tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post5873162657511471669..comments2024-03-26T03:57:26.437-07:00Comments on The Fike Life: School n' meBlythe Fikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01083711888523698156noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-27351847128920428072015-08-27T17:16:04.916-07:002015-08-27T17:16:04.916-07:00Go for it! He will have fun and you will have a br...Go for it! He will have fun and you will have a break and everyone will be the better for it. I homeschooled 2 sons from 2nd grade (mid year until high school). Each year we used a program that seemed to work for each one. By highschool I was feeling burnt out and I wanted to transform my role from coach to cheerleader so we found a hybrid program. With boys especially, this was an awesome transition. I could be a fun mom again. And they could grow into men. I realized that I didn't ruin them by homeschooling them. And they both went on the college of their choice. Janahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16279417406114358713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-62739206592927536762015-08-27T15:56:36.641-07:002015-08-27T15:56:36.641-07:00I was right where you are several years ago with f...I was right where you are several years ago with four little guys at home having the time of my life. Then school started and I put my first in kindergarden. We all missed her so much but we plugged along. Then number two and three started going and we were busy, busy trying to keep up with all the demands of teachers etc. So when the oldest was in fifth grade we pulled everyone out and started homeschooling. Every year after that we would just re-evaluate and see what worked best. Homeschooling got a lot easier and more fun for everyone the older they got. Just know you can always shift gears at the drop of a hat. And remember even if children are in school, you are still homeschooling with homework in the evening. It's just at the crappiest time of the day. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-404863766608220382015-08-27T09:43:56.883-07:002015-08-27T09:43:56.883-07:00Ha! Yes! All the kids are on the wait list there:)...Ha! Yes! All the kids are on the wait list there:)Blythe Fikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01083711888523698156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-32572839293376784372015-08-27T00:25:46.018-07:002015-08-27T00:25:46.018-07:00Ditto to all of this, Shelley!! From a Protestant ...Ditto to all of this, Shelley!! From a Protestant (Lutheran- gasp!), IUD using, gettin' ready to preschool mama lurking in Western WA. Blythe, you rock. Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11306234153516518132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-60868396265865524882015-08-26T13:51:15.146-07:002015-08-26T13:51:15.146-07:00That last picture of him looking toward the great ...That last picture of him looking toward the great big beyond that is Kindergarten.... A picture does speak a thousand words sometimes.Carolinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01011558807872597853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-12323618239862842062015-08-25T17:27:25.454-07:002015-08-25T17:27:25.454-07:00Best comment ever, Shelley Knoll-Miller. Best comment ever, Shelley Knoll-Miller. Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17710716066178556968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-39515897880791638812015-08-25T16:18:14.556-07:002015-08-25T16:18:14.556-07:00I can understand what you're saying, but! Have...I can understand what you're saying, but! Have you considered the little red school house? My sisters did great there followed with Sacred Heart and St. Bonnie, and they've done so well. (Don't send the kids to Fillmore public schools if you ever find yourself considering it!) anyway, the little red school house is a great community, and actually a few great (big) Catholic fams send their kids there. It's so small & with the mixed classrooms, it bears a passing resemblance to homeschooling. Something to think about if the whole appeal of just strolling down the street ever loses its luster. (I'm sure it won't, but hey, it could happen.) Briannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12090345308110043130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-27505801494581358392015-08-25T12:17:23.024-07:002015-08-25T12:17:23.024-07:00BLYTHE YOU ARE ME AND I AM YOU AND I NEVER WANT TH...BLYTHE YOU ARE ME AND I AM YOU AND I NEVER WANT THIS TIME TO END AND LETS NEVER SEND OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL EVER.<br /><br />i'm actually serious. i could've written this post myself minus the fact that i couldn't because i don't have a kid named johnny. but really.Bridgethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10367253838866005395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-9900248302078819802015-08-24T12:23:18.253-07:002015-08-24T12:23:18.253-07:00Ok...I get some of this. When I was POSTPARTUM an...Ok...I get some of this. When I was POSTPARTUM and sent my kid to full day kinder, I almost had a nervous breakdown. I missed her so.