It has been 2 + months since Quinn went back to school, and since I can now talk about it without bawling, I thought an update was in order.
The first week he went back was Rough. Day one went well, but the rest of the week both of us were in tears. He missed me, and I missed him. There was also the issue of his teacher. She has a very dry sense of humor, and this is hard for an 8yo to understand. For Quinn, it came across that she was mean. So, we met with the counselor, talked with the teacher, and carried on.
Within a week or 2, he was well adjusted, happy and LOVED his teacher. His grades are in the uppr 90′s-100′s, he is reading on a 5th grade level and most improtantly, he is having a blast. I can’t tell you how relieved I am that the schooling we did at home didn’t just keep him up with his class, he surpassed the 2nd grade in every area save for spelling (he is on target for his age). Whew. So, all is well with my little Quinny.
Me? I miss him still. If he wanted to come home, that would be fine with me. But there is one thing……I am really enjoying some one on one time with Mia. We spend our days together doing crafts, some worksheets, going to the beach, shopping and whatever we feel like. It has been a nice, silver lining to a tough desicion.
I am now trying to decide if Mia will start Kindergarten at the end of August. She wants to and then she doesn’t. She talks about it all the time, because the 3 little girls next door that she plays with all go to school. We have several options to chose from….just not sure I want her to go at all. We have started a nice little homeschool co-op here, and she is meeting some sweet little girls who are also in her ballet class.
On the one hand, it would be nice after 14 1/2 years to have some time to myself during the day. I could load up my board and go surfing in the mornings. Exercise could be a daily thing again. Billy and I could have alone time every day at lunch and on his 1/2 weekday off.
On the other hand, my anxiety level with Mia is so intense, I am not sure if I could send her out to the care of others all day without flipping a gasket. And the plan and simple truth is that I just enjoy being with her. I am not sure I want to give that up.
Anyhow, there we are in regards to school. Oh, and for something to really weird you out…..we just registered Cory for high school. HIGH SCHOOL!!! Insane.
Where on earth does time go???
Time does fly…my oldest is off to middle school next year (grades 6-9 in France) and she’s ready and excited, me, not so much when I see the size and attitude of some of those bigger kids. But I worry more about my youngest, who seems more influence-able…I will always have an eye on her
It does seem odd that you’ll have a high schooler. Just doens’t seem like he’s old enough yet! LOL.
PS: The Mia thing – I think it’s just a ” my ‘baby’ is old enough for school? But.. I’m not ready!” issue perhaps more than a homeschooling thing. ???? The last one is always hard to let go but also she is your little baby girl.
You are so strong, to make the right decision for your kiddos, even when it is tough. And I am glad he is thriving. Sometimes a year out of the loop is just the ticket.
You will know what to do with Mia when it comes right down to it.
you said it yourself Jody, Where does the time go?? Would you rather your kids childhood be filled with school memories or home and family memories?
Kids can and do learn everywhere and anywhere, it doesn’t have to be a formal setting.
always with love, Vicki
Good luck making a decision on school for Mia.
And umm…high school?! No way. You can’t have a kid old enough to be in high school.
I’m so glad he’s happy and doing well. I took Fletch out of 2nd grade 3 weeks ago. Now the dilemma is do we send Mel to K next year? She’s reading, I think she’ll be bored BUT, she’s a social creature and would probably have fun. Where is that darn instruction book anyway? Oh, and here’s weird, next year my oldest will be a senior. Yikes!
It’s good to hear Quinn is thriving. Is 1/2 day kindy an option? That way you could get some alone time and still have dedicated Mia time. My youngest is 1/2 day this year and it’s perfect. In fact, I wish ALL my kids could be 1/2 day — a whole day is too darn long.
I’m glad that you are at peace with your decision regarding Quinn, and that he is thriving.
