We’re leaving public school, moving to homeschooling for the upcoming year and we are devastated.
It’s taken weeks, pro/con lists and tears to come to this decision. I also know I’m not alone trudging through the options. My kids and I absolutely adore our little school. Jackson has been navigating the halls since well before his Kindergarten year. Sofia can barely make it to her classroom in the morning because she talks to every teacher, student and administrator on her way. I’ve been on PTA since the summer BEFORE she started Kindergarten and have been President of the PTA for 2 years running.
This time for the past 2 years I’ve spent countless hours with my PTA board turned great friends planning out the entire school calendar. Right now I should be been planning and stuffing every welcome folder for each family to start the new year. I’ve missed meeting the teacher at Meet the Teacher because I was helping guide our amazing school families to their class or answering questions on how to get involved. I’ve mentored, taught after school classes, substitute taught in these rooms. I know some many little faces, I’ve helped tie shoes and open juice boxes. This school has been our home away from home. But now we are leaving.
You aren’t alone
I know so many share my anxiety on making the “right” decision. I’ve talked to friends in other states. For the first time a huge group of us are actually going through the same stress. The unknown of how this upcoming school year will look. This will be the first day of (new) school for all of us.
Make the best decision for you
I toiled over the options of going back to school in the fall. My kids and I quite literally cried over the decision. It’s not lost on me that homeschooling is a huge privilege and one that many parents can’t or don’t feel equipped to manage. Some parents are still fighting to get needs met for their special needs students, how will therapies, IEP’s and 504 plans be managed remote?
I know some parents are stressed to the brink about needing to work full time while managing their kids schooling. How do you give work the time it needs while helping young kids mange their day? Some parents work out of the house and need brick and mortar.
Remember: This is no one’s first choice
With all the stress going on, the last thing we need to do during this time is judge others for their choices. Parenting is hard enough. We’ve had the breastfeeding/formula debates, working moms versus stay at home, attachment parenting or free range and we don’t need to add another to the list! This year, however it looks for any of us, wasn’t in the original plan.
We will make it through this friends! It may look different than last year but we will find our groove. And if not, hit me up on IG and we can share crying emojis whenever you want!
