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Friday, January 30, 2009

Kindergarten

Judah 12/09

Today we found out Judah didn't get into the charter school we were looking at. There were 16 spots and then a waiting list of 101. He's number 73.

There are so many choices to be made. Should I homeschool? Put him on the waiting list for next year? Do we start him this year or next for kindergarten? (His birthday is October 20th, so he could either be young or old for his grade.) Big decisions to be made.

I think the thing that stresses me out is the decisions seem so final. I guess I need to remind myself if I try something and don't like it we can always try something different. I'm not stuck with this until he turns 18.

I'd love to hear from other moms. How did you make your school decisions?
Written with love by Morgan at 4:54 PM
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15 comments:

  1. Ahhhh! I know what you mean! Rebekah's b'day is Oct. 1, but she misses the cut off by ONE DAY! However, the private Christian school she attends for preschool had a cut off in Aug., so she actually won't be THE oldest if she attends there for K. It is our first choice for school, but I'm also trying out homeschooling now to see if it might be right for us. We're putting it to prayer and experimenting with it. I'm actually fine with Rebekah being the oldest, though. There are so many advantages to be the oldest than the youngest. Email me if you want to chat more. Beethoven75 at comcast dot net.
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  2. I say if you see Judah ready for school now, (like asking questions, being social, and focusing on the task at hand) send him on the early side. it won't be a big deal AT ALL if you feel you want/need to hold him back another year and repeat kindergarten, either in a classroom or if you begin homeschool.
    it's a VERY difficult decision. I'm trying to remember that no matter where the boys go, God can and will still use it to His advantage.
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  3. VERY adorable picture of your handsome boy! so innocent. simply happy. he's such a sweetie!
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  4. Oh my goodness, could he be any cuter?!
    I don't have any advice really about the school thing, but my mom sent me when I turned 6 in aug and my sister who turned 6 in oct. I loved being older than other kids! My brother turned 6 in jan. I've heard that socially boys mature slower (which isn't new news) so I've heard that used as a reason to start them later.
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  5. I don't know from a Mom's perpective, but I'm an October baby. I started early (I was 4 when I started Kindergarten) and was so very thankful. The only year it was tough was when we all turned 16 and I was one of the last to get my driver's license. You and Eric know Judah best and are the best to say whether he's "ready" or maybe if he's not the most advanced right now, does he like a challenge? That might be a helpful deciding factor (in addition to the things your other friends said).
    God knows, and I'm confident that you and Eric are seeking Him about your decision - it'll work out!
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  6. Oh my... being a momma at it's hardest.
    Let me be candid with you Morgan (at the risk of making some people not-happy).
    What do you want "school" to be for your boys? You have been homeschooling them already, you just need to decide if you want to discontinue what you've been doing all their lives. If you are sending them to "school" for a better education than you believe you are able to give them, that is a debatable point.
    You can learn along with your children the things you don't already know, and that's the blessing of a support group anyway - each helping to fill the gaps.

    My own reasons for homeschooling are a little deeper. I can't think of anything I want my children to learn in life that would be enhanced by a classroom full of other children who will be shaping my son or daughter's world view.
    It's a system, and systems don't produce free thinking men and women of integrity who have morals, Godly character, a heart of servanthood, compassion, grace, and mercy, not to mention the manliness in boys that is not acquired sitting behind a desk for hours at a time day after day.
    No matter what anyone says, people who come through the system with those attributes learned them at home. Period.

    I believe I am responsible for my children at all times, to teach them all manner of things, and especially to impart a knowledge of who God is, and the gospel message; how that affects them personally, and their responsibility to God Himself.
    These things are of far greater importance than any "education" your children will ever get. ANYWHERE.

    I want my children to interact well with all ages and kinds of people - something you learn in daily life, again - not in a room of twenty other children the exact same age.
    Plus, my children are each other's best friends. I want it to stay that way, and am doing all I can to promote and foster that bond EVEN though we do indeed interact with other families.
    You know... I have found that children that grow up living "real life" where they learn to respect parental authority, and defer to their siblings through daily living, intuitively are intelligent enough for their elders to really enjoy, and are lacking the cultural segregation mindset that keeps them from playing with little kids and babies.

    I cannot fathom handing over half a day of MY input into my precious pliable little minds and hearts, to someone who does not value their soul as I do, and is trying to juggle the "education" of fifteen to twenty-five other little ones.

    This is some food for thought. Clearly I feel passionately about this subject, but I don't get on my soapbox unless asked.
    Consider all these options from outside the box you are familiar with, and you might start asking yourself some questions that are a tiny bit deeper than whether Judah is the oldest or youngest child in his grade.

    I love you, and intend my opinion to be conveyed in grace. Please feel free to email if you have any questions I could help with.

