This year has been an exploratory one. I as a new homeschooling mom have learned great lessons about patience, curriculum, children's read aloud books, science approaches and I'm even a better 'drawer' than I ever thought possible. Most importantly, I've learned to trust God in this whole process. I've got to be a witness to my children relaxing in life, being comfortable in their own skin. Friends and family have noticed the change as well. It's been evident in the way they carry themselves when around people they are and are not familiar with. They tend not to curl into themselves so much anymore when being somewhere new or slightly familiar. They often times ask to 'be brave' when we go out to run errands. They like to work on their responsibilities to earn their rewards.
I think the homeschool Co Op has been a huge success for all of us. I've enjoyed making new friends and getting to be a sponge around some of those ol' homeschool mom veterans. They have accepted us with no strings attached and have been so accommodating to the girls situation.
Our old public school as well has been such a joy. They've opened their arms into helping meet our needs when it come to the girls attending extra curricular classes and letting us have access to speech class and their therapist. The therapist has made great strides with them by getting them to speak outside of her office. She's been pushing them into other areas of the school such as hallways and the library but has not succeeded in getting them to talk inside a classrooms full of kids.
It's been a year of many great discoveries. I've learned there are more mundane days than good days, but I've chalked it up to a disenchantment with the curriculum we're using. We're bored and I just don't like the approach it uses in teaching some certain fundamentals. I've heard and read, these are the 'gentle years' so I'm not stressing it but am definitely looking into a new curriculum and a new approach for next year. Find a good curriculum fair to go to if you can. They are a great place to put your hands on things and decide what might be right for your family.
I have been reading some fun (read aloud) books this year. The girls and I devour chapter books. Many "Life according to Humprey" books, Winnie the Pooh, The Worst Witch series and Dear Hound . Which is why I'm looking into the Sonlight curriculum for next year. The kids have progressed in reading and their writing skills are adequate. They've learned how to tell time, count money and they know basic addition. But I'm thinking there must be a better way out there. We've learned bible stories and drew pictures. Their memorization of memory verses has blown me away! They memorize so easily. This one little piece of fact gives me great hope. They've spent a lot of time playing, making things and getting into trouble this school year. I've watched them become a better friend to one another and value the importance of being a family.
It's been a 'gentle year' indeed. I thank God for all the opportunity He's given us and the means by which they all became possible.
I meet a lady at Co Op who told me she had a niece who also was diagnosed with SM and that her parents found out in preschool, got her the needed therapy and now at age 11, you would have never known she had SM. What a great uplifting story!!! I certainly hope we will also be able to tell this same story one day in the not so distant future.
I pray I can impart onto you inspiration to not give up hope on your little ones who desire so desperately for their loved ones not to forsake them. Take a huge breath in and a step backward to celebrate and admire the little milestones your child has conquered and praise them at every chance for being brave.
