10. It was Ole Jus’s idea and he is the leader of this here
household.
9. STAAR test
sucks!!!
8. We can’t afford private school.
7. We get to decide what they learn and how they learn it.
6. I don’t like to get up early. (Ole Jus has already said
he doesn’t want us sleeping all day…but I’m runnin’ this show)
5. I am qualified for the job…well the teacher part anyway.
I graduated in December of 2008 with my degree in elementary education. I did
NOT, however, get a degree to become a school nurse, janitor, curriculum
director, lunch lady, counselor, principal, etc.
4. We are firm believers that boys are made to be boys. Boys
are made to be wild and rambunctious so we want to create an environment where
that is possible. We don’t want our kids
to sit in a desk all day and have a recess lasting less than 30 minutes.
3. We live in and on the best classroom I can think of. With
2000 acres, animals of all kinds and over 20 small lakes we are so blessed and
fortunate to be able to walk out our backdoor into His creation. Instead of packing
up and leaving this spread every day we will use it to our advantage and make
it our school grounds.
2. Many people’s first concern is the social issue that
could arise from the decision to homeschool. First, I don’t care what people
think…just doing what is best for the kids. Second, since they are 7 and 10
years old, I believe the foundation of their social abilities has been laid at
this point. Third, we are fortunate to have a church family chock-full of
adults and children alike that can help develop the kid’s social skills. And last, it isn’t our wish for our children
to learn their social skills from other developing youngsters. I can’t control
every person my kids interact with every minute of every day, but I do feel
better that I am not sending them to a place where they are learning things
from numerous children from different backgrounds, cultures and religious
beliefs.
1. I love them. Why would I want to send them away all day
every day of the week when I could be with them? The one and only regret I have
is that I can’t have them all four at home with me. It isn’t the best idea to
have the 7th and 11th grader home at this point, so most
days it will be only the three of us.
I always knew I wanted to be a mom. I never really saw
myself as the homeschool type mom though. I vividly remember being relieved and
excited to send them back to school at the end of last summer. When Ole Jus mentioned the idea near the
beginning of this year I thought, “no way”.
But if I’ve learned anything in my 30 years it is that God can change
your heart. (Can I get an “AMEN” and a “THANK YOU JESUS!”) He has changed mine
a lot over the course of these 3 decades and, Himwilling, he’s not done yet. So
this will be our fresh new adventure here at the Matejka household…FROM THIS
SIDE OF THIRTY.
