Big Changes for Nathanael
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Big changes are in store for Nathanael! For all of us, actually.
This school year began as a bit of a trial run. Nathanael needs extra rest because of health concerns, and we knew that he would be getting a lot less rest with longer school hours.
In fact, he did better than expected in many ways. He’s been learning a lot, he’s been doing better with his homework – there has been a lot of good news. And it’s been fun having Hannah and Nathanael in the same school for the first time since the spring of 2008.
However, things haven’t been going as well at the school. There’s no need to go into a lot of details, but we’ve been trying to work with the teachers and leadership of the school to make sure he’s getting the education he needs. There have been a lot of meetings, and a lot of prayer, but things have gotten to the point where we feel we need to make a change.
So, in short, Nathanael will not be going back to the school in January. We considered putting him into another school, but we feel that more change and adjustment is not what he needs right now.
So at this point, he will be continuing English and Spanish education at home. We may look for some help with that. We hope to put him into one or more programs (such as swimming lessons again) as well.
He will also have more opportunity for interaction with neighbourhood kids (there are a lot of them!) since he won’t be spending hours doing homework each night.
It will take time to get all the details worked out – and it will be something we’re taking one day at a time. This isn’t necessarily a forever decision either. For both Hannah and Nathanael we’ve taken things one year at a time (while thinking about the future, of course).
There’s no doubt this will be a drastic adjustment for all of us. If you know Nathanael, you know that he needs constant supervision, which means one of us will need to be helping him almost all the time. Leave him for 20 seconds – and who knows what may happen! 😉
So we would appreciate your prayers as we make these changes.
Meanwhile, Hannah and Nathanael are at their school for the last day – well, half a day – practising for the Christmas program! Then the Christmas program takes place on Monday night. Then – holidays!
17 December 2010 @ 11:08 am
I feel you there. My 7 yr old daughter has been *struggling* with Spanish and school since the get go – and we believe that it’s dyslexia and that ALL the kids my have it . . .so we had to go through these same sort of considerations . . . it encouraged me to you said that these are not “forever decisions”, a reminder for ourselves as well. And today they have their classroom “Posadas” and then it’s holidays for us.
Blessing
17 December 2010 @ 11:24 am
I didn’t know you were thinking to do this – but I applaud you! We too took it one year at a time for each of the kids’ education (always asking God for TWO years to know the future – but never did :)!) Am hoping you and S. are united – and God will meet you each day/step. Love you guys!!!
17 December 2010 @ 12:26 pm
Wow that is a big change to adjust to we will lift you guys up in prayer more as you discern the coming year.. Thanks for sharing with us this must be a very stressful situation may God continue to lead you and what’s best for your family
17 December 2010 @ 2:41 pm
The Lord will bless you all throughout the changes. We have home educated since Matt was 4; now he is 20. He and his 4 siblings have thrived and have evidenced Christian character to the point where some have gone against them for not ‘fitting in’ with the lifestyles of Christian young people, yet the employers of our 3 older ones marvel at the dedication, responsible attitudes and joy of the Lord in them and expressed by them. The road is at times hard, but well worth the journey!
18 December 2010 @ 1:53 am
I am not going to lie. It is a lot of work to home educate your kid/s (especially in the early – hands on – yrs as they get older they become mostly self-taught) but it is definitely worth the effort. I also believe you can be more flexible – at the same time sacrifices sometimes need to be made so that you can focus on the needs of your child(I’m thinking educational but as you know it can apply to physical and spiritual). This will definitely be an exciting adventure for you and Shari but God always provides what you need when you follow His will. Praying for you to learn a lot about yourself (quite often that is case), to grow closer to Nathan and closer to God through this.
On the side I have always said that I would take one yr @ a time. We started homeschooling from the beginning from the oldest to the youngest, now they are in grades eleven, ten and four.
I apologize for for sounding kinda preachy. I have been doing this so long and have come up against misconceptions and disapproval. But I persevere because I believe homeschooling to be part of my ministry to my family. Who knows you may find that new doors will open to you.
9 January 2011 @ 10:22 pm
Just a note to let you know that I’ve posted your needs on my desk, in order to be praying. Trust that your homeschooling experience will be a good one. Your kids definitely have to come before ministry, especially when there are special needs, so never feel guilty for giving them the time they need. Trust that you’re feeling better by now as well, Sherri.
We said “goodbye” to Toño and Becky and Jessica this morning, have been praying for them throughout the day, and are anxious to hear that they arrived back safely! Warm greetings to Rod and Mayra!