Hello, I am the Cowardly Lion

I lack courage.

Where does this stem from?

From a summer-long debate about where God wants us to educate our children.
Our oldest is entering 2nd grade, our middle son starting pre-4.

To date Aidan has gone to our parish school, and both boys have been registered there since spring.
Yet homeschooling has heavily been on my mind, yet again.

One day I'm all pumped, buying bins to create their workboxes, choosing curriculum, and getting down right excited over the flexibility it will enable, the financial freedom, the new opportunities.

The next day, I feel God wants us to stick with the plan, at least for this year, allowing Aidan to receive his First Holy Communion with his class, appreciating the wonderful Catholic staff at our parish.

I see something that seems a sign for Catholic school.
I then see something that seems a sign for homeschooling.

I have had endless discussions about it with numerous people, attended the Homeschool Resource Sale, joined Yahoo groups...
It's interfered with my sleep. Brought butterflies to my stomach.
Tears to my eyes.

I believe that it's not one-size-fits-all. If you follow God's plan, it will ultimately be what's best for your family.
For some, that means traditional school.
For others, that means homeschooling.

One is not better than the other (usually), and homeschooling parents are not better than other parents, parents who choose traditional schools are not better than homeschooling families.

But UGH.
I'm torn up.
I feel perhaps this year, at least, God wants our boys at our parish school.
Much to my surprise, I also feel sad at that.
I enjoy lesson planning, seeing them interact so well together, grow, etc.

I'm between a rock and hard place, and I'm lacking courage to let go & let God.


I am the cowardly lion.
I just want what is overall best for my boys and my family.
I don't want to miss the special moments, I want them to have solid friends, to be safe, love God above all else, and when need be, I want to trust the people in their lives.

My heart is heavy.

Cutting Edge?

Where do we draw the line as schools attempt to crack down on safety?
I know it's not just schools. Heck, you can't usually get away with a nail file on a flight these days!
I'm in favor of zero-tolerance policies, but I don't think zero-tolerance should take the place of common sense and good judgement. Fine, let's get all "cutting edge", but we can't just throw the for mentioned out the window! (or can we?)

Stories such as this truly make me consider homeschooling on a much deeper level. Yes, the girl should not have had a steak knife at school. Her parents or responsible guardians should have prevented this from ever happening. But it did happen. And instead of her spending the entire day in the Principal's office, she wound up going to juvie, kiddie jail. (By the way, it's in the article that she never made any threats or anything. She was just eating her lunch)

Was that really necessary? Escort her away in a police car and take her to juvenile assessment center? Makes me sigh heavily.