Homeschooling

I was a teacher in my previous life, this is true. However, I taught HS English. People hear that and assume I can teach a child to read or write. I cannot. This is obvious from the reading/writing abilities of my children- and my patience level when trying to work with them. Despite all this, Maura has asked, rather begged, me to home school her next year. Apparently I agreed.

I am pretty sure the conversation went like this...

LOTS of background noise, yelling, crying, singing inlcuded

Maura: Mom

Me: (ignore)

Maura: Mom, Mom, Mom

Me: (ignore)

*there are probably five other "mom"s being said at this time

Maura: MOM

Me: WHAT?

Maura: WIll you homeschool me this year?

Me: Sure, whatever Maura.

Maura: (walking away) Thanks mom

Me: (also walking-the other way) Your welcome Mo

And so it happened. Apparently I promised my soon to be 1st grader to homeschool her this year. At first I thought if I ignored it, it would go away. I realized that was not working. So, I tried and tried to convince her it was a bad idea. Mommy, barely knows how to read herself, you know? Then we even did some sample lessons. She loved them. The popcorn and drinks probably did not help! What can I say? I even made popcorn when I really did teach.

We went "Back to School" shopping the other day. I said these clothes were only if she went to real school. She said she needed to look good at home to do good (I know- well). WHen we were checking out with piles and piles of clothes, the saleslady asked if these were her back to school clothes, she proudly said YES, I am being homeschooled this year. The lady looked at me (kind of strangely) and said, "wow, that is great. Lucky you." When my friend Meghan asked her what she is most excited about for 1st grade, she just said, "Well, I was supposed to be homeschooled."

When I did tell her (I assumed she knew) that she would not have the same teacher as last year, she did sigh a sigh of relief and say "oh, well, then I don't HAVE to be homeschooled, but I would still prefer it." She also mentioned she had nightmares about her teacher from last year. When I asked her why she never told me, she said, "you would just say, She's fine, Maura, go back to bed"... poor thing!

SO I have about 3 weeks to convince her that having me as a homeschool teacher would indeed NOT be a good idea. at. all.