I am currently wrapping up my fourth year as a Homeschool Mama. We started our Homeschool journey when my oldest child entered first grade. We researched and prayed and went to meetings at various schools and Homeschool Co-Ops in the area. My son had a really fun and engaging Kindergarten year at a half-day program, but he struggled to meet the goals set by the teacher. It is totally normal for a little one to vary in abilities and ripen at different times and in different ways, but there was something different in his case. This knowledge helped us make the decision to move forward in home-educating Miles. God hovered over us through the entire process and guided us with a steady hand. A few months into our first year, Miles was diagnosed with Dyslexia and everything began to open up and make sense. Here is what we have found to be helpful as we navigate this journey with a spectacular kid whose brain receives and recalls information in a complex and beautiful way.
A village of helpers who connected me services available in our area. The first step to our dyslexia diagnosis was seeking the help of a reading tutor for Miles. This incredible woman (Carol Pridgen) remains a mentor of mine to this day. Carol was able to guide me in seeking testing for Miles at A.L.L. for Children in Auburn. Receiving his diagnosis was like being given a key and guide map to his brain. Miles received incredible and life changing help through ALL (Auburn Language and Learning) for almost four years. I was taught by incredible professionals how to adjust our learning environment to better meet the needs of his brain. We are currently attending Dyslexia therapy at RehabWorks in Opelika because the location better meets the needs of our family at this time. I highly recommend either place for testing and or therapy. I now have an army of people to bounce ideas off of and learn from their experience and expertise.- I threw out every idea of what I assumed our Homeschool life would be. For instance, my first year I purchased a box curriculum and I quickly realized that this was not going to work for us. Miles’ brain required the flexibility of different subjects to be presented on different academic levels. I had no idea this was even an option until year two and I certainly still felt very uncomfortable with it until year three. Currently, we use a math program that is a year ahead of his actual grade level, because we allow him to excel in areas that come more organic to him. Whereas, we use a much more flexible program for grammar and we take our time with concepts to make sure he is able to retain the information taught. We take breaks to jump on the trampoline and swing in the backyard to reset the brain. He is usually molding play-dough or slime while working. His brain requires a multi-sensory approach to learning, so movement is important. I gave us both a gift when I allowed our journey to be individual and not rushed or delayed by standards I dreamed up long before I fully understood our needs.
- Sending Miles to a twice a week Co-Op. We did not use a Co-Op our first year and that was absolutely for the best. We needed time to really fine tune what we were working towards and how to do it. Once we did decide to pursue a Co-Op we landed on Charlotte Mason Classical Community. We recently wrapped up our third year and we have found his time with this group to be helpful to both of us. Please hear me say that you do not need a Co-Op to be an effective Homeschool Mom or for your child to receive a full educational experience. I am simply giving our specific journey and what has worked best for us. There are several Co-Ops and classes offered in this area and each have their own draw. We chose our specific group because we were looking for a way to support what was happening at home and allow me to teach basic concepts as he needed, but still be part of a group learning environment twice a week.
- GRACE. School does not look the same for Miles as it looks for most kids. Miles has great brain days and he has really difficult brain days. He is not always eager to approach new material because his brain goes through a tremendous process in order to receive and recall information. Bottom line – school is not all rainbows and beauty in our neck of the woods. Simple tasks can take lots of time and perfected skills can come and go depending on the day and sometimes the moment. We stop and pause and reboot and begin again as many times as necessary. I forgive him and he forgives me and we have a deep understanding that having a human moment is not just ok, it’s necessary. I have watched the Lord expand Miles’ understanding of intellect, compassion, grace, dreams, goals, discipline, determination, work, rest, and communication. I am undone and amazed by the life giving moments this journey has allowed us and I am confident that none would have been possible without grace.
I have so much more to learn and I look forward to the growing process that will naturally come as we continue this journey. I am certain that in the years to come I will change so much of what we do now and I am totally ok with that. I do not hold us to a standard of perfection and I hope to never stop learning and by extension recreating our experience a little bit every year. We have chosen to be completely open with Miles about his Dyslexia and we take his heart and ideas very much in consideration when making decisions. We have an open dialogue at the end of each school year to determine what he sees as helpful and fun and engaging and monotonous. He is very much aware of his brilliant mind and equally aware of how hard he has to work so he can see his dreams come to reality one day.
To all of you who are home educating and it doesn’t quite check a box or fit a standard…grace and peace to you. Keep listening and learning and trying new things until you find what works for you and yours. Here’s to the ones who set our hearts ablaze and the ones who fan their flame all the days of their life.