<br />First of all-- three hours. That is really not that long and so appropriate for kindergarten.<br />After the year I had with kinder I decided to homeschool..somewhat for my own selfish reasons..not being lonely etc.<br />Well my daughter is back in school this year and Loving it very much. It's ok to outsource some stuff! Really! He will be ok, and do check and see how your hormones are playing into this, and also is it like "oh crap I need to make really good use of the three hours that he is out of the house". This can be good.Kerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00835558059606447335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-44085032888754186722015-08-24T10:47:37.865-07:002015-08-24T10:47:37.865-07:00I don't know...if I were feeling that way and ...I don't know...if I were feeling that way and he were feeling that way, I would probably pull him out. I think it would be hard to have one in school unless that child wanted to go. Every year I think, how am I going to do it? And every year God provides some way...maybe encouragement from a friend, maybe some pinterest-idea that helps a kid with their learning, something to pull me through. But I know how angst-filled these decisions are. May God give all of us guidance. Karynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10775592484866509189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-49539091519463330772015-08-23T18:20:41.360-07:002015-08-23T18:20:41.360-07:00I needed this post tonight! We're kinda homesc...I needed this post tonight! We're kinda homeschooling our girl but she's so super social, so we're sending her to our church's PreK two mornings a week and....I'm heartbroken. So yeah...totally get it!!!!Michele Chronisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05328455640818231923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-45775198858211925822015-08-23T18:20:38.348-07:002015-08-23T18:20:38.348-07:00I needed this post tonight! We're kinda homesc...I needed this post tonight! We're kinda homeschooling our girl but she's so super social, so we're sending her to our church's PreK two mornings a week and....I'm heartbroken. So yeah...totally get it!!!!Michele Chronisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05328455640818231923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-36557263622414070272015-08-23T18:20:28.876-07:002015-08-23T18:20:28.876-07:00I needed this post tonight! We're kinda homesc...I needed this post tonight! We're kinda homeschooling our girl but she's so super social, so we're sending her to our church's PreK two mornings a week and....I'm heartbroken. So yeah...totally get it!!!!Michele Chronisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05328455640818231923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-69990715342416893512015-08-23T17:24:40.633-07:002015-08-23T17:24:40.633-07:00I have 8 kids and I always home schooled. 2 years...I have 8 kids and I always home schooled. 2 years ago, I put the top 5 in school. I decided one week before school started....I just shoved them all in! It was nauseating! I literally felt physically ill.<br /><br />But then, we got used to it. We are blessed to have a small classical Catholic school. The kids met great friends. I met great friends. I saw my kids being a blessing to others and I was hooked! The school is not perfect. But homeschooling 5 kids while chasing 2 toddlers and nursing one infant isn't perfect either.<br /><br />I will pray for you and your little guy! You have such a beautiful family.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01857555969785079480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-40856415292523194952015-08-23T17:24:36.305-07:002015-08-23T17:24:36.305-07:00I have 8 kids and I always home schooled. 2 years...I have 8 kids and I always home schooled. 2 years ago, I put the top 5 in school. I decided one week before school started....I just shoved them all in! It was nauseating! I literally felt physically ill.<br /><br />But then, we got used to it. We are blessed to have a small classical Catholic school. The kids met great friends. I met great friends. I saw my kids being a blessing to others and I was hooked! The school is not perfect. But homeschooling 5 kids while chasing 2 toddlers and nursing one infant isn't perfect either.<br /><br />I will pray for you and your little guy! You have such a beautiful family.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01857555969785079480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-39488412472027282302015-08-23T17:20:51.907-07:002015-08-23T17:20:51.907-07:00I have 8 kids and I always home schooled. 2 years...I have 8 kids and I always home schooled. 2 years ago, I put the top 5 in school. I decided one week before school started....I just shoved them all in! It was nauseating! I literally felt physically ill.<br /><br />But then, we got used to it. We are blessed to have a small classical Catholic school. The kids met great friends. I met great friends. I saw my kids being a blessing to others and I was hooked! The school is not perfect. But homeschooling 5 kids while chasing 2 toddlers and nursing one infant isn't perfect either.