Hats off to all of you out there who home school. It was something I considered heavily before I had my first child because I figured I'd love it being as I am a teacher. What better opportunity to do what I love and with those I love most? How great would that be? Well, turns out maybe not so great for me. Each day while away, the boys and I have been sitting down to complete school work a couple of hours a day, but it's been a bit of a struggle. I've done this before on trips during the school year with just the oldest one, who is a bit more of a people pleaser than my strong willed youngest child, but with both of them to tutor through the weeks they're missing school right now, I feel a bit ganged up on. I have started letting them know the night before and then several minutes before the time we are scheduled to start to try and cut down on the whining they may ensue from having to do homework, but then once we sit down, there's the non-stop nonsense singing and wiggling my first grader does from his chair while his pencil sits in his hand above his paper as he "thinks" about what he needs to write on his worksheet, and then there's the older one chiming in on what the answer should be on the first grader's work or in general just being more interested in what his brother is working on than what he is supposed to completing. So, the separation to different tables to work cuts down on that a bit, but how do the teachers do it for 6 hours a day! I know, having been a teacher myself and to kids the same age, how challenging a job it is and also how different kids can be with the teacher than with their mom, but I also understand more fully what my baby's teacher means when she tells us on his progress report that he has all the intelligence and skills his needs academically to succeed, but that she has trouble keeping him motivated to do his work and has to push him a bit to get it done. I now know, even though I was not surprised when she told us that, EXACTLY what she deals with and means by that statement.
I think all parents should be required to spend a certain amount of time volunteering in their child's classroom from preschool on up to truly appreciate what educators do for their children and to understand their precious darlings a little more fully and realistically. Not all teachers are created equal, of course, but those who are truly passionate about their chosen career path as educators are a blessing to our kids. If you have chosen the path of being your child's educator than you deserve the same appreciation, if not more, than those who are being paid and trained to do the same job in the educational system. I say you are heroes!! As a trained and practicing teacher and a parent myself, I know what you deal with every day from both ends of the spectrum, and you are truly outstanding individuals! Thank you for giving so much to the world's children and our future.
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