Time to Act

In 2009, the year my oldest daughter would be starting Kindergarten, I chose to homeschool (www.lemonadebythecup.blogspot.com.)  I did all the research, the "soul searching," and weighing all the pros and cons, however, still slightly uncertain, I registered my child for Kindergarten with sweaty palms, a pounding heart and tears streaming down my face.  A few weeks later, I withdrew the registration and wrote my letter of intent to homeschool.  We joined a homeschooling co-op and things were going smoothly until the end of that year.  Long story short: my (now ex) husband quit his job and moved to VA leaving me to support three small children (and didn't pay a dime in child support for months.)  At that time I only worked part time making minimum wage.

In February 2010 I registered my kindergartener at the elementary school and placed my two other children in daycare.  I started full time work as a temp at a spring manufacturing company in Syracuse.  Six months later I was hired by the company to work full time and have been with the company ever since.

The adjustment period, both emotionally and financially, has taken every bit of the last 3 years.  My plate was piled high and there was no room to think about anything extra beyond feeding my children, keeping a roof over their heads and going through the absolute basic routine of life one day at a time.

As we've settled into our new family life and my employment has been stable, not to mention the children getting older and more independent, I have found my plate is more balanced.  The balance I'm discovering has allowed me to realize my ability to get more involved with my children's education and school experience.  With my youngest entering Kindergarten in the fall, I have felt very strongly that now is the best time for me to act. 

I love my career and the people I work with and feel blessed everyday to have a good, stable job that allows me to provide for my children, but my heart still wishes there was a way to homeschool my children. I'm a believer that learning and education is all around us. The year that I spent actively involving my children in absorbing and learning at home taught me lessons that, to this day, have stuck with me (and hopefully them as well.)  Alas, since my dream to homeschool cannot be, I plan to do the next best thing; get involved and support my children's school's PTO. 

I have never, ever in my life been to a PTO meeting (shameful, I know!) Hopefully, my involvement will help me take more responsibility for my children's education and shaping their future. The school's PTO website states, "In essence we are here to help encourage our children to be the best that they can be and show our support and devotion to their future."  I can get on board with that.