<br /><br />I will pray for you and your little guy! You have such a beautiful family.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01857555969785079480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-49146748230459179412015-08-23T14:22:55.150-07:002015-08-23T14:22:55.150-07:00Thank you for this!Thank you for this!Blythe Fikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01083711888523698156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-46499382732201624792015-08-23T14:22:42.329-07:002015-08-23T14:22:42.329-07:00I love this comment. Thank you! So happy you'r...I love this comment. Thank you! So happy you're reading and commenting and thinking and being awesome.Blythe Fikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01083711888523698156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-15979344398561632762015-08-22T21:21:22.807-07:002015-08-22T21:21:22.807-07:00Hi Blythe,
I'm a relatively new reader, and ha...Hi Blythe,<br />I'm a relatively new reader, and haven't commented before, but I felt like maybe (?) my experience could be helpful to you. I read through all the comments and none seemed to share my experience, so I thought I'd chip in, though you've really received a lot of good advice here. <br /><br />I'm a working mother in graduate school with one in heaven, a 4 year old, a 2 year old, and one on the way (due in March!). Everything you are describing--your intuition, your feelings, the dilemma of being torn between two good things, the heartbreak--these are all completely normal and ok things to feel and think about. They are the exact same feelings I had when my babies went to daycare when they were 3 months old. And I feel them every fall when we start care again (summers are a kind of down time for us). I am always fighting the feeling of being torn in two directions: am I doing what's best for my kids? Am I choosing this because of selfish reasons? Am I doing what Our Lord would want me to do? What is the True Good among all of these partial goods? <br /><br />But the more I think about it, the more I realize that this question/inner battle is never meant to go away. If I stop asking that question, it doesn't mean I'm at peace. Peace is when I can consistently keep battling this, and consistently choose the True Good. From my perspective, all mothers are bound to feel this wave of emotions in the face of this particular kind of change, no matter what. It's just that you are feeling it at this particular point in your life, with this particular child. And maybe it's the first time you're feeling it, which is particularly painful. And I really don't say that to be dismissive at all. These are real feelings of separation, of sacrificial love, of motherly instinct. The reason we will all feel it is because at some point we can't all be together all the time. I know you already know it. We just don't want it to come *yet.* Some moms get to that point when they have to go back to work, some when they send their little ones to kindergarten, some when they send them to college. <br /><br />All this is to say that I validate your feelings and your battle. I think you are doing the right thing to reflect on it seriously, to keep re-evaluating. At the same time, know that the separation does get easier with time. And if it doesn't get easier, then you know what to do. In all things of this manner, my constant recourse is to ask our Blessed Mother for guidance. She will be with him at school. She will be with you at home. She will help you be the best mother, for your child(ren) in your circumstances. KJLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10144013591506102232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-9495290580037817382015-08-22T18:43:07.237-07:002015-08-22T18:43:07.237-07:00I am a protestant, contraception-using, regular-sc...I am a protestant, contraception-using, regular-schooling Australian mum who lurks amongst the awesome collection of catholic mummy blogs in America. I don't know why. My American sister in law post links to these blogs in Facebook and then I just kinda fell into this corner of the internet and couldn't find my way out and then decided I really quite like it here. So I've settled in with a few sandwiches and a thermos for a few months now. (and found myself reconsidering another pregnancy after an eight year gap. hmm..curious.) ANYWAY, I love your blog but haven't commented before. But this post so made me want to comment because...in the battle and dance to figure out what we believe and how to live well I am always impressed when folk are vulnerable about not having all the answers. In fact, I'm more impressed by passion/idealism coupled with moments of "Arrghh I don't know what to doooo" then just passion and the "We've got all the answers. Come, learn at my knee" approach. I'm also really interested when people move from pockets of idealism into compromise, especially when faith choices are concerned as the temptation is to say "This is the RIGHT and GOOD way. We're not moving". I think it takes guts and intelligence to do say "This was the right way for us then but now we are not sure and we might