It’s that time, folks! It’s the first day of school for my boys, and we’ve been eagerly anticipating this day since school let out for the summer! Last year was the boys’ first year of school in South Korea, and it was Porter’s first year of Kindergarten. It was also Spencer’s first full year of school in person, after his Kindergarten year was a hodgepodge of chaos during Covid times. This year though? We have big news…we officially decided to homeschool!
The First Day of School 2022-2023
I mentioned a few months ago that I was considering it, and I honestly abandoned the idea in its entirety about two months ago. I just wasn’t in it. I registered the boys for the DoDEA school on base and fully intended to send them back to school today. About a week ago though, I began to have this really unsettled feeling about school starting again.
Part of it was the fact that it hit me recently just how fast these boys are growing up. Part of it is the fact that I know our time together in South Korea is limited now. A lot of it had to do with the fact that, as a parent, I believe it’s my responsibility to take a truly active role in their education – and not just fill in the gaps with homework. As a photographer, my job is at home (barring sessions, of course), and I have the opportunity to actually be present for the kids, and I’m excited for that.
The Big Questions About Homeschooling
Am I nervous? Heck yes, I am! I am constantly plagued with worries that I won’t give the boys what they need this year, but I’m also prayerful and hopeful that we’ll work through this new challenge together.
What about Mieke, you ask? Mieke will continue going to her Korean Kindergarten (the equivalent of preschool) here because she’s doing incredibly. She loves it there, she’s honestly more fluent than any of us and can readily respond to Korean questions, which is wild. So, my focus will be on the boys’ education this year, and I’m excited…and terrified.
I’ll share more about the “why” in all of our homeschool decisions, as well as the curriculum(s) we chose for the boys soon, but for today, we’re just celebrating the first day of school together!
Cheers to first grade for Porter and second grade for Spencer. May it be our best on yet!
