After 7 years of contemplation and testing the waters, we have finally plunged into home schooling. It felt unusually sane the first couple of days, but we're adjusting to the increased sibling harmony as their regard for age barriers diminishes. We're orienting ourselves to the pleasure of two or more family meals daily. We'll acclimate to the boundless curiosity and lightening speed at which the children absorb and apply new information. The pace had been so measured and steady. It's a little weird, right now, having the only kids on the block who get more than 20 minutes of recess, know the pledge of allegiance and have a field trip every week. And without 2-3 hours of homework following 6.5 school hours we'll have to make the evening transitions sans the homework induced whining and family tension we had perfected. It is hard to give up something you're really good at, but we all have to make sacrifices for the greater good sometimes. This is that time for us.
