The school conundrum:
In the fall, I picked a woman's brain about school options for Kay. Co-ops sounded good, but that's only 1 day a week. The other 4 days are homeschool days.
Why is homeschooling in someone else's home not a thing?
She mentioned Jan - lives far away, but schools other people's 'troubled' kids.
Jan's name came up again in late January when conversing with my new friend, who is so lovely. Her daughter went to college with Jan's daughter. I emailed Jan, describing Kay's issues. While we were at ND for Mini's parents' weekend, Jan emailed me: I THINK KAY MIGHT BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR MY GROUP.
Coach and I met with Jan on Tuesday. It was a hike. On the drive I told Coach 'this is silly because we don't even know how much tuition is and we'd have to find Kay transportation.' He agreed, but - No stone unturned, etc. 
Kay and I made these GF date bars on
Friday after school. This reminds
me why I don't keep GF
sweets in the house.
Jan blew us away. Impressive and inspirational. She was homeschooling her own 9 kids (youngest is a junior in hs and she attends Jan's 'school') when she noted a neighbor family struggling with destructive issues. After 3 visits to their house, saying she'd homeschool their kids - they agreed.
For the last 15 years, she's teaches kids who've suffered crisis, displacement, or trauma along with her kids. She doesn't accept payment. WHAT? This is her ministry. She feels called. She never advertises. God sends her kids that need her.
We agreed to pray about it, and next she'd like to meet with Kay.
There is another family that drives from a town just north of us. Carpool possibility? I have an outside the box thought on how to get her there. It's a stretch, but my mind's stretchy like that.
It feels like an atmosphere that promotes personal growth with individualized attention, as in 'meet her where she's at' academically. Kay's immature and this setup feels like the right pace, like a stepping stone to get caught up on life. Also, no homework. That'll allow for her to join a swim team or something in the evenings, and to read - maybe read more with me.
This has weighed on us for months. I'll keep you posted.
Other tidbits:
- Dad came home Sunday afternoon. I think? No communication from my shitsters. I was at the hospital Sunday morning when the doc said he could go once the oxygen was delivered to his house.
- A D2 coach reached out to Curly Saturday. School in SC. The coach wants to zoom early this week to show Curly their style of play. The plot thickens.
- Reg arrived home Friday, and as always is ready and willing to help me.
- We watched the 2nd half of Life of Pi, Sunday night after Coach got home. He taught a class in NC for the weekend.
- I'm hoping to sneak away to go to a party at Tank's college buddy's family's house in Grand Rapids, MI on Saturday. Um, Coach is away teaching again. Kay has science fair and one fam member is supposed to volunteer. Reg wants to do the parade, but then can be home to watch Kay and Rae. Mini's returning from a mission trip (all her friends went to Cabo) on Friday and she wants to go to road trip to the party with Tank and I. It's complicated, but I'm nothing if not a 'where there's a will there's a way' type.
Jan doesn't accept payment?? What the what?? I'm assuming there are books and materials you will need to buy, but that is just amazing. I hope the carpooling situation works out. The only concern I'd have is who the other students in the group are and their influence on Kay.
ReplyDeleteWe were so impressed while visiting Grand Rapids last summer. I hope you get to go!
Bijoux - I know. It's unbelievable. I'm happy to buy books, heck I'll donate books to the whole group. I'm hoping carpooling works out too. The other students influencing Kay might not be great - but the alternative? Kids at the public high school could potentially be much worse, especially considering that there won't be close supervision or redirection or guidance . . . think lost in the shuffle and who knows who she'd come in contact with. Our older kids went to the public school, but they had a different foundation and knew who to steer clear of.
DeleteI'm hoping to go and I do think it'll work out. I don't think we'll be seeing much of Grand Rapids though. We'll be at the party and then staying at a hotel and then home. Roll of the dice and Reg and Curly hold down the fort back home.
This homeschool thing sounds really interesting. if no cost, paying for transport might work?
ReplyDeleteI bet you make it to Michigan. You are a skilled magician pulling off timing and coverage tricks!
mbmom11 - I agree. This woman is amazing. Her approach is outstanding. Yes, paying might work. There are also families who drive from there to drop their kids off at the grade school where Kay goes now, so maybe one of those families could drop her on their way BACK? If you follow that thought process. The start times are staggered enough that it could work.
DeleteSkilled magician. Ha ha. I think it'll work. Tank really wants to go and he's such a good egg that Coach and I want to make it happen. "Oh, shucks, I guess I'll drive there and go to the party." ;)
You and I are completely different in this aspect: too many arrangements and moving parts? I completely shut down and beg off; it isn't worth it to me. Too worky. I get stressed out. You see it as a Mere Nothing, just a bit of creative scheduling. Astonishing.
