Needless to say after the first quarter, and after several less than satisfactory issues at the charter school, I was homeschooling my kindergartners. I had never before felt compelled to homeschool, but prayer helped me acknowledge and accept this new chapter in my life. I could not quiet the gentle but firm prodding of the Holy Spirit. I knew deep down that a Christian curriculum is what my children needed. Obviously my husband had his doubts about me being able to actually stick with it and not fall asleep during teaching time. So far I have proved him wrong ;)
With all the endless resources available to us via the internet and social media, homeschooling today is easier than it has ever been. I chose to base our curriculum on A Beka Books www.abeka.com . I had used it as a student in junior high and high school and knew it was a challenging and upright program. I have also pieced together some parts of their learning with buying fun learning aids from Lakeshore Learning and using some websites for free printable worksheets and activity ideas. My favorite website/blog by far is www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com. It is a Christian based site and covers all topics, gives craft ideas, hosts awesome giveaways, and gives general advice about what you will need to start your homeschool classroom.
Some of the perks of homeschooling include: flexibility, different learning styles, control over your child's education, merging a variety of curriculum, more free time for music and sports, individualized teaching and interaction, Bible time, and watching your child blossom right before your eyes.
Special challenges of homeschooling that PWN face: feeling less than peppy in the morning, getting your child's day started before the overwhelming need for a mid morning nap sneaks up, getting distracted with laundry or cleaning while your kids are patiently waiting for you at their school desk, falling asleep mid lesson, organizational/structure challenges and the overall feeling of fatigue that taunts at you to just have a "play day" instead of school.
I'm not going to lie, I have fallen asleep right in front of my kiddos, mid-lesson! They know mommy has narcolepsy so they say, "Mommy, mommy, you're falling asleep!". They giggle, they're so sweet. Sometimes, we break for "recess" and mom gets a rest while they color or play. If we haven't finished our lessons, we simply pick up when I muster up a bit more energy. The beauty of Kindergarten is that it only takes about 1-2 hours. It's very manageable and flexible. As for my older two who are both doing online public high school, they are more self driven and I don't have to hold their hand through everything, we use Connections Academy. It has been a great program for us in Nevada. Even though it yields to Common Core standards, at least I am present to correct or discuss things if necessary.
So if you have ever contemplated homeschooling your kids, don't let your narcolepsy hold you back! My biggest tip, set a wake up time and do normal morning activities, (breakfast and getting dressed) for both you and the kiddos. Have a regular school "start time", its easier to stick to when it feels more structured. It does take a bit of research and time to get your curriculum in order, but once you have it, you're golden:) Don't have room for a classroom in your house? A breakfast bar or dinner table does just fine, and when weather permits, we school outside! It's fabulous :) Homeschooling is hard work and sometimes challenging to push through fatigue but it's been more than rewarding. I look forward to posting more about this topic and hope to hear from fellow homeschooling PWN! Blessings of Health-Hilary
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