    And... one more thing.
    All these lovely ladies are right, of course; the Lord will work in your little man for His glory and honor - no matter what you do.
    I just believe momma is responsible for putting him in his armor while he is growing into a man.
    When he is grown and he has the tools to wage war on his own...
    THEN put him into the battle.

    Love you,
    Analene
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  7. Hi Morgan! I have the Kindergarten Sonlight Homeschooling Curriculum if you'd like to check it out. Their site is: http://www.sonlight.com
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  8. Well, after reading Analene's comment it's hard to know what to say -- she covered it well. :)

    First, just continue to pray, especially for wisdom and discernment in this area. I will be praying for you as well. And again, it is very important to remember that whatever decision you make, can always be changed. You cannot go wrong if you obey the Lord. No matter what educational setting your children are in, He will use it for His glory.

    I have two children, one is a freshman attending a public school, the other is almost nine and has been homeschooled from the beginning. The differences are pretty astounding. It goes back to what Analene said in her comment about the armor of God and giving them that foundation BEFORE they go to battle. We have a very short time to prepare them.

    After much prayer, our family knew that the Lord had called us to homeschool our youngest child. We saw the worldview education/ socialization that our oldest daughter was getting and it was disheartening. Don't get me wrong, both of our children are very bright and they both love the Lord, but the outcomes of their educational experiences are worlds apart. Our oldest daughter has even commented on the positive differences that she sees in her sister's "education" vs. her own.

    Morgan, it would be a great idea for you and your husband to sit down together and make a list of what you both want your children to get out of "school". Remember, there is a lot more to "education" than just memorizing facts from books in order to get a good grade. What does that look like for your kiddos? Only you and God can decide that.

    If you have any further questions, or just need to talk, feel free to contact me. I'll send you my email address.

    Blessings!
    Richelle
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  9. It's such a tough choice isn't it? We're planning to homeschool but I will admit I'm nervous about the amount of work it will require. I think it will fit Bella's personality the best. But like you said you don't necessarily have to stick to one choice till the end.
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  10. what about doing virtual charter school? my sister-in-law does it and loves it... so she is at home learning... and my mil does Bible stuff with her at home but the rest of the stuff is just like what she would learn in school... just better... she is learning stuff now that is year a head of the public school...
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  11. Morgan, I know you know how much I advocate homeschooling and I echo what Analene says. When I had Little Man, I was teaching in a classroom. I thought that I would put him in the private school I was at and that would be the best education he could get. But then God changed my heart and I knew that homeschooling the kids would be so much more beneficial to them. I have never once second guessed my decision.
    Remember that you have been homeschooling your beautiful boy from the moment they were born. You have already taught them so many things and you can teach them everything else they need to know.
    So many of the most brilliant minds were homeschooled, including Thomas Edison, Leonardo Da Vinci, John Quincy Adams, and Mozart just to name a few. It is the world's view that says you need an institution and system with text books and workbooks and regurgitated information to be educated. But education is so much more than books and memorization. I am teaching my kids to figure things out, think for themselves, and how to learn, not just what to learn when. They are learning so much more than they could ever learn in a classroom and they love learning. I could not ask for more.
    I have tried many different methods of homeschooling and have found what works best for each of the kids. If you have any questions about different curriculum choices, cost (I homeschool practically for free.), time or whatever, feel free to ask. It is a tough decision but you will know when you make the right one.
    BTW - Great picture of your little man. :)
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  12. Good luck with your decision, Morgan! I was very bummed about being on the waiting list as well. We're #24 so hopefully she'll still be able to get in before school starts. I was happy for Jenna and Elliana though!
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  13. morgan i think you are absolutely amazing. i know you will make the right choice for your boys and they will thrive no matter what/where their education. you have given them, and continue to give them such an awesome foundation in their relationship with jesus AND their education. analene did put it very well, and i think if elliana didn't get into CCD i would want to do a homeschool program with you. my mom actually suggested that to me last week, before the lottery. can't wait to hangout tomorrow! :)
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  14. I signed Jai up at Chico Christian. I'm taking the tour and checking it out in March. I had a fabulous experience in Christian school until about 5th grade and I'd love to give that to Jai. I'm a lil' nervous about it, but Jai is sooo excited. He really really wants to go to a school with big kids.

    We'll have to commiserate about all this soon...

    Jody
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  15. Luckily in GA this isn't a decesion for us... they have to be 5 by sept 1 to go to kindergarten so charlie still has a year. BUT as a former first grade teacher I would totally say hold him a year. Boys, especially do SO much better being the oldest instead of the youngest.. I have never heard a parent say I wish my child would have finished school a year sooner, but many say, wow what a blessing an extra year at home would have been.... fall birthdays are hard for this reason!
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