I remembered that another girl at Baby Girl’s school had done homeschooling the year before, and that she was now back in public school. A child Baby Girl has grown up with and known since kindergarten, I decided to message the Mom.
Yes! She exclaimed, we loved it! If you only have one child I highly recommend it. I just couldn’t manage it with three. (I totally understand that!) She told me all about a place north of us in Collinsville that she said I needed to check out. A homeschool co-op. Now, I know next to nothing about homeschooling, other than I am responsible for Baby Girl’s education and all I can picture is her laying spread eagled on the floor refusing to do any work and crying, like what happened in COVID Kindergarten. I asked her what a co-op is and she told me the kids go there from nine to two Monday thru Wednesday. Well, that sounded ideal to me! Not having to be totally in charge, all by myself.
So I checked out their website. I read everything there was to read. I looked up homeschooling in Texas. Super easy – there are no rules in Texas. All I have to do is withdraw her from public school with my intent to homeschool and viola! Home school child. Well, this doesn’t sound too bad, I thought to myself. She’s still out of the house Monday thru Wednesday for a few hours, I’ll teach her myself on Thursdays and then we’ll have Fridays off. Which is perfect for going to horseshows! I will no longer have to worry about how many days of school she is missing. In Texas, in public school, you have to go to school 180 days, 170 of which you must be present. Baby Girl has already missed 7 days due to horseshows (and horseshow hangovers). It stresses me out.
This alone is not a reason to homeschool, I know. But it sure makes me happy. Plus, this particular homeschool is all about nature, and somatically learning – it’s aptly called The Wild School. They are very serious about the kids learning to love themselves and each other, love nature and work with it. They offer gardening, sewing, cooking and mindfulness activities in addition to the regular reading, riting and rithmatic.
There will be only four other girls in her “pod.” We skipped regular school on Tuesday and went to visit. At first I stayed with her, and Baby Girl was shy and withdrawn. I left at lunchtime and later she told me – “it’s a good thing you left!” She was much more open and engaged without me there. The place is just the director’s home, with a large open garage that serves the younger kids and a large building down the hill that serves the older ones. Lots of dirt and animals. Two cats, a Great Pyrenees and a pig called Olive. I need to teach these kids about horses, I thought to myself! They would love it. I wonder if they do field trips? Lots of sunshine and rain, mud and flowers and things to explore. They do journaling each morning. They do yoga occasionally. They consistently work together as a team. I’m impressed even while I’m slightly astounded and intimidated at my surroundings. It’s all so different.
Baby Girl was more cautious than me. She wasn’t sure. The next night her Daddy, herself and myself went to their end of school party and watched a documentary that the kids had made themselves, involving every kid (and animal) in the school. Daddy said – this is what she needs. The decision was made.
When it came time to tell her teachers at public school, one of them wasn’t there that day and that made Baby Girl really sad, so I promised I would email her. One of the teachers was completely shocked and the other one (the homeroom teacher) cried, and thru her tears said it makes sense for us (with the horseshows).
Two of Baby Girl’s friends came up to me and told me they objected to her leaving. And I said, well it makes sense for her. One of them said “yeah, with all her habits.” WTH does that mean? I was annoyed and even more sure we were making the right move.
I feel complete relief at the decision we have made. And as I am a teacher at heart, I’m looking forward to supplementing her education – as long as she will listen to me! Which she swears she will. We will learn about grief (long overdue), we will learn about the Bible, puberty, how to do a load of laundry, how to clip the horses, give them shots and de-worm them. We will learn about money and checking accounts and debit cards. There are so many, many options and I am open to all of them.
We will go to the theatre, the aquarium and the arboretum. The possibilities are endless! I have to admit I am excited, and really can’t wait to get started. Maybe this is what Baby Girl has needed all along and I was just slow to realize it. Maybe she and I will get closer and have more respect and admiration for each other thru this process, maybe there will be less fighting and loud voices and tears and hurt feelings.
Maybe there will be less “I don’t feel goods” and “My head hurts” and tears when I pick her up from school. Maybe this will be a life changer.
Fingers crossed and please send prayers and good vibes. Our hearts and minds are open and excited for this new adventure.
