• Home
  • About
  • Wild Olive Tees
  • No Hands But Ours
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Ni Hao Y'all

when east meets south

  • Ni Hao Y'all
  • Faith
    • my faith
  • adoption
    • special needs adoption
      • clubfoot
      • Down syndrome
      • dwarfism
    • shared list
    • advocating
  • family
    • Magnolia
    • Clementine
    • Tallula
    • Poppy
    • Esther
    • Vivienne
    • Shepherd
    • Jude
    • Isabelle
    • Sophie
    • Dalton
    • Asher
    • Zach
    • Victoria
  • Life
    • memory lane
    • what works for us
    • things I love
    • Q and A
    • marriage
    • cooking
    • celebrations
    • blogging
      • love others
      • kudos
  • photography
    • photography 101
    • Sunday Snapshot

homeschooling – an update

Some of y’all have asked how the homeschooling-thing is going.

And, since I’ve got a whole three whole months under my belt, I thought I’d give a quick update.



The truth is, it’s going great. Really great.

I am honestly surprised at how much Asher is enjoying homeschooling. But even more, I am surprised how much I am enjoying homeschooling.

Because, you see, it was me I was most worried about. I just didn’t think I could do it. At least not well.

In the past, I’ve homeschooled several of my kiddos for various and sundry reasons. Victoria when she was in the 3rd grade. Zach when he was in the 4th. And, well… it was exhausting. And frustrating. For everyone involved. I just put way too much pressure on myself, and my unfortunate pupils. We limped through the end of those two years, hoping to never crack another book.

So I was hesitant to even consider homeschooling Asher. I know he’s pretty bright and wouldn’t require a lot of effort to teach the basics. But still.

Eventually, homeschooling became the only option for Asher. So I decided to try to learn from my mistakes and ease up this time. Even if it meant *gasp* not finishing everything on time.

He still has to get up at 5:30 – that would just be not fair for him to sleep in – and has breakfast with his brothers and sisters. Then, once the kiddos get on the bus, he gets to work. Usually alongside me while I have my quiet time. Most of the curriculum we chose is self-led, and he’s been doing a fantastic job to just get it done on his own. I have noticed that he gets a lot more done of the subjects he loves (math!) and a lot less of those he doesn’t love so much (writing), but that’s okay for now.

He’s also had a chance to do a lot of cooking. And grocery shopping. Going to the library. Reading his Bible. Asking big questions. Helping with barn work. Pitching in with the littles. Real life stuff that, I think, is going to make him into a better husband and father one day. I can’t say that homeschooling is the best decision for all kids, or even for all of my kids. And, of course, there’s no telling what the future holds. But for Asher, for now, it’s absolutely the best decision. He’s got his smile back. And I am one happy mama.

For once, I’m so glad I was wrong. Thanks to everyone who offered advice and encouragement when we were getting started. It’s been a huge blessing to us.


  • Email
  • Facebook
  • More
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
«
»

01.12.12 · Asher, homeschool 14

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    January 12, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    So glad it’s going well! 🙂 I’m looking forward to homeschooling our kiddos next year!!! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Emily says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    So happy it’s going well!!! Love being at home with my kiddos!!!

    Reply
  3. Alison says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    As an aspiring homeschooling mom, posts like this are such an encouragement to me – thanks for sharing some of your life and your heart here!

    Reply
  4. Jean says

    January 12, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    So glad it is going well for you and Asher!

    And while we are on the subject of Asher- wow- he has a nice big foot!

    My hubby has a 12 but and our oldest got close with a 11.5- 12 but each one after that has a smaller foot! I was certain they were sucking the life right outta me- maybe I was right??

    Blessings to you and your homeschooling!!

    Reply
  5. Aus says

    January 13, 2012 at 7:56 AM

    Glad it’s working for y’all – that’s what it’s about. Like you said – not the best choice for everyone – but for those it works for it’s the best choice of all!

    hugs – aus and co.

    Reply
  6. Heather says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:42 AM

    Your success with Asher is so encouraging to me! I mentioned before that we are having similar struggles with my oldest. We have reached the end of our options as well and I find myself both excited and dreading the idea of homeschool. But, of all of my kids, he is the one I feel like I *can* teach and he will thrive in the home environment. When you wrote “He’s got his smile back,” that is exactly what I pray will happen for my son. I miss it!

    I will keep praying, for both of our boys.

    Reply
  7. martha says

    January 13, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    Glad it’s working well with you. Homeschooling is awesome…and sometimes I too put pressure on myself and end up frustrating the kids…why do i do that? Our best days are when I’m not worrying about finishing a certain amount of stuff or worried about this and that…

    Reply
  8. Kim from 3 peanuts says

    January 13, 2012 at 12:05 PM

    I am just THRILLED that it is going well for y’all.

    Reply
  9. LeeAnne says

    January 13, 2012 at 6:21 PM

    My best friend homeschools here in Australia, six kiddies at home 24/7. She is awesome! The kids have done really well. She suggests (often!) that I should do the same… but like you – its not about whether the kids could do it – its me. And quite frankly – your initial attempts with Victoria and Zach – are exactly what I envisage!! So my kiddies stay in a lovely Christian School, not far from home. I don’t love everything about the school/education – but I reckon it’d have to be a million times better than me!!! So glad its going well – live and learn, hey?!

    Reply
  10. Stephanie says

    January 13, 2012 at 9:51 PM

    YAY for homeschooling!! We’re on year 2…love it.

    Reply
  11. stacy says

    January 13, 2012 at 9:57 PM

    Congratulations! So glad it is working out.

    Reply
  12. Heather Peterson says

    January 14, 2012 at 12:28 AM

    Wow that is awesome to hear! What a blessing! Living in China our options are very limited and I have zero teaching ability. So my very amazing husband has taken on the task of homeschooling our oldest. Which is the worlds greatest blessing to me! I hope it gets better and better for Asher!

    Reply
  13. Jill Shelton says

    January 14, 2012 at 3:32 AM

    there is NOTHING better than having your child’s smile back.. <3

    Reply
  14. Wendy says

    January 14, 2012 at 11:00 AM

    Yay! I’m glad it is working out so well…and so glad he has his smile back!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

I'm Stefanie. Wife to one, mom to 13. Occasional blogger and t-shirt maker. Wannabe photographer and exerciser. Constant grace-needer and orphan advocator. more
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS

Subscribe

instagram

see more...follow us on IG

our china journeys

magnolia - 2016
clementine - 2014
tallula - 2012
penelope - 2011
vivienne - 2010
shepherd - 2008
jude - 2007
sophie - 2006
isabelle - 2005

ways to make a difference

Love Project

proceed with caution

a dirty secret in adoption
we don't celebrate gotcha day
there's no such thing as an easy adoption
if I can, you can.
co-sleeping, why we do it.
gawsh. the series.
crazy
affording adoption
God and me.
Vivi's diagnosis
the ugly, beautiful truth
special needs: my .02
my testimony
dear anonymous
my chinese son

Creative Commons License

Copyright © 2023 · Darling theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Darling Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.