Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
I would have never dreamed that at 48 I’d be parenting my grandson and then adopting him two years later, but here we are! Then, to top it all off, I decided to try homeschool him and I have had the time of my life! Join me as we cover Home and Schooling: How It All Started.
Once we saw our grand parenting turning into a permanent parenting, my mind turned towards homeschooling. I started in the public school, transferred to a Christian school, then in middle school I returned to the public school and remained, graduating my senior year. Then on to a Vocational School for two years, earning a degree in Applied Sciences, aka- Veterinary Technician.
School was hard
School did not come easily to me. I had a hard time with math and reading could be a bit “bumpy”. Overall, I seemed to hold the line; but math was a big failure- I just couldn’t see numbers had value. Unfortunately, both schools failed to realize my need for a one-on-one help with my math and I continued to fail.
Finally, in my seventh-grade year, I was officially getting an ‘F’ in math. My mother, frustrated, finally went to the teacher and said that she was tired of excuses on why her daughter couldn’t receive extra help. So after a tangle with the special education department, which said I was overqualified for receiving any services, the remedial math teacher said she would take me on.
Each math period, I would report to Mrs. Nelson’s room, and she and I would work on math. She had me work on math concepts till I had them down. Finally, after 2 months in her room, I raised my grade from a ‘F’ to a ‘B’. I was so proud of myself and my mom was pleased, too. The teacher expressed his surprise!
Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay
Math remained an enemy, till….
Math remained my enemy till I hit my sophomore year in high school. I remember sitting in pre-algebra and realized numbers had value! I took a math class each year till I graduated. Since the college degree I was interested in required a fair amount of math and science, I wanted to ensure that I could handle college math.
Someone took the time
Someone taking the time to go over and over math concepts till I had mastered them made the difference. The unfortunate side was the reality that my teachers didn’t seem to have time for kids who didn’t understand, and that’s where I fell through the cracks.
My experience at school shaped how I see education and what I want for my own children. Someone who will spend the time and that’s what homeschooling offers me. Time to spend with your child exploring numbers, letters and beyond, together. Whether you rocket through some concepts or slow walk with another; having the no pressure atmosphere and encouragement is what I want for my kids.
Education should be a positive experience and I believe homeschooling gives parents that opportunity!- M
Michele Bruxvoort is sure to draw you in with her delightful sense of humor and love for living life. She enjoys reading, repurposing, as well as remodeling the family home with her husband. Drawing from her life experience as wife, mom, and follower of Jesus, Michele brings you a very honest and real perspective on life. When you don’t find her writing, you can find her mowing lawns, stocking shelves, taking care of her grandbaby and tackling her latest life adventure.
Wisconsin native and empty-nester, she now makes her home with her husband of 27 years in the South West Prairie plains of Minnesota.
Our educational experience sounds familiar. Though I made it to Trig through sheer determination (not recognizing the patterns in numbers), I didn’t understand it until I homeschooled my first born for a few years and used Miquon Math. When my son was diagnosed with CAPD – and that patterns are not innately determined but can be broken down so they see the patterns (in language and math) – I started understanding how I learned, why I taught my college writing students the science (pattern) of writing – and that it affected seeing patterns in behavior. I’d bet you weren’t the only one in the classroom struggling the same way. I keep my some of my grandkids while their parents work – and we are doing a hybrid school – two days on campus and three at home. It sure keeps life jumping!