ReplyDeleteNance - That's so funny. The mom throwing the party is so much fun, and I rarely get to see her. Plus Tank wants to go and he's so helpful that we wanna make it happen. I'm his ride there. You remember when he borrowed our car the last time he wanted to go to a party?
DeleteWow, you have so many things to consider, and it's great that you have an open mind about different options that would be best for her. Your date bars look amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle- I've spent so much time looking into various options. I've called places that qualify as Think Outside the Box and this one is the only thing that really seems to click. The date bars were tasty. Lots of butter in there. LOTS. This is why I cannot make them often.
DeleteSorry, that was Michelle G.!
ReplyDeleteWow this Jan sounds like a true angel! Some people are so special. And in that I include you and Coach for expanding your family and sharing the love.
ReplyDeletePat - I agree, Jan is a true angel. Coach and I were speechless when we drove away for a few minutes.
DeleteWell, thank you for that high praise. My friend that introduced me to Jan told me that she thinks I'm a lot like Jan. I texted her back, saying WELL, THE DIFFERENCE IS SHE'S A SAINT AND I AIN'T. ;)
The homeschool with Jan option sounds really fantastic. Hope it all works out! Will pray it all comes together.
ReplyDeleteI’m predicting you’ll make the party. Your ability to make things work always impresses me!
No real tidbits here. Still pregnant as expected (39 weeks tomorrow). It’s supposed to be 54 F and sunny today. First day in the 50s in months. Super excited to get outside today. Told the baby yesterday that he’d best stay in until at least Wednesday because Mom really NEEDS to get outside in the sun and warmth today. The weather the rest of the week is supposed to be rainy and just above freezing and I’ll be perfectly happy any of those days to be in the hospital. Just not on this one day of glorious weather please and thank you lol!
Joymarie - It does sound like the best option and we're hoping it will work out. Thank you for the prayers.
DeleteWell, the party is on the agenda - hoping Reg can manage the girls while we're gone. Curly has jumped on 'team party.'
Hooray for a bit of nice weather before little one makes his debut. So exciting. Praying for a smooth and uneventful delivery.
That was joymariecooks btw
ReplyDeleteWow- this school option sounds too good to pass up. This woman sounds absolutely incredible. I'm sure we can all imagine how much work it would be to homeschool troubled kids, and she's doing it for FREE. I hope you can work out the transportation- how far away is it? I agree with mbmom that since you're not paying tuition, maybe you could pay for transportation.
ReplyDeleteOh yes I have faith in you! I'm pretty sure you can make the road trip party work.
Jenny - She really is incredible and my good friend's daughter is best friends with her daughter from college - so I know she's raised amazing kids too. Free - I know, I know. What? It's like 25 miles away and a 35 minute drive -but not like a simple drive. It's a windy path.
DeleteThe road trip is falling into place. Curly jumped onto the party bus plan last minute, so we now have to find a sitter for the little girls for a few hours before Reg gets home from the parade in the city. Lots of moving parts.
I'm like Nance when it comes to complicated logistics. I just shut down and say NOPE. But I do not need more friction in my life. I have a low tolerance for friction, it seems. This homeschooling set up sounds bananas. I cannot imagine doing what that woman is doing for free. Then again, I also can't imagine having 9 children! Or even 3 (see previous comment about low tolerance for complicated logistic/friction!). I hope the right choice for Kay becomes apparent for you!
ReplyDeleteLisa - Ha, ha. Well, Nance is awesome - so aligning with her is a good thing in my estimation. I could not imagine home schooling one child. Not my cup of tea, and we were considering something like that as we were grappling with where to send her. I'm hoping that it will all fall into place.
DeleteWhat a wonderful ministry Jan has. I will pray for clear direction and obstacle removal.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - I agree. She really is remarkable. I was taking notes while she spoke and she had so many inspirational stories. We were amazed. Thank you, I appreciate that. 'Obstacle removal' - that's a well worded prayer, if ever I've heard one.
DeleteJan sounds like an absolute angel! What is the drive time? You said it's a hike....I only hike for a short time, but you may hike longer. HA! I need context on hike time!
ReplyDeleteLife of Pi was a good movie, but it was an INCREDIBLE book!!
Suz - She really is like an angel. Coach and I were blown away. We got in the car afterwards and we were speechless. On the drive there, we'd both agreed it was probably crazy to consider.
DeleteShe's about 25 miles from our house. It's not a straight shot/easy route. It took us like 35 minutes outside of rush hour.
I've not read the book, but I do tend to think the books are better than the movies. Maybe I can read that one aloud to Kay this summer.