An interesting thing happened this August that caught many off-guard . . . two of our children ventured off to ‘real school.’ May I say that I was one of those people?!
Let me preface this by saying that I always thought of ourselves as ‘accidental homeschoolers’. It was never the plan to do this forever. When we were at Cornell University for Chris’s graduate studies, Emma missed the cut-off for school. She was almost 5, reading, and ready for school. Chris’s mom suggested that we just do school with her at home; what was there to lose?! So, we did. When we finished grad. school Chris found a job in New York City. The schools in New Jersey, where we were living, weren’t places we wanted to send our children. The plan was to stay there for 18 months before we went foreign; so what was another 18 months of homeschooling? Eighteen months turned into 5 years and we were still in New Jersey . . . homeschooling.
Finally, the chance to go foreign came up. We arrived in London and wanted to get our feet wet before deciding where we should send our kids to school. Pretty soon we were loving the opportunities living in London and homeschooling had to offer – hands-on learning experiences, here and in other countries. What was not to love?! We were very reluctant to give it all up.
But, Emma started approaching high school age faster and faster and we felt we would have to make a decision of when to put her in school to help her prepare for college/university. Chris thought it would be good to get her in before high school to get accustomed to how things work before her grades really ‘count.’ So, knowing the international schools fill up quickly, we put in her application (and Hannah’s, on a whim) for January. We got an acceptance letter the following week – not for January but for August! Chris emailed me (while I was in Spain) to tell me about their acceptance and that he was taking them to the orientation to see what it was like. They all loved it and the girls were all set to start school 4 days later (3 days after I got home)! Talk about a whirlwind!
This is what I came home to:
School Orientation Materials
I was still trying to get my head wrapped around what had just happened when it was the first day of school and I found myself walking the girls to the bus stop at 7:15 in the morning. This really had not been my plan, but everyone else seemed thrilled about it.
Hannah & Emma’s First Day of School
Four weeks into school and I feel so peaceful about the whole situation. I feel like Heavenly Father was telling me, “You are never going to do this on your own without stressing about it and second guessing yourself, so we’re doing this NOW.”
Emma is thriving and loving school – wondering why everyone doesn’t love learning as much as she does. Hannah is loving school as well and loves learning new things that she wasn’t getting at home (specifically art and PE).
I am loving just having Caleb and Cami at home. I know it’s a weird dynamic as they are 11 and 6, with the middle child taken out, but it’s working so well. My stress level has gone out the window and our days are so pleasant!
Cami, Me, & Caleb in Spain
Caleb is such an independent learner that he works on his own, asking questions when he needs to, and I have one-on-one time with Cami, which I never had before. It’s fun to see what Caleb likes to do in his ‘free time’ – he’s taken up baking and is looking into computer programming.
Caleb Making Brownies
This is definitely a new road for us, but so far it’s a great start on a new adventure.
You are amazing! The sacrifices you have made for your family are admirable. How much longer are you guys in England?
It’s been my experience that different children thrive in different environments. Your children will excel wherever they are because they are bright and strong, and they have some fantastic parents.
Now you’ll have to add school clothes shopping to your to-do list.
Still wish it was the same campus as ours, but so happy for you guys!
I had no idea why you originally homeschooled–I figured it was just because you were in Jersey, and then you continued. Different needs for different seasons! We are starting out in public school, but I’ve always said that I’d homeschool if I ever need too!