It’s Getting to be that Time of Year

So, it’s just around the corner.

The first day of school!

As we close in on the end of summer, the kiddos and myself normally look at these last days of summer with trepidation. The approaching school year signifies changes we just don’t want to welcome.

Shorter, colder days.

Early morning rush to get ready and get to school on time.

No more up-all-night reading.

No more lounging and playing, soaking in the last rays of the sun at the end of an already warm day.

These are just a few of the things we miss during the traditional school year.

I am not a fan of snow (one slight dusting of snowfall to welcome the Christmas season is my limit).

Autumn/fall I can handle….beautiful colors, leaves falling from the trees, the earthy smells of homegrown vegetables simmering in soup…yes, fall is my favorite.

But, the changes we most don’t want to welcome is the rigorous and monotonous schedule of school. The schedule I am referring to is the 8:30 – 3:30 repetitive time frame. What the kids are doing in school through the day, they somewhat enjoy.

I am NOT a schedule person so this is extremely hard for me.

Also, our children currently attend private school and the cost is getting outrageously expensive. Rest-assured, I understand the cost and where the cost goes, but it’s just not feasible for us anymore

Therefore, this year, we are doing school a little differently. We are journey-ing into homeschool. I absolutely refuse to put my children in public school to be brainwashed by the masses. With homeschool, my hubby and I will be deciding how and what they are learning, within the confines of the law anyway.

But, our focus will continue to be Montessori style learning as we have discovered this hands-on style of learning is much more practical than the more lecture-based, technology-based, and/or differentiated instruction (to name only a few), that is traditionally used in schools. We want to prepare our children to live in a world in which they can be independent and self-reliant, much of which is our goal as a family on the ranch.

So, what will our ‘school day’ look like?

We are still working out the details of this. Stayed tuned for updates!