Back to School

The first day of school, September 1, 2010.

As an elementary school teacher by trade, I love teaching my children at home and homeschooling has provided so many opportunities to grow and learn together as a family. Homeschooling also helped our newest children focus on attachment without the daily distraction of school, as well as catching up academically because we could teach each subject bilingually at each child's appropriate skill level.

After 20 months home with our oldest children we realized that for the best interest of the entire family we needed to make a change for fall and we prayed and considered our options. Like I said, I love teaching my children at home, so enrolling them in any school option was a hard choice; however, we had specific learning objectives for each of our big girls that we felt would best be met in a school environment. We did understand that every educational setting comes with its share of ups and downs and we are still working through that transition together.

After much prayer and research we decided to enroll the big girls in a small charter school. I am often asked if it is the same charter school where I previously taught kindergarten and Spanish for five years, but it is not. God did not make a way for them to go to that specific school due to the lengthy waiting list - and that is okay. The charter school where they are at is much more urban and a very different setting. So far we have been pleased with the school's willingness to work with us as a team - and we are very happy for the girls and their overall transition to a school setting. Of course, I miss teaching them at home, but I am trusting God that this is for a season and that He has some important things for them at school and for the little kiddos who I am continuing to homeschool this year.

I have thought a lot about how to articulate our decision regarding sending only two of our children to school and keeping two at home this year. It would be a very lengthy discussion and I am not sure I would be able to communicate it clearly without sounding offensive regarding some of the needs represented in our home. It is best to just leave it with saying that we did our research* and spent much time and prayer considering our options and feel a great sense of peace with our choice for this year. One year, one season at a time.

*When we were researching and praying over schooling options for our children based on their past histories and present needs, I found the two blogs very helpful regarding thoughts on education. They are very encouraging, educational, and informative blogs on the general topic of faith and adoption. I would link the exact blog dates of education specific articles but I am not exactly sure how to do that for each of them, so if you are so inclined to check them out I'd recommend reading the August/September section of these blogs for school related topics:

• A Bushel and a Peck
• The Least Complicated