best of luck to all: you, e and f at school, and your other children at home. i really admire you in all the aspects of your life, and hope that whenever i have children, i can be as devoted to them as you. one of the things that most impresses me is how dedicated you are to raising them to be themselves, in tune with who they are and what they want, and able to express it. i'm impressed that even when those desires conflict with what you thought or still think may be best, you respect your children enough as people to listen to them. that kind of parent-child relationship is all too rare.

Jenica, did you know that I did this too? I can't remember if I told you before. I did it out of a pure feeling of failure and overwhelm, yet I knew deep inside it was the right path for us. It's been 2 years for us, and we LOVE our public school, and are so thankful our community school is as good as it is. Yes, feel your feelings of the transition, but oh my...get ready, girl, for some serious peace and healing time for yourself. And if you feel called to homeschool again someday, you can do that too. We take it a year at a time. I have a daughter asking to HS next year, but I'm not sure I'm ready to give up my precious, PRECIOUS freedom for those few hours each day. We'll see. The homeschool vs. public school thing can be so heated, I know, but really its about what's best for our own family, and its not anyone else's bid-ness! Proud of you for following your true path, AGAIN. (and, I'm sorry, but are we living parallel lives?) :) *smooch* PS is there any way we can plan to see each other sometime in 2011? would LOVE that.

the most brilliant thing is, you can always change your mind. you have done an amazing job and they will benefit every day for the rest of their lives from what you instilled in these formative years. you know in your heart what is right, you did what was right for you and the kids and you will continue to follow your instincts. I cannot tell you enough how much I look up to you and am so proud of you. there is nothing you can't do, Jenica. Do NOT ever doubt yourself. LOVE YOU. fo realz

i am here sending you loving, peaceful thoughts, vibes and that they have a great day at school. one day at a time...much love to you sweet soul mama!
xoxo

You are magical dearest heart. And powerful. I totally believe in you and your instinct.
Ya know, I just keep learning that mamahood is less about ascribing to a particular parenting stream and more about courageously, lovingly and faithfully finding the path that helps your family be as happy as possible - every member of it.
Big love to you mama!!

:) I don't think you failed in any way, shape, or form. You as their mother ARE and will ALWAYS be their most important teacher. Making decisions after trying it out, careful thought, and how it makes you (and them) feel.... babe, that is huge - and they went through that with you.
I think you were totally brave to try homeschooling .... and extra super, duper brave to say ok, let's try something else. Wanting the best for your kids, even if it means change ... there is no failure in this. You are a good mother. xxoo

Good luck to you and the kiddies.

First of all, big hugs to you! I commend you on making the decision to send your kids to school. Your reasons are sound and the action is being undertaken after much thought and consideration. There should be no "shame" on your part. You have make your choice in the best interest of your children, based on where you all are in your lives.

I am on the flip side of a similar dilemma. I will be starting to homeschool my 9 year old this week. Although I know that this decision is what's best for her, and that she is excited about doing this, I also worry that I won't do things "right", that I won't be patient enough, or that she will fall behind (she's currently ahead of her peers), etc. I think that the mixed feelings that we are both experiencing are a sign that the decision is not being entered into lightly.

Simply put, sometimes, you just have to take leaps of faith in life. Imagine the lessons that you are teaching your kids about going for what they want in life, not being afraid to step out of their comfort zones, trusting their own instincts... That, my friend, is a most precious gift.

So, as you hand your darlings over for the first time this morning, feel the emotions that will undoubtedly well up but also let a smile of pride creep across your lips. Go home and make yourself a cup of something warm and soothing and remind yourself that you are being the best momma that you can be right here and right now. Wow, that was an aha moment for me, too. I think that I'll take my own advice. I'm off to make myself a cup of tea and I will say a toast/prayer for you and your little ones and one for me and mine.

~Warm regards,
Grace

Do you know how much courage and maturity it takes to make a change like this - you should feel very proud of yourself. I know I've read of many homeschooling mamas who ended up making a change, for various reasons. I know you want the best for your children - whether that's homeschooling or public schooling - and by honoring their choices, you are giving them such a gift. I am definitely thinking about you this morning and sending you love - praying that peace will settle in your heart. You are truly amazing. Mamas who homeschool for ANY amount of time have my undying admiration and respect!

