One of the more popular questions we’ve received recently, is what we decided to do with school this year.
Listen, we get it. It’s hard. One of the hardest choices we’ve had to make. One that we weighed very carefully to different degrees for various reasons.
One that weighed heavily on our hearts.
One that we lost sleep over.
One that we definitely cried over.
It’s also one that is different for everyone, so there is no judgement here no matter what you choose, and honestly we hope to receive the same on your end, if you’re reading this. We have a lot of friends who see this very differently, and we respect their opinion. It’s a crazy hard sensitive topic. What we don’t respect, is a knee-jerk response that seems to come from feeling threatened personally by someone else’s choice. It’s one that we’re accustomed to after three years of homeschooling our own children in earlier years, so we always try to be sensitive to other parents and their own approaches to school. It’s been a little difficult in some situations. #Checkyourselfbeforeyouwreckyourself.
The thing is, I think that everyone in some way can relate to that feeling this year. We just believe in supporting other parents no matter what, because we know this was a hard choice, no matter who you are. And it continues to be. Know that our hearts and prayers and good vibes are with all of you for a safe, amazing school year.
We decided to go online this first semester. For lots of reasons.
We were given the option, in our district, to go online, or start in person. We initially planned for in-person.
Then we heard that the in-person learning was pushed back to remote learning for two weeks in lieu of watching the numbers, possibly further while they continue to watch the numbers. This changed our perspective. There are too many unknowns in this scenario, for us personally. We decided that since we have the ability to work from home and keep our kids at home, it’s online learning for our children this semester, and it’s the best choice for us right now. Where we live, {and this may change} they could be online anyway, on again off again, for some time. We have so much respect for the staff and teachers and love and miss them already. But when it comes down to our final reason, we simply do not have a lot of faith in the system, based on how it was handled this past spring. It’s just where we are with it all.
We know from deductive reasoning and previous experience, that in-person learning fluctuating indefinitely to remote learning, with so many variables will be too inconsistent for our children and family.
Consistency is what our own children need right now. It’s what our family needs right now. For us personally, this feels like we’re finally taking back a little bit of control. So, online for the first semester, here we are. I’m afraid this is where everything is headed anyway, but we will see. Hopefully we are totally wrong. Complicate this with more of our own feelings on the issue {I.e: we have no employer. There is no Aflac.} and the desire to be cautious so that we can see family… the list keeps going… and here we are. Online.
We hope that our kids have a more independent approach to learning after this, and that it has its benefits. I’m looking for bright spots in the midst of mourning.
Short story long: We literally made a list of pros and cons. It was not easy. We feel you, wherever you are with this. The only comforting thing about it all, is that we’re all in this together.
::Cue high school musical dance:: No, I couldn’t resist.
We shared a post recently about embracing where you are, and making your home work for you, no matter what you choose. Gone are the days of a one room homeschool space, and we miss those in a way. But today we wanted to show you our set up, and some simple things we added to make it work individually, for each kiddo.
So we’ve put a lot of energy into helping them prep their workspaces. Last night, we had an online meet the teacher session for our fifth grader, and she asked them all if they felt good about having their own study space. If it felt like their own, and if it felt nice, like they could work there. Our youngest immediately gave a thumbs up, without even hesitating. It may sound stupid, but if I can find comfort in anything right now, that’s what I’ll cling to. The little things. I’m kind of not allowed to fail at that part.
First up, our youngest two’s shared room.
This will be our middle’s learning space. She’s a seventh grader this year. Keeping it real, I found a comfier chair to work with, that’s easier for her to manipulate and adjust.
I also found some drawer organizers for all the kiddos, and let them put together everything that she wanted.
Along with a scrunchie and sticker collection because seventh graders.
I found that little containers everywhere to hold their supplies at a quick grasp are just what they need.
And while we’ve all been mourning this thing together, because our kids really do love school…
We’re making the most of the whole icky situation.
Our oldest has his own space, and while I really did love his antique desk chair {still do} but we substituted it out with the same chair we purchased for our middle.
Seriously y’all great price, and available through prime. And it doesn’t hurt to sit for hours on end.
He’s taking on courses like AP Language arts, architecture and coding this year for his first year of ninth grade, so it was important that he have his own little dedicated space. You may have noticed it with our middle’s learning area above, but I also grabbed some baskets from around the house that they can keep at their feet, as they change subjects. Something easy to corral all the things.
We keep joking that our fifth grader got the sweetest deal because he didn’t get the {shared} bedroom, but he does have a nice table where he can spread out.
He’s in our pool room, and is loving his cushy set up.
The below is a shot from this morning.
That green cabinet is currently bursting with craft/art supplies, so I let him adopt my supply cart to use at the usual dining table. That way we can easily roll it out of the way when not in use. I’ve wanted one of these forever and purchased one from Michael’s at the beginning of covid.
It’s been a game changer for him in the first week already. Yes, that is a Yoda Chia in the back. I’ve always wanted a Chia, so why not Yoda? It’s like an inception of nerdom.
There’s just something about their pride in their spaces. They all sat down excitedly with their chrome books and got to work organizing all the things.
It’s happiness in the little things, no matter how long we’re in this situation. We hope not too long. But we’re also trying to be realistic.
Of course we have plenty of quiet reading nooks and spaces to split up so they can have a fresh environment, while they finish their assignments.
And lots of company even though they say no pets in the room – Rigny + Fitz will probably be nearby.
I think they’re wondering why we never leave anymore.
No matter where you are this year, we hope it’s amazing and safe and wonderful for your kids.
We’re thinking of you. We know it’s hard.
Thinking of all of you.
Have an inspired day + safe week.
Jeanine says
It sounds like you made a good decision for your family, so congratulations on having that difficult decision behind you! Also, your kids have an amazing set up, and I hope and pray that this school year will be remembered as a one of the best ones ever for them and you. It won’t be perfect because that’s not possible in any scenario, but you already know that. I’ll tell you who does think it’s a pretty perfect situation, and that’s your dogs, lol! I’m sure that they are very happy campers with all of you around most all the time!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so much Jeanine! Thinking of everyone who has to make a choice right now. My brain is fried after today 😀 And the pups are… they get all the attention they could possibly need right now ;}
Erin Buehler says
I am loving your kiddos home school setups! Can you share where the desks are from? We are looking for something similar. Thanks so much!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey! They’re refinished versions of the desks in our original homeschool room – I did a round up here per request – with lots of options. Hope that helps get you started!
Belinda Aguirre says
Hi Ashley. You had me at the word “consistency”. I think that’s the perfect word for what children need to help them thrive, in all areas. My boys are grown now but I would be doing the same thing you are. And maybe you’ll be able to buy a couple new fun yard toys and use the excuse that it’s for the kids “PE/recess”. Haha.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Belinda – Thank you for letting me know – this comment actually makes me feel better. This choice has been pretty isolating in the beginning, but what we’re afraid of is that they’ll all be online anyway. Who knows? Hopefully, we’re wrong and either way everyone has a safe school year. We had a few glitches this morning and we’re just ready for everyone to settle in. My brain is fried 😀 And good point about recess! Ready to finish up this cabana so that they can even have classes out there if they want. Our ninth grader took the dogs for walks today for his PE so I’m not complaining 😀