Today = One BIGsmall Reason I LOVE Being Home Full Time

10/27/2011

Today it is gray and wet outside. Today Marisol woke up with a slight fever, headache, runny nose, and zero appetite. Gerry is still coughing. We are all recovering from our wet adventure of yesterday (read here about that and see some pictures here). And so today was a no-brainer. It is a home on the couch in jammies, watching TV, playing computer games, resting, eating soup, applesauce, and crackers kind of day.

But if I were working or Marisol went to school, I know that it would NOT be a "no-brainer" for me. I would agonize and debate about whether we should stay home. I would justify either decision. I would second-guess myself. I would feel guilty. How do I know? Because when I was a student in school and then a teacher that is what I did when I was sick.

Now this is why I called it a "BIGsmall" reason that I love being home. Because this may not seem like a big deal to some people. Or for others this may not be an issue - they may be clearer on when their bodies and spirits really need a day (or more) at home to rest and recover, or even heal. (I'm guessing in our fast-paced, competitive culture that there are plenty of people who push through when they should be resting though.) Of course I appreciate that staying home is not for everyone (read or re-read my disclaimer). But for me today embodies a bigger idea that being home represents to me - FREEDOM. Freedom to listen to our needs. Freedom to follow our own natural rhythms. Freedom to choose what we make of each day. And that to me is priceless.

I know that not everyone is lucky enough to have this luxury. So on days like today, even though we are not 100% healthy, I am thankful. Thankful for the life we are living, thankful for my husband, and thankful for the two small people we learn with and from every day.

5 Comments

Mom

10/28/2011 12:44:06 am

I always felt lucky that I was able to stay home when you were babies! Haha, when you went to school you were never sick, right?! ;-)

Susan

10/28/2011 01:20:12 am

Haha Mom - luckily we weren't sick that often so it wasn't much of an issue! We sure did have good attendance ;-) One time that sticks out in my mind is I was REALLY sick but went to school anyways so I wouldn't miss playing in a Basketball game.

Sarah

11/14/2011 10:18:23 am

I love not having to be a slave to the school system's schedule! Although I do feel a bit of guilt when we miss a day, even due to illness; those darn NY state homeschool regulations!! What are the regulations like where you live?

11/14/2011 09:44:04 pm

Sarah-

The regulations are much more relaxed here in VA (if you look at the country's map it is one of the middle of the range as far as regulation)- this is our first official year HSing. So I had to send in our NOI (notice of intent) which was pretty easy. Basically a letter with my child's date of birth, that we plan on HSing, and then I sent my teaching certificate (could have used my HS diploma though) and a VERY brief "curriculum" description. And by brief I mean I literally wrote 3 sentences!

This year that's all I have to do! After Kindergarten you have to sent the NOI the summer before the school year and then you have to send in some kind of evaluation (no evaluation needed for Kindergarten though) the following June to show progress - it can be a test, or you can have someone come to your home to "evaluate". But I still don't have to do that till the summer of 2013, so not too worried about that yet.

NYS is one of the *HARDEST* states to homeschool in - especially if you want to unschool - but I know of people that do it. I would love to be back home and close to family, but for HSing, I'm actually glad to not have to deal with all the regulation!

11/15/2011 12:49:58 am

Hi Susan!! Thanks for the reply!

Yes, NY is one of the "hardest" states as far as regulations go. When we were still in AZ and getting ready to move back to NY, I was researching NY state requirements online and it was quite intimidating! But, now that we are in the thick of it and actually doing it, it's not as bad as it seemed from all the reading I did. Yes, it's more paper work than most other states, but it's doable. That's where my guilt comes in (and stress too) when we miss a day - because I still have to "answer" to someone about our homeschooling. So that just adds a little stress to my schooling. I've been trying hard this year to not get too stressed about it; so far, so good! I do miss AZ when it comes to homeschooling because all you had to do was send in you LOI (letter of intent) ONE time!! And that's it!! Some days I wish we lived in TX where there aren't any regulations!!

I LOVE that you are homeschooling Susan! I can tell you have a love and passion for it and your children (and all that you do)! I don't know too much about unschooling, but from what I understand of it, I really like the idea; just living life and learning as you go! For me though, it doesn't really fit my personality. I need more of a concrete plan and need to be able to check off our progress to that I can "see" what we have accomplished!!

So excited for this season of your life Susan! I enjoy reading your thoughts and ideas!!

Today = One BIGsmall Reason I LOVE Being Home Full Time

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