Passing the Torch – Reflections of a Homeschool Mom

Have you heard?Alhamdulilah (praise God), I’m officially on the last leg of our homeschool journey because Kira has been accepted into a dual-credit program at a local community college. She will, in sha Allah (God willing) complete her Junior and Senior years of high school at the community college, earning both high school and college credit.

All milestones in life tend to make us reflect. Now that it appears my homeschooling high school journey is coming to an end, at least for the next decade, I wanted to share some of my reflections.

Things I wish I did differently

1.  I wish I would have started homeschooling earlier. We started with a virtual school in 4th grade and concluded with it at the end of 5th grade.It was a great way to get us started, especially to get the naysayers in our life to think we weren’t going nuts, but I wish we could have started traditional homeschooling earlier. I always felt like I was behind the 8 ball, trying to bridge where school had taken her, and where I wanted her to be in high school. Trying to bridge that gap in two years (she completed 6th and 7th grade in one year) was a bit stressful.
2. I wish I didn’t move her ahead a year. She did the work in math and language arts equivalent to two years, so it was more of her hard work that moved her ahead, but still, I wish I had that year to keep working on study skills with her. I just wish we had one more year to solidify a couple things, and I’m learning now not to rush things when you’re parenting. That includes rushing them through school.
3. I wish life wasn’t so hectic. In the last five years, we have bought two houses and had three kids. In those years I spent two of them as a homeschool co-op coleader, a coordinator for a masjid group, a halaqa leader, and weekend Islamic school teacher, among other things. It took me a while to really settle in to SAHM life, and I made myself far too busy in the first few years I was unemployed.

I’m thankful

1. I’m so glad we did credit by exam, with both the successes and the failures. The successes taught her that great things are possible when you know the opportunities are out there. The failures taught her the rigor she should expect in the college world. School came easy for Kira for many years, so I’m glad that her first taste of failure came in the form of something quite forgiving in the long run.
2. I’m thankful that we’ve been able to put fencing as a priority in her life. She’s been able to do national competitions and go to practice four times a week. I don’t think we’d be able to manage that type of schedule if she was juggling a school and homework schedule also.

I’m looking forward to

1. I’m excited to see how she does in college. We have talked up how much hard work it’s going to be, so I hope she finds it slightly easier than she’s expecting. I think she has the potential to do very well.
2. A bit selfish, but I’m looking forward to being able to focus on my little kids’ activities a bit more. Kira has been almost completely independent, but high school took a lot of mental space for me. Without needing to plan and grade her work, that mental space is freed up for preschool activities.
3. I’m looking forward to watching Kira grow as an adult. She has lots of hopes and dreams for her future, and I’m curious to see where that takes her. In sha Allah she’ll be a strong member of her community.

The blog will start reflecting the change from homeschooling high school to starting back in the younger years, but stick around for ideas, resources, and thoughts on supporting a beginning college student, in sha Allah!