have to experiment for a while to find out what is best." It can also be lonely for a while if all your mates are doing things differently. So, I admire that you moved from home-birth to needing an epidural advocate and I admire that you are trying out school. Gutsy. I don't really know whats best but keep experimenting! I think idealism and passion are ace and strive for that in my own life but I also think families need creativity, courage and flexibility. I also love it when someone throws a question out to the void and this lovely community of women all fire back with their very individual thoughts and experiences. That's a lovely expression of faith in and of itself: the heart-felt responses and long comments that go on forever. Oh. yeah. long comment. sorry.Shelley Knoll-Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10505237879351743288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-91490859818727937032015-08-22T12:12:15.310-07:002015-08-22T12:12:15.310-07:00Nope. You need to feel your feelings, too! Even if...Nope. You need to feel your feelings, too! Even if they are different than blythe's. I've felt all of those and ITS OK!!! You can still be a good mama, even when it's hard. And I'm sure you are, rosemary!!Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764304158905920847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-38578930445614092942015-08-22T09:48:33.827-07:002015-08-22T09:48:33.827-07:00I predict Johnny and you will adjust beautifully! ...I predict Johnny and you will adjust beautifully! And the three hours he's gone will give you nice structure to get school done with your older girls. Your schedule will adapt to his, everyone up, breakfast, Johnny to school, you work with the girls, Johnny home, lunch, quiet time, etc. you'll barely even notice he's gone!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06562352806284100483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-34647578033002709062015-08-22T08:58:04.037-07:002015-08-22T08:58:04.037-07:00I was that smug homeschooler who used to say "...I was that smug homeschooler who used to say "What do they need preschool for? I can do letters, numbers and crafts at home." Then my fifth child became preschool age. My son teeters on the edge of actual naughtiness to get attention. And sometimes he doesn't really teeter ;) He started preschool last week, he really likes it so far. I am homeschooling my older four and I was deliciously quiet while the little one was in school. They got to do snap circuits without him ripping it apart, and built a model catapult without interfere. We will see what happens in the future. For now, it's nice not to have to worry about him getting I to trouble while I help the older kids. We are on a year by year, child by child approach to homeschooling :) Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07314850743157068793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-33910706824994025412015-08-22T08:11:48.767-07:002015-08-22T08:11:48.767-07:00I just wanted to let you know that I know of 2 hom...I just wanted to let you know that I know of 2 homeschool families do kindergarden on purpose. One reason is to have another person observe the educational process over several months. The two families who've done this have 8 and 5 children. Of those 13, 11 have gone so far. Of that 11, 4 have had learning disabilities identified. Another has had a physical disability identified (gross motor skill). We're talking near 50% here. Only one of the children, now a sassy teen, seems to have been affected in a negative way, being very angry over what she perceived as her rights that were taken after seeing the over-indulged, spoiled fellow students. Now, that said it's very possible that this would of happened in a homeschooling circle anyway.<br /><br />I don't have kids yet, and I'm not sure that this is a path that I would take. I do see it's great merits. Kids and learning styles vary greatly. There are so many styles of homeschooling now. I talked to an HS'ing mom in Colorado who kids participate in FLEX which is a program where kids go to school for art, science, music and gym two days a week, half days. This has worked so well for many families that it's allowed some to continue in some difficult situations.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18272783918468048176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8165594238100314829.post-5113631695893447772015-08-21T21:36:31.183-07:002015-08-21T21:36:31.183-07:00First, Johnny looks incredibly handsome in his sch...First, Johnny looks incredibly handsome in his school clothes. I bet all the kindergarten girls are secretly swooning. Second, I felt exactly the same way when I started letting my big kids stay home from the grocery store. Exactly like you said it, that we wouldn't all be doing everything together any more. (Seems silly now, because going to the store alone is awesome.) I think change is just sad. But your family is awesome and even if all your kiddos end up in school, they'll never stop being awesome Fikes. xxooAbby S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09247028917447708513noreply@blogger.com