Dawson's father and I divorced when he was two years old. His dad moved to another state shortly after that, so I have been primarily responsible for him and his sister from that time on. His dad has been more active in his life in the past few years. But, mostly, I make the major decisions regarding them because, quite frankly, I'm the one who has been raising them.
But, this schooling issue is a big issue! Although whatever decision made ultimately doesn't affect his dad, it's still one he has the right to know about and understand. And Dawson and I were really hoping that he would be supportive of it. Honestly, though, I didn't expect his support.
Homeschooling is a strange concept to someone who doesn't know anything about it. It's been a strange concept for me, too. Every argument I knew he would have against it was an argument I have already had with myself. And, his mother and sister are teachers, so public school teaching is important to them.
I expected a fight. I wasn't planning on letting his protests keep me from doing what I know in my heart to be the right decision for Dawson. But, I expected a fight anyway. I wasn't looking forward to it. Dawson wasn't looking forward to it.
I gave his dad all of the information yesterday. I heard through my daughter that he was furious about it. I braced myself for "the phone call". I had my arguments all ready. And then I got an e-mail from him telling me that he didn't know what was best for Dawson, that he wanted what was best for him, and that his biggest concern was the stigma attached to homeschooled kids and how it would affect him when applying for colleges and jobs in the future. And that was it. To me, that was support, or as much support as I was going to get.
I was shocked, but so happy that he didn't tear into me, especially since I don't think he really knows enough about what's going on to do that.
Going forward with this decision is so much nicer knowing that I don't have anyone to fight about it with.
For that I am grateful!
Yesterday I ordered the general curriculum I will use next year. I am excited to receive it and will post about it later.
I know this is an old post and you are still homeschooling (yay!) but I hope that by now all involved know how there really is no "stigma" for homeschoolers getting jobs or college degrees. They do it all the time!
ReplyDeleteBless you in your endeavors.