Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad…Generally Speaking

It’s true that two out of three isn’t bad…when you’re talking odds. But when number three is a real live person (who happens to be your child) it’s another thing entirely.

Three of my previously homeschooled little Shoes started school (for the very first time) last week. Tessie and Gus both enjoy it very much and seem to consider our public school experiment a success. Will, on the other hand, deems it a complete failure. He told me, when I picked him up this afternooon, that he hates it and doesn’t want to go back. Unfortunately, it’s not the first time he’s told me that. I think he feels like he can’t do anything right. He wants so much to please his teacher but I don’t think teachers generally appreciate the easily distracted, impulsive, high volume, sensitive types such as Henry. Heck, to be perfectly honest, I don’t always appreciate that type either. You know, I think I’ve been down this road before – 11 years ago when Ethan was in first grade. It’s the road that led us to homeschooling in the first place and I don’t want to travel it again!!! I’m not sure what my alternatives are though. Is there something I’m not thinking of? I can leave Henry in school and watch him struggle, and suffer and possibly learn to dislike himself, or I can bring him home again and be right back to where we were a few weeks ago. This is one of those times when the saying “ignorance is bliss” rings so true. I could use a little ignorance right now.  If only I didn’t know what I know about homeschooling! If only I didn’t know that it works!  If only I didn’t know it is an option! Right now I want to be one of those mothers who can say, without a doubt in her mind, that there is NO WAY she could homeschool her kids. I want to believe that the road we’re on is the only dang road there is!! That sure would make things easier for me. But who ever said this motherhood thing was going to be easy?

Okay – I’m finished…for now.