I think the blogs have been loaded lately with sentiments of their “babies” starting school. Here I am, no exception. Well, maybe a little of an exception. We have prayerfully decided to homeschool. It just makes sense for us for so many reasons. Not to defend it, although I do feel like I need to explain to complete strangers why our son is getting a haircut on the first day of school, while everyone else is sitting at their desks. People ask of my concerns of his “socialization”. If anyone knows Stephen, they would quickly agree that he is quite social! He makes me more social. As we walk up to new places, I am somewhat timid, but he says “Hi!” and carries on like he knows everyone. We went to see Wall-E and we were the first ones in the movie theater. When the next people came in he says, “Hi!” and asks if they are here to see Wall-E, they say they are, of course. Then he excitedly says, “ME TOO!” Like it was some huge coincidence all worked out to his advantage to make a new friend! Maybe it was. I sheepishly said “Hi” so as not to be outdone or rude. ha.
Anyway, that was a huge digression! I am here to say, the first day of kindergarten was not that bad for me! I did not say “bye” to my baby, and watch him leave for a whole day in someone else’s care. Not that I look down on those who do, we may be in that boat next year. We are taking it one year at a time. But for now, I am thankful. I get to be the one who teaches him to read, add, subtract and most importantly about God’s Word and how He loves him.
The pictures are of a possible new tradition. We made “back to school” cookies last night. The pictures above are of the decoration process and the finished product. He said it was the best cookie he had ever tasted and that he is going to open a store and sell them with a sign that says “Best cookies in town, only costs 1 penny!”….We will get to cost analysis later!
Lord, I am so privileged to get to be my son’s caregiver and now, teacher. I pray that I will do it justice. I am humbled by how much there is to teach him. I am thankful that I get to see this early process of learning. Please keep my attitude patient and loving and not overwhelmed. Help me to look to You everyday for what he needs to know.
Hmmm . . . Nathan always seems to charge too much in his schemes. His cookies would be $10 each, most likely.
Congratulations on this big step for Stephen. You were already his first teacher, and he is one blessed boy to have you continue in this calling.
Love,
Nancy
I can’t believe how big my little boy looks in those pictures. I hope he had a great first day. I remember when i was that age and first starting school and now i’m in High school were does the time go. Well today was my first day of High school and i really wish you were teaching me high school katy!!! And i really wish i could have baked back to school cookies too, they look really good!! But no i had a really long day of nothing but work work and not making it to my classes on time.And tons of homework on top of that. Well i hope you all have a great day!!! Love you katy tell the kids i said hi and tell stephen i am so so very proud of him. Love you and miss you so much.
Love Michaela
What a great 1st day! Welcome to the Homeschool Blog community! Come by and say hello at the HSBA. I featured your article in our Tuesday Tour!
found you on homeschool blog awards and I LOVE your prayer.
I am a graduated homeschooler but this is my first ‘year’ with homeschooling my own children (it’s just preschool though so it only kinda counts!)
your little boy sounds like such a joy (I was that kid!)
Congratulations! Homeschooling is a blessing for you and your children. Wish I had done it myself. You will have my prayers for the patience you will need ,and joys you no doubt will reap!
Congrats on your first day of school! We started Kindergarten this year too, and it’s been fun! We didn’t do anything special for our first day, although now I wish we would have. I, too, find it hard to believe that my ‘baby’ is a Kindergartner, and I am so thankful that God has made it possible for me to be his teacher.
Congratulations on your decision to home school! It is quite an adventure. We schooled our 4 at home all the way into college.
I don’t know why it is that people worry so much about “socialization”. The way my husband answered that to varied workmates over several years (and several different jobs!) was to offer variations on the theme, “Yeah, I suppose I *could* have sent my kids to school to learn how to curse, do drugs, have sex, disrespect adults and abandon our faith. Hmmm….maybe I should re-think my choice…” That always stopped critics in their tracks.
Don’t worry too far ahead. Trust in the Lord and He will always give the grace and wisdom you need. And don’t worry about perfection. No matter how much you teach, you will *always* worry that you are missing something. We consoled ourselves with the knowledge that even among school systems kids will learn different things in each. The most important thing to us was character and faith.
Though these words were written to Israel as they entered the Promised Land, my husband and I thought we could not do a good job if we had to spend too much time *undoing* what they would have learned in the local public schools.
Wishing you the best!