I had seriously considered homeschooling the boys after they completed their time in preschool. But after the very difficult summer I/we had, I now know that homeschooling is not in the immidiate future for us.
At the start of this summer, when the difficulties began, I had attributed it to the boys being creatures of habit...the lack of a strict daily routine...not as much active play...and not as much social interaction with their friends. But now, I wonder how much of it was me...
It took me a couple of months to realize that when the boys are in school, I'm a pretty different person. I eat better (usually a salad for lunch versus, during the summer, nothing at all or their lunch leftovers). I get 9 hours during the school week by myself (versus none during the summer). And I get way more adult conversation with other moms of preschoolers (as I work at their school 2 days a week with other moms and several of us stay on the playground every day afterschool with our kids).
Because their preschool is a co-op (with lots of parent participation) and because I'm the type of mama to consider homeschooling, it seems natural for me to want to be very involved in the boys elementary school.
At first I thought this made me a helicopter mom, hovering around my kiddos. Then I remembered that I was doing it for selfish reasons.
So now, I'm on the hunt for alternative elementary schools...ones that want (and even need) lots of parent particpation. I'm not interested in being on the PTA or fundraising but being in the classroom and knowing the other kids and parents.
Sorry boys! Expect to see me hovering for the next couple of years...
Oh yeah, and...only 13 days, 22 hours, 34 minutes and 56 seconds until school starts...but who's counting, right?
I was a good parent volunteer until I went back to work. :-) I'm sure you'll find a great school that will welcome parents. I know ours does.....but that would be a long commute each day!
ReplyDeleteYou're such a great mom and I wish you Good Luck on finding a great school for your kids.
ReplyDeleteYou are too cute. i am the same way. I think you are a great mom & that you do what is best for you and your family. Hover away is what I say.
ReplyDeleteWe have 7 days but who's counting ;) I like to be involved too and volunteer in the classroom and at our pto. If I could just throw in my 2 cents from a pta/pto perspective. It's not just about fundraising, we really do want parents involved b/c ultimately we're all working toward providing the best educational experience for all children (boy do I sound like an ad). Any hoo, I know at my school we want/need parents involved. Plus you develop a relationship with the administrators...always a good thing when it comes to class/teacher assignments. Good luck finding your school.
ReplyDelete13... 12....11... 10... 9... 8...7... 6....5 ....5...4...3...2......1.... BLASTOFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI could no way no how not now not ever home school my kids. The internet takes up way too much of my time ;)
I love being involved in the kids school, too. Alex is such a boy of few words...I like to volunteer in his class so I get to know the kids and how he's learning. I agree that us moms are much different when the kids are in school and we all have our friends near! Good luck in your searching...I know for sure that I could not homeschool! I have a hard time helping Alex with homework...whew!
ReplyDeleteOnly a couple of years? I hovered all the way through high school and I encourage everyone to do it! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you find the school that works best for all of you. Here we have a program called Homelink. It's a "school" for homeschooling families. I know sounds strange but it was a good program. We used to participate, but then decided to just go back to schooling by ourselves.
ReplyDeleteYou should check out Overland- they need and want tons of parent involvement in the classroom and all of the activities that the kids do- Gardening, Art, Computer, Science, Library, PE, etc. Now more then ever they want tons of parent involvement.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I hover tons too :-)
ReplyDeleteour kids have been in school for 2 weeks :) and for the most part elementary schools love having parents around but you don't really interact with your own kids but with all kids or make copies or whatever they need.
ReplyDeleteI Waldorf homeschool w/ part time school on a 700 acre working farm kids hike ski skate snowshoe sled and in general get down and dirty all last week was spent knee deep in a creek looking for macro invertebrates-works for me
As you know, my beautiful daughter goes to a public Kindergarten. They highly encourage and welcome as much parent involvement as possible. I am volunteering a half day every Thursday. My Mom is going to be working in the art room with the Art teacher and my Mother in Law is already working with the Kinder teacher on various projects outside of the classroom. As soon as we know my daughter can handle another family member in the classroom with out freaking out when we leave (been a major problem-very clingy), she will be in the classroom, too. So, I'm not sure it needs to be an "alternative" school. I think any good school will welcome you. That's what they have "Room Mother's" for. My Mom was always at my school growing up. And, I promise, if you have a good teacher, he/she will want/need you in there and be very appreciative.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of that expression before...made me smile. Yet us mom's that hover are just being what we all need to be...involved! You are doing a great job!
ReplyDeleteCarey..you're too cute!! There's nothing wrong or selfish about wanting to be involved as much as you can!!
ReplyDeleteUgh, I tried the PTA route for about a year & couldn't stand it. It was like trying to fit into the popular crowd at high school!
ReplyDeleteI hope you find the right fit for you & your boys.
I'm with you sista!!
ReplyDeleteI have always been very visable in my kids schools, from the moment Alex started at 4 years old. And ever since with all three of them. I have no problem with being a hoverER. And as they contiune on growing I will keep on a HOVERING.
I hope you find what YOU and YOUR boys are looking for.
We only get one chance to be their momma's and believe me the years are SO much shorter than the days :)