School starts today. . .naaa, next week.

I'm new at this homeschooling business. Now that we have one whole year under out belts, I'm feeling the need to reflect on the experience. I had always been fascinated with parents who chose to homeschool, but never felt the need to do it with my daughters. They always did well in public school.

But my boy. . .well. . .not a round peg, this guy. And when it was suggested that we needed to sand him down, making a square peg into a round one, let me just say that I realized how much I loved my square peg. His edges make him who he is. So, we just carved out a square shaped hole for him. (aka: homeschooling)

In the past twelve months, I think I've probably learned more than Colton. (Ask me about sodium acetate reactions. . .go ahead, ask me.) And I've probably read more than Colton. (Those Apologia texts really are interesting.) I know I've done more math than Colton. (It is necessary to work several problems yourself when you have to break it down and teach it.) And I definitely made more lapbooks than Colton. (Not a scissors-and-glue kinda guy either.) We didn't do alot of test-taking or grading, but trust me, his mother knew exactly how much work he put in and whether or not he "got it." My goal was merely to discover how my boy learns. And to listen. And adapt. And then stand back and watch him grow. And you know what? He did. . .over 3 inches this year. LOL

After so many years of struggle in both public school as well as private, I can not express what this past year has meant to us. Aside from getting incredible support from the most excellent homeschool community, it has also involved some emotional healing - for Colton as well as his parents. We didn't know how much we were missing until our cup was filled. Ahhhhh. It feels nice.

We had the child who came home everyday from school with a note. Yes, the dreaded NOTE. Colton didn't pay attention. Colton won't memorize his multiplication facts. Colton fell asleep in class. Colton broke a crayon ON PURPOSE. Colton spent 18 minutes in the bathroom. Colton asked to go to the school nurse for the 4th time this week. Colton played with his eraser. Colton didn't eat his lunch. Colton doesn't keep his hands to himself. In the end, all this just equals, "For God's sake, would you people PLEASE drug your child?" Now, I don't say that as a judgment. I am a nurse and I understand the diagnosis/medication algorithm. I know that it can be helpful. It just wasn't an option for us. (personal confession: We did go as far as to ask the pediatrician, get a prescription, fill it, and then look at it for many weeks as it sat on the microwave unopened.)

Deciding to homeschool was also a scary leap for us, but I knew that I couldn't do any worse than what he'd experienced so far. I gave myself at least that much credit, but not much more. I was terrified. I really, really didn't want to screw up my kid.

My confidence in homeschooling grew in tiny steps. He started to enjoy reading again and was doing it "for fun" and asking for specific books that he'd researched himself. Even though he is an all-out-lover of X-Box, I found him playing physics computer games on a regular basis. He loved his enrichment classes each Monday (loved? school-like atmosphere?) and looked forward to them. I also realized that his reading level was WAY above what I thought it was and had to go get more advanced books. He asked me to teach him Algebra. He asked to learn more about the Vietnam War. He wanted to do a science fair project. He became more interested in politics, and drilled me about the candidates when we went to vote. He asked me more and more questions that I didn't have the answers to. I love that.

And then came band. Yes, there is actually a homeschool band. I wasn't sure about it at first because I didn't know how he'd do in such a structured atmosphere. But we went for an instrument fitting and the band director was incredible. (If you were ever in a school band, then you know how rare that can be.) He picked an Alto Saxophone and we started band and private lessons. And he LOVES it. He really struggled at first and I thought he'd give up, but he didn't. We just started our second year of band and several parents came up to me and mentioned how impressed they were with how well he was playing - and he has even been invited to play in the Jazz Band, which is usually reserved for students with at least 2 years experience. I am a very proud mama.

Has it all been easy? Heck no. There were days when I threatened to call the yellow bus to come to our house and take him to school. (several) He had trouble accepting that I was "mom" and "teacher" and that if he didn't do his "work," he couldn't "play." There is no place to hide or manipulate a Mom-Teacher. We know ALL. Oh yes, and he knows how to push my buttons, too. So it works both ways. We can really drive each other nuts if we want to.

All the planning, and worrying, and time management (or more accurately, lack-of-time-management) has been worth it. My boy is doing well and he's happy and he hasn't asked to go to the school nurse in 12 months. Or broken crayons on purpose.

If only I could get him out of the bathroom. . .