Screaming in the backyard......or why we homeschool

After homeschooling the Zman all the way through high school, I thought that my homeschooling days were over. And I was sad about that. It was an adventure that I loved and that I think served our whole family very well. Zman did well in college (graduating summa cum laude, thank you very much) proving that I probably didn't ruin him or his life. And I'd say that Zack was pretty satisfied with the process as well. Not that it didn't have its bumps and hurts. Nothing is without them. But overall a good decision for us.

But, it was over and time to move on to the next thing. Until this school year, when my sisterfriend asked me if I would halp her with Algebra and my nephew. Sure.

And that turned into more. Three days a week of helping homeschool my niece and nephew. Putting together ideas and curriculum (my favorite hobby!).

Then McKid's mom started thinking about adding the McKid to the mix, and I was more than willing. So, after six weeks or so in 3rd grade public school, McKid came home, too.

So now, 5 days a week with a 3rd/4th grader, 3 days a week adding in 7th and 9th graders. It's different--the Zman was an only child and my only full time student (though I did tutor others through the years).

Whew. It's more work than I remembered. But it's so very wonderful. At the moment I have 3 kids in my backyard, screaming over a lizard they found, trying to decide what to do with it. LET IT GO! says the aunt/grandma/teacher. Lord knows all I need is a lizard to add to 2 barking dogs, pile of books, math sheets and a potato growing on top of my water dispenser (don't ask).

But to have kids running and screaming again in the backyard, after discussing simple machines and Lao Tzu?

Priceless.