There are some things going on here, swirling around our little family, and while I'd like to share it (some of it anyway), I am not at liberty to do so right now. I think I will be in the future, but for now I have to neatly side-step it.
In a similar vein, I could use a few prayers if you have any to throw my way. I found out that Fiver will not end up having the teacher that we had been expecting. It is unfortunate, since she had a background in special education and she was already familiar with Fiver's situation.
While I understand the reasons why she won't be teaching him, I am still nervous for him. I guess I was resting on my laurels a bit this summer, knowing that his teacher already knew what to expect from him.
Rob and I have decided to take school one day at a time this year, and when what we are doing is no longer working for Fiver, then we will move on to what does work for him. I can't spend the next two weeks sweating over things that I cannot change.
I also have the feeling that God just might be trying to prepare us for some even bigger changes on this front. Again, I don't feel like I can articulate everything right now, but I am just praying to be able to discern the path that God has set for us.
(As a related aside: do any of you homeschoolers have a combination of children in homeschool/"regular" school? Do the kids taught at home wonder why they are home, while their siblings are in school? Or do you let the kids choose which method they most prefer? I hope this doesn't seem nosy -- I think it's all part of my discernment process.)
Meanwhile, I have been trying to put all of this on the back burner so that we can squeeze in these last few days of summers. We are at two weeks and counting, which is not much time at all.
We spent some great time at our favorite amusement park this weekend; the summer just isn't complete without a trip to Knoebel's.
Our plan was to run the kids into the ground, feed them ice cream, and put them in the car to fall asleep on the way home. Everything went off without a hitch, although I think I was the first one to fall asleep on the way home. Good thing I wasn't driving!
What ONE THING must your summer have before you feel like it is complete? What is your quintessential "summer thing", my friends?
This is what my baby looks like when he is more than an hour past his bedtime. He was too tired to even crack a smile.
A girl and her Pop (Francie and my dad).
Aimee, saying prayers for you and Fiver. I hope you are pleasantly surprised by a blessing in disguise. I share your anxiety about school, and I'm looking forward to hear what new journeys your family begins.
ReplyDeleteMy sister, Cathy, did an amazing job of letting the kids know that she was going to do what was best for each child.
ReplyDeleteShe has 5 kids.
Her "regular" school was a Christian one affiliated with her church. For some grades, the teachers were not as skilled, so she would homeschool OR they didn't have the money for that particular year.
She just kept emphasizing too that she was going to do what she thought was right for the child and the time.
I think it's totally workable.
In my sister-in-law's district she was able to homeschool her 9th grader for core subjects but also allowed to have her particpate in band and swim team at the nearby school.
Explore your options in case down the road that is the way you want to go.
Homeschooling is a terrific option for many and it's okay if you are not homeschooling all of your kids.
Aimee,
ReplyDeleteWe have been a "mixed" family from the beginning. I can't say we were completely honest with the kids -- especially the ones who came home, they just knew that school was not the best choice at that time (how do you tell a kid that since he's not "getting it" at school, and the teachers haven't noticed, that mom has to take charge?).
We are still mixed with one in college, one in high school and two at home. They know that high school is probably the breaking away point (except Peach for whom we currently do not have an acceptable choice).
Meant to add -- set your goals, even if they are different every day. I found myself the frog in the pot, and after I had lived with a situation, it didn't seem so bad. Then another problem would crop up that grabbed my attention. Pretty soon there were lots of problems and all combined they became too much. Am I making sense?
ReplyDeleteAdding my prayers for Fiver! I hope that your family will find what works best for EACH of you. Hugs...
ReplyDeleteand that Zombie Bun is just way, way too cute.
I will keep you in my prayers, Aimee! We have several large changes looming ourselves (that I also don't feel comfortable talking about via blog, either) and I know how tough it is.
ReplyDeletePraying for discernment for you and a good school year for Fiver.
ReplyDeletePraying for you! I do know people who do both---you need to do what is right for your family and what the Lord is leading you to do! Hope you get some guidance soon!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your summer. We are in the second week of school and are already on round 3 of the stomach virus!
hmmm... interesting. I will pray but call me if you want to talk.
ReplyDeleteAs far what I have to do in thew summer for it to feel like summer: Get to the beach, man, even though I prefer the beach in the fall, after the crowds have gone and we just have it to ourselves and the ocean feels like bathwater....
Oh, Bun is getting so big! His face is getting all skinny, like he's losing his baby chub. :(
ReplyDeleteI will pray for you and your family. I don't homeschool, but I have a few friends that have done the combination of home school and private school with success. You'll figure out what is best for Fiver and the rest of you and that is all that matters.
I hear ya about the blog. I've been thinking the exact same thing lately.
ReplyDeleteHoping the rest of life is looking brighter... and if there's anything I can do (even an ear to bend) don't hesitate to ask.
I've been off the blogging road myself lately. Posts that have been going up have been random and usually just stuff that shows up in my inbox so I missed this post too.
ReplyDeletePrayers going out for you and your family. Prayers that Fivers new teacher will be just what he needs and prayers that whatever road the good Lord has you travel will be a safe and smooth one.
What I wanted for summer -- a few days of staycation -- I have gotten right now. Not by plan, but to help with a hospitalized granddaughter, but still it is a slower pace than going to work on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteAs for The Fiver, wait and see since that is all you can do anyway. I raised three handicapped, two gifted ones, and two talented ones. I had to do what Laura's sister, Cathy, did: take it a grade and a teacher and a kid at a time. While I tried to keep them together as much as possible, their differing needs came first, and I believe that they all got the education they need and they all look back on their childhood as a good time (and that is important as well).
---you've gotten some great advice here, Aimee, and I hope you are at peace and feeling strong in any and all decisions you & R must make. You are in my heart & prayers. Peace, DkLoCh
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