An Accidental Home School Mom

So after much prayer and counseling we decided to home school Jude for the remainder of the 2014-2015 school year. We planned on withdrawing him from school the end of October but after several discouraging turn of events we thought it was in his and our best interests to do it immediately. So yesterday afternoon Joe picked up Jude from school and that is that… I’m now a home school mom.

I never thought I would home school my children and at this point we aren’t planning on doing this forever or for all of our children but right now it is the best option for our family. We are jumping into this home school thing completely blind and are praying we don’t screw anything up. Thankfully I have a number of friends who home school and are involved in local communities that can offer us advice and support.

My biggest hesitation with home schooling Jude this year is simultaneously managing 2 toddlers plus caring for a newborn (in just a few more months!). However, we’ve decided to enroll Noah in preschool for at least a few mornings a week so I will have a little more opportunity to teach Jude, plus Noah has been begging to go to school.

Jude is a very bright young boy and I worry that I don’t be able to keep up with how quickly he learns things but we’ll just take it one day at a time.

I was surprised to find so many curriculum and subject options but I think we’ll start small and add new books as needed. This is primarily to keep me from feeling overwhelmed.

So now I need to set up our home school (anyone have suggestions for a name?), order some materials and make a plan. But today we’re taking it easy, no school work just relaxing and enjoying a beautiful day with my family.

I’m both excited and nervous about this new adventure but ultimately I feel a sense of peace, knowing that right now this is the best decision for Jude.