Oh, Honey! My heart aches for you and rejoices for you all at the same time.
Almost all of my friends are homeschooling and I am the black sheep. Guilt, Failure, Peace, Guilt, Failure, Peace....all part of my daily verbage going round and round in my head.
I am right here with you.
I am right here for you.
I am praying for you and for peace today....
XOXOXO

Love to you and also E and F. They will do fine at school, and you may just find yourself enjoying a little free time :) Just think of grocery shopping with only 2 instead of 4! ;)

I know this is hard for you, but you keep listening to your heart and things will work out.

xoxoxo

dearest mama.
cheers to your sweet ones! they will be fine. they will touch so many people with their thinking, creativity and sweet spirits! and they, too, will absorb so much from their new adventure. : )

on breaking-of-the-heart side of things, i will say that, i feel you. i have a degree in elementary education. i question, every day, whether or not it was a good idea to start the chop in school so soon.
as a teacher and a mama, i reevaluate his schooling every day. i observe his teacher and go to school meetings. i quietly watch everything when i am there.
on the other hand, i see his smiling face, each day, when i pick him up and i know he is ok. we are doing what is good for him right now.

nothing is written in stone.
that is the beauty of it all.
you will always do what is best for your family. and right now? this is it.

i love all that you do as a mama. as a woman. as an artist.
you rock so much, dear one!

i think the most important part of your words is that your children are "listened to".
they will find their way in this world. and you will be there guiding them.
it is hard being a mama-bird, yes? : )

if you want to talk about any aspect of this, i am free and open to talk to you.
even as a teacher, this whole school-thing, to me, sometimes seems surreal.

mad mama-love to you. xo

you know how i feel about this subject. You are an amazing mother and have always been in tune with what your family needs. what you needed then is not what you need now. you have not fail at anything at any point. be strong. stay true to you and let all the other voices fade away. keep that peace in your heart and know you are doing what your kids need. it will be great. you'll see.

love you.

Sending you all love and support...It is a huge change for your family, but I'm sure it will end up being a wonderful one. You are a brave, beautiful mama for taking this leap with your children.xx

sending all kinds of love and support as well ... i love you and how true you stay to yourself and your family knowing that life is always in flux and that is okay. hugs beauty, xoxox

What everyone else said. :)

Seriously, though....you know how I feel about this. You are doing what is right for you and your family and that's all that matters. Your kiddos will do great in school! And things will move along just how they are supposed to.

xoxox

It'll be great! You just may LOVE it!

Sending lots of hugs and prayers your way. You definitely haven't failed in any way, it's just something different to try. I'm shocked they wouldn't test them. I think that is just silly. I hope the school gets it together soon so they have a classroom to go to. I seriously hope it's a good experience for both of them, but it definitely doesn't have to be permanent. Love you!

What a huge leap into the unknown for all of you! I hope the kiddos had a fantastic day, and that mama had a fantastic day, too! xox

My daughter, who I homeschooled for two and a half years, returned to public school this year. She gripes a lot about how boring it is and also a lot of the kids, but her teacher is wonderful so she's pretty happy. Homeschooling is a possibility in the future, but she's happy where she is for now.

Good luck to the kiddos!

that is a really big deal! I'm sending you happy thoughts and wishes for a smooth transition. Give it time, friend. Everything gets better in time.

And do not do that to yourself--you are full of love for those little people. You are a wonderful mother. Sending them to school or homeschool; either way there is good and bad.

I love you!!

Don't you wish there was a happy medium? I wish I could send them to school for a few hours, then have them at home to focus on the things they are individually interested in....half day elementary school would be my ideal! Good luck with the transition!

Wow Jenica. You are a wonderful mother. I'm blown away. I can't wait to hear how it all goes at the end of the semester, how you're feeling..how they're feeling. Kudos to you for being brave enough to shift your way of doing things and go with the flow. You seem so intuitive to your children's needs.