It is a true blessing to have the ability, patience, compassion, dedication, and the willingness to make the many sacrifices it takes to be successful in homeschooling! Any homeschooler knows the negativity and social stigma we all deal with by schooling our children at home, but it is extremely unfortunate that my children have had to endure such horrific treatments from members of their own family! It has often been told to them by certain people that they wish they would go to "real school" and that I was doing nothing but harming them by keeping them at home both socially and academically. I take great offense in anyone trying to convince my children into thinking that I do nothing other than what is truly best for them. I have always done what is best for my children, as no matter what, THEY have ALWAYS come first! I will forever be thankful...and I will always wish and hope as well!
Well, our hard work has paid off! The private school that we were hoping Cardinal would get accepted to made the decision to accept her within minutes of receiving her portfolio. They were very impressed with her academic background and her state test scores and we received her acceptance letter the very next day. In order to get into this school you have to have an outstanding academic record, acceptable state test scores and students must prove that they have the ability to thrive as a student at the school. The price of this school does not come cheap! The tuition is $9,830 per year. We are very fortunate that she qualifies for a $5,000 scholarship to put towards her yearly tuition.
My children are very blessed to have the opportunity to have an education tailored specifically for them and to have the one on one attention that they each get being schooled at home. In mid 2007 we went through some very traumatic times...Hawk suffered his head injury, my mother began fighting for her life after her near fatal heart attack and at the time Cardinal was harboring the most horrific secret any child should ever have to bear. In January of 2008 our lives took a drastic turn...we were forced to leave our home and move into a rape and abuse shelter during which time I delivered my 6th baby and attended the indictment of my husband. Shortly after we moved in with my parents and suffered through 10 months of court appearances, meetings, counseling, etc. During these two years, I had the amazing ability to ensure that my children did not suffer academically! While in the shelter, we left and returned home to attend school everyday for 3 weeks. We would never of had to leave our home, had we not been forced out by the other person who owned the home and by being forced out our only option was to go into the shelter in order to obtain affordable housing. Had my children not been homeschooled during that time, they would have had to be withdrawn from their current school and enrolled in the school district in which we were residing..then once we moved out of the shelter we would have had to withdrawal and re-enroll in yet another school. No child would have been as successful for those two traumatic years as my children were. No matter what we were going through or how difficult it was, we had the flexibility and the ability to cater to what needed to be done. They did not "lose" a single year in their education during those two years and not one person could ever convince me that same success would have been possible if they were not homeschooled.
I have prepared them for "the real word" with a world class curriculum and I've always supplemented that curriculum with things that my children have had a direct interest in (all while having their future goals in sight).
Cardinal was so proud of her accomplishment, she made a phone call to tell someone of her acceptance to the school she so badly hoped she would get into. As always, this person was asking detailed questions about our personal financial business (things that should absolutely not be discussed outside of our home). This person asked how we would pay for her tuition. Cardinal answered the question the best she could (not having a full understanding of the situation herself, as this is not her concern and should not be discussed with a child anyways...I hate that people outside of our immediate family put me in a position to have to explain inappropriate financial business to my children...my children should NEVER have to worry about MY finances). This persons reply to Cardinal's explanation was "It's a good thing because otherwise you would be "screwed" and not ever be able to go to school"!
Wow...I mean just WOW!!!!
I am a mother that goes beyond the ends of the earth for my children!!!!
I know that,
anyone who sees me parent my children knows that, people in our homeschooling community know that, anyone who has heard about me knows that....ANYONE who as ever met me "KNOWS THAT" and
MOST IMPORTANTLY...
my children know that!
My children are "who" they are because of "me". They would NOT be where they are if it was not for me! I take full credit for where my children are today and I am very proud of my accomplishments and what I have been able to do with them. I am so proud of the path that I have laid for them.
Wow, it amazes me that throughout all the trials and tribulations you have had to endure, YOU have been their constant and steady protector. It has been a tremendous blessing to be able to keep your kids with you no matter what. That gives them a great security and reliability regardless of their education. The fact that you are able to provide that above what is "needed" but Cardinal was able to thrive academically as well is huge for her and the other kids future. It is so great how we can can tailor our curriculum to fit the personalities and interests of our kids for their future! I agree with you 100%...it isn't anyone's place to question how you will provide for their schooling. Especially to the kids. It's a cheap shot asking them those questions. If their not asking you, and asking you in a manner of which to help and support they have no business asking at all. This is just another life lesson you get to teach the kids about how to respect others. :) Teachable moments! Keep it up! You are doing great and are an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteAloha,
Christie
rhomeschoolhale.com
Thank you so much for the kind words. It's nice to see that others can see the good in home educating our children and not just because of our unique circumstances but because we can tailor to their personalities and interests. Due to my decision to keep my children safe we now live in a very poor area because right now, that’s all I can afford. I don’t feel I deserve to be commended for doing what any mother should have done, but I don’t feel that my children deserve to be made to feel that I am less deserving of a mother because I can not provide a “nicer” place for them to live or because someone feels that I am robbing them of an education they deserve. I don’t deserve to be talked down about or for them to be told things such as "I wish you lived with your dad" because someone thinks a better house and more money means a better life for my children or how anyone who loves them could think that them being ripped away from their siblings and the only security they have ever known would be "best" for them. So yes, this is yet another lesson (a constant one in our life) of teaching my children about how to respect others. My children are being raised to never judge people…a very difficult thing to teach them when I am so wrongly judged by some of the people who surround them.
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