08 February 2010
By rueyn
In Kid., Life., School.
Through reading and talking with local homeschool families I’ve found that it is possible for me to continue my own education while providing the Kid with his. They all tell me it would be tough, but possible for me to study the last four classes I have via night school next year and then set myself up for entry into nursing school come 2013. Anything I did would have to be after 4:30 until the Kid got old enough to be by himself (which won’t happen for many, many years), but I like knowing that I can not only help my kid, but also help Mike, too.
I’ve been thinking today about letting this term be the Kid’s last at his preschool. He has until August, 2011 to start kindergarten, and I’m considering using that time to try out unschooling/homeschooling to see how we do. I’m lucky to have a family full of natural learners, so there’s every possibility it will work for us, but if it doesn’t the Kid will still be academically ready to start school come next August. If he’s out of preschool I’m going to set him up with some sort of class (probably yoga) just to keep him out there in the social circles.
I’m going to talk to the Kid about school today and see where his head it at. The last time I asked a few weeks back what his favorite thing about school was, he said, “Playing Legos.”
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04 February 2010
By rueyn
In Kid., Life., Medical.
I knew it was coming, but I’m still not sure I was prepared for it. The Kid’s eyes are getting better, but they’re still turning like crazy, so the doc finally said it’s time to consult a specialist about muscle surgery.
I’d read about the surgery before, and he bluntly asked me what my concerns were, which I told him. We sat and talked for probably fifteen minutes, and I understand the *why* much better now.
Apparently there are two components going on with the Kid’s vision:
1. The glasses/patching, which are both working “very well”. Seriously – the Kid started at 20/70, and now he’s down to 20/40.
2. The actual muscles of the eye, which are not doing what they’re supposed to be doing. The doc isn’t sure why, but it’s usually because the muscle behind the eyes is either too loose or too tight, which can only be fixed with surgery, and the younger that’s done, the better the outcome.
We’ve been seeing this current doctor since summer of 2008, so this was not a decision he made quickly or lightly.
In March we go to the specialist (best in Chattanooga). The surgery would be outpatient, only takes about twenty minutes, and the eye never leaves the socket. But it could take two or three actual surgeries to get the eyes aligned permanently, and obviously there’s general anesthesia involved. So S-C-A-R-Y for us parents.
I have no idea how to prepare a four-year-old for something like this, but you can bet I’ll be there every step of the way, with exception to performing the actual operation.
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02 February 2010
By rueyn
In Gluten., Recipes.
I’m officially cooking more than I ever did prior to going gluten-free. Last night was the most amazing gluten- and dairy-free double-chocolate brownies (with walnuts) I’ve ever had (gluten-free or not), and tonight is lettuce wraps!
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02 February 2010
By rueyn
In Uncategorized
…how even with decisions you know are right, there can still be a period of grief.
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02 February 2010
By rueyn
In Kid., School.
There are plenty of local resources with regard to homeschool events, including the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Zoo, Hunter Museum, and the Creative Discovery Museum.
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02 February 2010
By rueyn
In Kid., Life., School.
I’m 90% convinced to give homeschooling a trial period of two years (barring any strenuous objections from Mike, of course). I have two big issues left that I’m working through/researching right now:
1. Nursing school. I have no idea if it’s feasible to expect I can still attend night school or not.
2. Would Mike want to continue being the breadwinner for the length of time the Kid is being schooled at home?
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01 February 2010
By rueyn
In Kid., School.
I’ve been talking to several different sources about this whole schooling decision, and one of the people, a teacher, pointed out that with magnet schools the Kid’s friends would be scattered all over the area, which can make it difficult for everyone to get together regularly. I hadn’t thought about that, but it’s a valid point, especially if I’ll be in school, myself.
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30 January 2010
By rueyn
In Kid., Life., Nature., Pictures.
Accomplished only after Grandpa’s flight was canceled, and he used his 4×4 to come pick up the Kid. Those are radishes for the eyes and a carrot for the nose.
We ended up with about six inches of snow total. Some of it melted today but it’s getting down to 20F tonight, so what’s left will freeze. Tomorrow the sun will melt the rest, and come Monday we’ll rejoin society.
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