The scoop

I just wanted to briefly post about some of the reasons we are sending the younger boys to Elementary school. Since we lost our income in January, and have yet to recover any portion of it, our entire way of life has shifted. I am physically not able to homeschool the 4 children on the levels that they are in. Luke is not reading, Amanda is behind, and her assignments and tests have to be tweaked to fit her learning style and level. These 2 are incredibly time consuming. Luke on a minute by minute basis, and Amanda in the prep dept. Then you throw in the other 2, and add trying to acclimate Dania, it is too much. With the loss of income and my tutor giving birth in a month, it seems the road we traveled this past year is closed.

The other tricky thing is that, technically homeschooling has really worked for the majority of the people in our family, but one. While Ev has seemed to progressed nicely with reading and math, he has really struggled to find his place in the mayhem. He as a person is not thriving in the home environment. This has been so difficult to see and comprehend, it seems like a no-brain er that a child should thrive in a loving home, but he isn't. I can no longer do what is best for the family as a whole without compromising his well being. I have to start treating the children on an individual basis and not just a family unit basis. Homeschooling can be great and work beautifully, but the truth is, that is not true for our family. It has been quite a struggle for us the past 2 years, and with the new addition it became even more evident that we had some big problems. I'm not putting all my eggs of hope in the ps basket, but it is one tool that hasn't been used. I am hoping that it will make a difference, and our house will be more unified, but my fingers are crossed. I didn't want to single him out and just send him, so we decided to send Luke as well, he is struggling academically under my tutelage and I think the discipline of public school will be very good for him. Although he doesn't NEED this, I think it has it's place and will be beneficial.

Finally, we may be starting over from a business standpoint, and Nate has needed me and the kids to help him. I will probably be taking on some part time work with him, as well as Amanda. Ideally, if we get money any time soon, I would be sending Austin to the private christian school nearby. He would be in 7th or 8th grade and then could continue there through high school. It has always been my desire that they go to school (private) for high school, so I am hoping that we will be in a position to send just him next year.

I am not trying to justify my decision, just clarifying for the curious. I feel that it is important to tell the truth, and not paint a picture that isn't reality. It is so easy in blogworld to convey an ideal that doesn't live up to the reality. I never want to cause anyone to feel discontent about their circumstances, so it is important to me to show the inside and outside of my cup.