homeschooling- the path less traveled

Years ago I sent my older daughter to school because "everyone else was doing it".  She was going to the school.  You know the one.  Every parent dreams of sending their child there.  In my heart I knew it wasn't for me- for us- and I worried about her every day.  Turns out I had reason to do so.

She was being bullied- by girls.

Mean, rich girls.

But in kindergarten?

Oh yes, it starts young.

Preschool was a delight.  M loved it and I loved having time to do things like shop and read.  I'll admit it, "me time" is prettttty nice.  

But in kindergarten my husband and I were was told (by the principal) to basically "just get over it".  "Your daughter needs to learn to let these things go."  Then Mrs. Principal gave me a hug.  A HUG.  

All of a sudden I was back in junior high French class with Ms. Sullivan.  Her words echoing in my mind. "You'd sell our mother for an A!" and the command "Say Heil Hitler if you want a good grade!"  The school system had failed me back then and it was happening again.  I always believed that good would prevail but in this movie the villain wins.

I was afraid.  How could I teach my child??  No one else I knew did such a thing.  But you know what?  The thought of sending my daughter back to people that condoned bullies scared me even more.

And so we jumped off.  No more bullies, no more getting up early and way less worries.  (I still worry, just about different things.  Moms allwwaayys worry.)

Now we choose our own curriculum, travel "off season", and laugh at the thought of evolution.  We talk about God, eat lunch at Panera and go to the library all. the time.  When people ask if my children ever see kids their own age I have to laugh.  We do so much socializing that we have a tough time getting our school work done.  Besides, following the strongest personality/loudest mouth in the class isn't socializing.  That's peer pressure.

Yes, we fight.  Yes, we have tough days.  Yes, I want to run away from home occasionally.  But, I love my girls and feel beyond blessed that I get to stay home with them.  I'm a follower extraordinaire but I'm so happy that we chose the path less traveled.