I started homeschooling this child in 2008, Kindergarten. Can we just take a sec and cry a good day’s worth of tears?! I miss Kindergarten!! From K-4th I did it on my own thru the county. Then 5th-8th he attended homeschool “private schools”. The 1-2 day / week deal where I had very limited input and became the homework checker. Then when he started 9th grade high school I had him stay home for the first semester so we could all travel 2 weeks to Italy. Because I’m selfish like that. I put him in public school after that semester and he’s been in public school (Orlando & Colorado) ever since.
Until Covid.
We tried to work through the fun obstacles of “hybrid learning”. Which meant he attend school with 1/2 the school two days each week and stayed home for 3 days. However, the amount of time behind the laptop – 6 classes 50 minutes, getting off 10 minutes “early” was considered “unexcused absence”. He had 24 unexcused absences in one month.
Then in November the state sent all the children home. Returning in March for more hybrid couch learning. Some “senior year”. My son was going to win: Most Likely to Sit on the Couch and Grow Mold! I’ve had alls I can takes and I can’t takes no more!
My average B student, highly artistic and creative, had become a high D student because of online glitches, teacher’s unfamiliarity with online learning platforms, zero uniformity among teachers, attendance times / participation, and more ridiculousness. I’m all for: learn what you have to learn & get off the darn thing.
I wanted to work with the guidance counselor since the man-child only needed 3 classes to graduate. English, American Government, and Science. Hoping we could limit his “required time online” to the absolute bare minimum. Sadly, to be enrolled in public school one must take at least 5 classes. That’s 2 hours too long to sit on a laptop every day in my opinion. So we ditched public school.
Home again home again giggity gig!
The man-child decided to double up on work and finish high school “early”. While working 2 part time jobs. He opened the swimming pool at the rec center and worked as a lifeguard at 5:30am. He came home around lunch to nap and do homeschool. Then in the early evenings he headed to the “Ninja Gym” to flip his way around teaching little kids how to become future American Ninja Warriors. Later at night he worked more to finish classes.
Of course I had a blast creating “final exams” for the 3 classes, and he did great. I can’t believe we’re done. No more pencils, no more books. No more teacher’s dirty looks !! He plans on attending Front Range Community College and entering their Graphic Design program. I love they cut all the nonsense classes and get straight to “work force ready”. All of his classes – with the exception of 1 math and 1 English – all deal with art, graphic design, etc. No filling electives to spend money on courses he’s not interested in taking. I’m very proud he has worked so hard and has a good deal of money already saved up. I had nothing when I graduated high school.
Yup, I have a lump in my throat. But I’m thankful we are here now. I’m proud of his gifts and abilities. I love little kids look up to him like he’s a superhero. I am thankful he comes to my rescue whenever I need him. I’m thankful he still wants to watch movies with me and sends me dumb IG memes that make me howl with laughter. I’d never give up our homeschool journey – I’d do it all over again! I have no regrets.
