My Awakening

I have shared with you my search for how we are to continue to home school next year and the years following.  Specifically since we have a high schooler in the home.  I have looked at online schools such as Abeka and Bob Jones, but I have also looked at co-ops such as Classical Conversations.  The kids want to join Classical Conversations (CC) because they want a peer group to socialize with and compete with.  I want a guideline, accountability, a reassurance that we are hitting all the marks to graduate. 

Last week I attended an information meeting for our local CC group.  The problem with this group is that they are young.  My two oldest will be considered Challenge students and the Wenatchee group doesn't have a Challenge class....yet.  I have been asked to consider being the Challenge Director and therefore teach my kids and any other students who are in that level.  Tomorrow, we will attend the CC Open House and meet with the moms who have kids in the Essential group (grades 4-6) and might have kids that need to move up to the Challenge class. 

In my struggle of whether or not to step into this position, I have had to face some humbling things about myself.  You see, to be the Challenge Director it will take a lot of work and preparation.  My friend who is the Challenge Director of her group says it takes her about 8 - 9 hours of prep time each week (basically all day Saturday and Sunday).  This won't make life easier but more complicated, but this is where I had to wake up and realize that this is the time and effort that I SHOULD be putting into my kids school preparation.  NOT spending enough time prepping with my current curriculum is why I am so frustrated with it and feel like I am not getting enough out of it.  That is because I am not putting enough INTO IT.  I love Tapestry of Grace but right now I feel like a lone fish swimming up stream.  I could sign my kids up with TOG's online classes, but CC has something that I need that TOG doesn't and that is live people to network with and meet with here in my area. 

So I have to make a choice, do I take the challenge and start putting some energy and effort behind our school or do I turn it over to an online professor.  (Don't get me wrong.  There is nothing wrong with online schools.  I know they do a great job and that may be the best fit for your family. I also know online schools don't take all the pressure off mom, I would still have to keep my kids on track, monitor their school work, check over material...you get the picture.   I just have to decide if it is the best fit for my family.)

The other factor weighing in this decision is cost.  CC charges a tuition.  However, if I were to be the Challenge Director I would get paid for teaching the class.  In other words, if there are five other students besides my two I will  make enough money to pay for the tuition for all three.

Well... this is still a prayer matter for me.  Open House tomorrow.  A Challenge Director meeting in two weeks.  Then we will see.


Oh....FYI - We were supposed to close on our house today but evidently you have to have a document from the IRS to show you are current on your taxes  before you can buy a house anymore.  Once our buyers get that paperwork then we can close.  I am keeping the Champagne corked until then.