Last fall, I wrote about my family's decision to send our oldest daughter (age 4) to prekindergarten. When we moved overseas, our family situation changed and the move had significant social implications for our children. Making the decision to send Abigail to school for socialization was very difficult for us and we are constantly reevaluating our choice.
Since Abigail started school, I have questioned my participation as a writer for this blog and have wondered if I am still a homeschooler.
Abigail attends school five mornings a week and I pick her up at lunchtime. After lunch, we spend about 2 hours doing lessons that I have created before we attend afternoon activities (ballet, piano, gymnastics, swimming, playgroups).
Now that the school year is coming to a close, I have finally figured out that we are still homeschoolers. Yes, my homeschool set-up looks different than most.
However, my husband and I still believe that we are responsible for the education of our children. We ensure that, every day, both of our girls receive learning (academic, religious, and social) that meets their needs. We teach some lessons and we allow others to teach some lessons. But, when it comes down to it, we take ultimate responsibility for the education of our girls. And, I have come to believe that choosing to be responsible for your child's education and teaching as necessary is what makes one a homeschooling parent.
What are your thoughts?
Marla is a former special education teacher, current PhD student, university instructor, and stay-at-home mom of two little girls (ages 2 and 4). She blogs about raising and teaching her children at Marla's Motherhood Musings and her family's experiences living in Zambia at Our Life in Lusaka.
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