Today this box with blue lettering came in the mail. While opening it up, a flood of emotions rolled over me like the waves we are surrounded by here in Rhode Island. This cardboard box of books represents the beginning of a journey into uncharted waters for my once "itty bitty" baby M and her Mama. This year I have the privilege of becoming a home schooling mother. My 5 pound 6 ounce baby girl has blossomed into a sweet "school-aged" young girl. I am curious, anxious, eager, sentimental and excited to be starting this journey with her. Will this work for her, for me, and for all of our family? Will she thrive? Will I thrive? How will this change our relationship? How will I balance M's schooling with little miss spunky and bouncing baby boy in our classroom? How many curriculum changes will we have ahead of us before we find the one for that works for her, for me, and for everyone in this family at this time and place? The words printed on the box were exactly the reminder I needed to shift my focus on to the primary reason we have chosen this path for our M. Among the myriad of reasons we have decided on home schooling for our family at this time, this is the reason. A few home schooling mothers recently shared with me points that I am stashing away in my head for keeps. Home schooling might be a perfect fit for one child and not a perfect fit for the next sibling. One curriculum might be great for one child and not the next because of personality, learning style, or birth order differences. Buying a curriculum does not guarantee it will be a good fit. Buying and trying and maybe not liking certain curriculum is just a natural part of this home schooling process. It is okay if we learn home schooling is not for us. It is okay if curriculum modifications come along. It is okay if we need to slow down or speed up. Uncharted waters here we come!
