constitute Winter. February, being so short and temperamental, holds the possibility of March which has sometimes been known to usher in Spring around these parts. And March (oh March, how I love thee) is when the cows are let out of the barn and allowed to pasture once more; yes, I do measure part of my year according to Grandpa Mike's agricultural calendar. Thus, I really only have 18 days of winter left. How's that for looking on the bright side?
In other news: Dave and I have decided to embark on a new adventure. Next year, we will begin homeschooling Ben for his kindergarten years. WHAT???? Yeah, that's what Jacob and Hannah (currently sitting in desks at the institution down the road) said. Actually, they really said, "When do we get to be homeschooled? 'cause homeschooling means you get to watch TV." Ooops. (This is in no way a dig at homeschooling mamas; it's just that my own children have a way of outing my best intentions.)
But, seriously. Our, ahem, (I'm struggling for an adjective here) fine provincial government has launched a new early education endeavour (shall we say, experiment) for the Fall. Unfortunately, our little Catholic school has been chosen as one of the guinea pigs. Currently, when a child reaches the age of four, said child can be enrolled in Junior Kindergarten (all- day Monday, Wednesday and alternating Fridays). At the age of five, Senior Kindergarten begins and follows a similar schedule on Tuesdays, Thursdays and alternating Fridays. We were already leaning towards keeping Ben home until Senior Kindergarten, but our decision has now been made. Why? Because the government has extended Kindergarten to all day Monday-Friday with the option of daycare before and after school provided by early childhood educators at the school. Sigh.
Of course, all this is optional and one doesn't have to enroll one's child at school until the age of six (unless choosing to homeschool). So, dear little Ben, we have chosen not to shock your system with a complete removal from your home. (Or, perhaps, it's my system.) Dear little Ben, next year you will stay by your mother's side and I will put up many posters on my walls with numbers, letters and colours attempting to usher you into the realms of literacy and numeracy while providing suitable decor in the dining room. When Hannah heard this, she said: "Mom, you're going to need more walls." Hmph.
Who knows what this will mean in our life and what future arrangements to which it will lead. However, I do know that the Lord is (sometimes) gentle with me and is allowing me to rest beside still waters (so far) in our children's education.
But, for now, I'd better turn off the television...
9 comments:
Congratulations on the award! Have fun posting 13 blogs! (I don't even know that many!)
We had all-day kindergarten for our kids when we lived in Quebec, but there was no JK, only SK, so it wasn't too bad. I was very glad that Jesse missed this dumb idea but a few years. We both would have hated it, and I think I'd likely be doing exactly what you are doing.
I am no longer blogless. I'm giving it a shot, though I'm not sure what form it will take. Probably range from deep, introspective thoughts to rants about whatever.
First, congrats on the award. I didn't just lately discover you, but I DO think you're just great.
Ready for another homeschooling shocker? In light of this same all-day kindergarten nonsense, I've teamed up with four other moms with kids about Norah's age, and have decided we'll homeschool together for JK and SK. That means each mom will teach one half-day a week, but her kid gets the benefit of five half-days worth of school. Plus, between the five of us, we have all the curriculum areas covered in our own areas of expertise, and there are two junior teaching degrees in the lot as well.
We're actually thinking of getting started in September with a pre-school sort of program.
Jac, This is not surprise. Can Ben board with you?
Hey Elena, after reading Dr. Dobson's book "Bringing up Boys" we have seriously contemplated homeschooling Robbie and you know our thoughts on homeschooling! But good old SK does not pay for junior k, senior k, only kindergarten is publicly funded and the school here I think is only 3 days a week half days. Anyway, we haven't stressed about introducing Robert to structured learning - gee whiz, I don't think I held a book until I got to Kindergarten at 5 years - I can still spell.... That being said, we have very informally been introducing things to Robert and he has been so eager to learn. Very fun things have been the foam alphabet that you can make into a mat - this has helped Robbie read 3 letter words. Also great are the leapfrog series of educational tools, the latest he got for Christmas has really helped him with writing letters. Just thought I would encourage you and maybe offer some ideas for fun learning, with little stress:) Miss you - Sandy
Congrats on the award!
Good for you for keeping Ben home and far away from the land of full day Kindergarten. I was so relieved earlier this week to find out that the school Jake will start in the Fall will not have full day JK or SK for another few years.
And Jaclyn - what a blessing to have those other mom's to homeschool with! Great idea!
Elena...I hope you took my words as a compliment because I meant them in the sense that your blog is a window into your family (a really big window, not a tiny one). I love it that you are real and so candid at times.
With regards to homeschooling, I love Jaclyn's idea...we have done that a bit with some friends around here for our older two and I think it really helps mix things up a bit to have someone other than mama being teacher. Also, using our different gifts can really help round out the homeschooling adventure with little ones.
I'm going to call you soon my dear!
Congratulations on your award! Just don't forget the little people ;) I will be telling anyone who will listen that I know you :)
You are in my prayers with homeschooling...I obviously don't have kids but just reading about homeschooling made me nervous???!!
Elena and Jaclyn, I think that you are both the type of mothers that will make homeschoolers proud to have you in their ranks. I, on the other hand, am the type of mother that all day school was invented for...
...except...
Elena, I literally had an epiphany sometime in the last 24 hours or less that I think that I NEED to homeschool my boys. The reasons why are long and not all that interesting for a blog comment, but suffice it to say that if they are to grow up to be the types of men I hope them to be, I think we need to avoid public school. This realisation really did hit me very hard very recently. BUT I SO do not have the type of personality that this will be easy for. Pray for me.
ps. my word verification is "buliz"... get it... bullies? sign from God, ha ha?
R, Does anyone have the right personality for homeschooling? I think it is all part of the process of sanctification. I think one of the keys to success is taking it day by day and year by year. All things are subject to change and if you try to grasp the next 14 years of homeschooling, you will inevitably fail but if you just try to get through today you will be faithful which is far more important than success. I think you WILL do a great job and I think that you will have fun as well. Also, remember, in the early years, homeschooling is only about 1 hour a day and is simply an out-growth of what you already do i.e. reading with Rhett under a comforter while trying to differentiate between a dog and a giraffe (biological classification already begun...)
p.s. you area also tremendously blessed to be in TX where they seem to have incredible homeschooling networks of all persuasions.
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