We are facing a kindergarten decision here, too. Not whether to homeschool or not, but whether to send my late November birthday daughter to kindergarten this fall or next. I think I have decided to wait, but she will got to a preschool/kindergarten program where she will learn at her own pace, and then we will decide the next fall whether to enroll her in kindergarten or first grade. It is a hard decision because I’m told that maturity issues don’t arise now, but rather later, in middle school. But since there is no harm in waiting, and potential harm in starting too early, I am leaning toward waiting.
Iam glad he is adjusting and i could understand with mia she is a sweety
My boy is 8, in school, a good student and also enjoys the social part of school. But from the time he started kindergarten (cried every day for the first 2 weeks!) he has wished the same thing: to stay home with me all day. And secretly, I have the same wish.
As for your girl, keep her home if that’s what you both want. I work in education and I think we start kids in formal schooling too soon anyway. They have their whole lives to be in school. Peace.
You will have to send her sooner or later–why not later???
Jody: Exactly! I may just do K-3rd and send her on in 4th. Not sure yet.
Oh Lord, what a breathtaking child he is. There is just something ethereal about him. I am so happy he is thriving and doing well.
Mia off to kindergarten next year.. Wow! I’m sure whatever you decide for her will be right, because you have already proven your ability to make decisions for your children that take into account what *they* want and what is best for *them*. Not everyone can do that.
And remember, whatever you decide..it doesn’t mean it can’t be reversed. Thinking about it like that makes it seem far less scary, IMO.
One question I had- Is your anxiety level about Mia so intense because she is your youngest? Your only girl? Or is there something else there that I have missed?
Jody: Thanks Leann! I had 4 miscarriages before getting pregnant with Mia. It was a really rough time in our lives. My pregnancy with her was emotionally difficult….I was so afraid of losing her…and the anxiety carried on into her delivery and beyond. It is soooo much better now, and only gets bad when she is sick or with a big life change such as school. I am learning to trust God with her and let it go, but it is hard at times to override it.
xo,
Leeann
niccofive.blogspot.com
My boy is 8, in school, a good student who enjoys the social part of school, too. But since he started kindergarten (cried every day for the first 2 weeks!) he has maintained the same wish: that he could stay with me every day. Secretly, I wish he could, too.
As for your girl, keep her if that’s what you both want. I work in education and my belief is that we start kids in formal schooling too early anyway.They have their whole lives to be in school. Peace.
I am glad Quinn adjusted well. It is quite the transition to make to go into a new school. I know as I did it every year until I was 12.
I would contact the school district you are thinking of sending Mia to and asking if she can attend one day or half a day near the end of this year just so she will get an idea of what school can be. Here they take the preschoolers to the kindergarten for half a day so they can experience it before they get there.
I can totally understand your desire to have some alone time too. For the first time in 14 years I am about to have that myself. I am excited and scared all at the same time.
High school!? Holy moly! My oldest will be in 8th grade next year and I am having a hard time with that. When did we get so old?
Ohhh and yah for Quinn, he is adorable, and I am so glad he is thriving, and if there comes a time and he is not again, you WILL know and the awesome mom you are will be able to step back in again. I just love how you let him go and let him make the decision, what a mom!!!
Man I know just where you are for sure on the whole school delemia, I was the same way with my daughter, she was soooo shy and we made the decision to put her in just for the social skills, it took alittle time but it was so the best thing, she loved it being around all the little girls.
I know about time flying my son is a senior and it is the last year to do pick ups and running here and there but i know I will enjoy next year when I can have that freedom in the next season of life and there is definately something to be said for that as well.
I know God will show you what is best in every area of your life Jody , there is no doubt!
I have an 8 yo boy, too. It’s a hard age. Third grade seems so much more intense than second. I’m glad to see that Quinn is doing well and enjoying it.
I love his wavy hair!
I totally understand the “do we send them”/”do we keep them” trap in our minds. We are currently re-evaluating our schooling situation for next year. I think we are homeschooling….scary!
Jody: Oh wow! Exciting! Do you have a curriculum? Off to check your blawg……..