BACK TO SCHOOL continued BACK TO SCHOOL continued BACK TO SCHOOL con't next column BACK TO SCHOOL con't next column BACK TO SCHOOL con't p. 37 Back to School by Rebekah Sykes Back to school—these three little words pack a punch to the hearts of all mamas loading up lunch boxes and book bags as it’s back to school. To the homeschool mom, back to school means more responsibility as she prepares bulletin boards and lesson plans. The summer has raced away leaving regrets of needing more time together and of realizing so few things got checked off the list of summertime goals. Perhaps you grew a garden together, attended library story times, and walked a shoreline of aqua waves; time slipped away like the rising and falling tide. Photos record the memories of days overflowing with so much goodness and so little time. With so many different families represented, so many moms and babies, so many schedules, truly there are some moms who take up drinking after too many days at home with their children home. As a prior homeschooling mom, the stories on facebook after too many cancellations for snow days kept me laughing—especially the meme featuring Tyler Perry’s Madea holding the glock saying, “Cancel school one more time!” Ha! I’m still laughing... Anyway whether you’re dying for your children to start school or dying because they have to, back to school days are well upon us. With thirteen years of homeschooling my oldest from Kindergarten through twelfth grade along with his 4 brothers following his footsteps, this past May, I graduated my oldest son and graduated myself on to a new chapter. From homeschooling to public school, I enrolled all of my sons in 3 different schools with all different start times. Some days all of the transporting makes me wonder the sanity of my decision, but every day I get to work in my office at 10AM rather than starting work at 10PM, my heart smiles as putting the children in school was the best decision ever. I knew I was going to be six feet under if I didn’t start making the tough choices; hey I want to be around to see my investment into their lives blossom into greatness, which equals living God’s perfect will for their lives whether that includes the title of Janitor or President. All moms can agree on at least one thing, if our children are happy, fulfilled in purposeful living, and maxing out their God-given potential, then we are happy! No matter the choice of school and the reason for the choosing, we all want our children to be safe, happy, and learning. From private, to public, to homeschool, the options remain as various as the families represented with around 33 schools in Moore County and limitless homeschools. Having grown up in private, invested in homeschooling, and now enrolling my sons in public school presents interesting lessons learned. Being new to the public school system, I have learned so much! From the first day onward, I’ve failed many tests, but I promise I will do my homework. For instance, first day of car line drop off, I stop my car, get out, and hug and kiss my boys goodbye! Who knew you had to stop, drop, and roll down the line. In line, you must keep moving, although the line snails its journey! Forget that, I now park and make the trek in the sunshine which makes me happy! Second day in, I broke the rules again and drove through the staff parking and bus entry. Oblivious, I found out later in the PTA meeting, as I proudly held my head high, that according to the Assistant Principal she reprimanded over 20 other moms for the same violation. WHEW! I’m so thankful that I missed the principal’s office. Third day in and worst of all, I kissed my 4th grader at lunch time! GASP! I know really! Who does that!?!?! However during the next lunch date, I was able to embarrass my 5th grader. Once I located him dressed in Patriots gear from head to toe, I find him surrounded by 6 girls. Four girls sat across from him with two on either side. Oh, I just laughed and laughed as my son turned a million shades of red; he assures he tried to save me a seat! Uh-huh! There’s Rogue, Ivie, Katie, Kate, Taylor, and Zanda; it’s nice to hear some girls’ names after all of my boys. We laugh the lunchtime away as I fill them in on all things, Matthew. Well, I laugh, I think they just found the crazy mom loving on her son, humorous. Once Matthew left the lunchroom, I enjoyed a visit with Wes and his new best friend Jacob who share the same birthday month and have the exact lunch boxes, same style, same color along with an orange water bottle. I mean really that’s pure fate for the little buddies; I guess I got something right. Over the first two weeks, we’ve royally failed two spelling tests; simply because we didn’t know about the tests—and definitely didn’t know the words. Good thing it was my youngest, as with my first I would have been mortified. It will all be OK, first-time moms, eventually spell check levels all playing fields. However in spite of the fails, my son has the best art project; so who cares about those old speling words anyway. And best of all, we’ve triumphantly overcome the morning and evening tears declaring, “I hate school!” I couldn’t understand the box of Kleenex on the back to school list; it makes sense now. Victory trumps the losses. Having homeschooled and never having to release my children, I didn’t know how I would ever drive away and leave them! My heart couldn’t fathom it. Yet somehow on that first day, “I went Skydiving; I went Rocky Mountain Climbing,” as Tim McGraw sings. Not this time, but I did go straight to the coffee shop for a cappuccino and then on to enjoy some shopping before settling into the office. I don’t know about the boys, but the first day back to school was amazing for me! Yes, I miss the boys, their smiles, their presence—them, but it’s all good, and my littlest ones are home early afternoon, so I guess we will survive this new chapter. I love the car rides home as we catch up over our time apart. First day realizations informed me that one teacher has 3 air fresheners in her classroom, and we only have one for our whole house! One son earned 5 Dojo points out of a possible 6; he can’t figure out why he didn’t get all of them. Those points are IMPORTANT you know! His music teacher told him that he could sing really well, but he doesn’t want to join the choir! My loudest son expressed that school was too LOUD, especially recess and whenever he tries to read a book. However his art teacher complimented his neat handwriting; I guess he can concentrate in art class. Cool with school, my high schooler said walking down the hallways at public school was like walking in NYC! See homeschoolers get around! His teachers told him that if he had homework, then they weren’t doing their job in the classroom, so they scored high in his grade book, but they may be blackmailed. And we all agreed, don’t use the bathrooms! I’m so happy they’re learning so much! And I’m so happy for their teachers as the really good ones are gifts who inspire greatness, create a love of learning, and shape the next generation. As all children when asked, “What did you learn in school today?” — answer, “Nothing!” All parents know the teachers are working hard; our children are learning; we are thankful. Thankful but I am also blown away that each of my sons has at least 5 teachers when all of my sons previously just had—me. One mom, 5 sons; now 5 sons, 25 plus teachers. Never underestimate the power of a homeschool mom! Encourage her with a high five, some words of affirmation, and a gift certificate to get a massage! She deserves it! Just as soon as the summer days slipped away, so will the school days and the holidays. No matter whether we be parent, teacher or student, every day on the calendar is a gift to enjoy together. Here’s to back to school and back to work for me. �� p.36 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 127
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