About Us

MEET ME:

I'm Joyice, also known as "The Writing Enhancer." I sm married with two boys ages 6 & 3 (at the time of this post)  and I am new to homeschooling. I am not a traditional homeschool mom. While I have been at home with them, I never once considered homeschool. I have taught and subbed in public schools, so naturally I sent my oldest to school last year for his Kindergarten year. We had a wonderful experience. His teacher really cared about him and his learning. She catered her teaching to all the children in the classroom, but of course I saw this most in my own child. As the year progressed, my son showed signed of "giftedness", but it was too early to test him. We moved on. I always "homeschooled" both of my boys heavily in the summer, as we had more time, all three of us, at least.

 THE PROBLEM:

 As the 2012-2013 school year approached, we enrolled our son in school for his 1st grade year, hoping for the same experience as last year. First grade consistently and frequently failed to meet our expectations. My son suddenly began to claim he "hated" school, he was overwhelmingly bored because he was not being challenged enough. The boredom then resulted in behavior issues (that my son never had before) and ultimately he did not want to be there. On top of that, his awareness (and introduction) to certain topics and issues were too mature for a six year old, in my opinion. When I asked him, "where did you learn that?" or "who told you that?", my son often replied "school" or "my teacher". Needless to say, I was becoming more and more irritated with public school.

In turn, I realized, with the help of the Lord and some others, that I was in fact more irritated with OUR decision to enroll him in public school. Public school was failing my child and I was allowing it to happen! Who knew?!?! When I had that epiphany, I realized, I had a CHOICE! If that was not enough, a lady at my church reached out to me and mentioned that in children's church my son had admitted to being bullied at school. (I didn't even know!) I quickly began "to see" that we could not continue down this path, and this was just the first nine weeks of school. More and more, I was being led by God to seek an alternative educational route for my son. At first, I thought the issue was mainstream education, so, I had him tested for giftedness (because you can in 1st grade) believing that if his results favored my desire I could withdraw him and enroll in a magnet school. However, I learned the results were not due back until December, and at this point I could not wait that long.

 THE SOLUTION:

 As I sat in church one day, my pastor said these exact words, "some of y'all aren't going to like what I have to say, but some of you need to take your kids out of public schools." My first thought was, well then, where do they go? And please, do not mention private school because many claim private school as if i'ts affordable--it's not! Obviously, he mentioned homeschool. If I never heard the Lord speak, I did then. Public schools do not believe what I believe. I wanted my child to be someplace where the same beliefs, traditions, faiths, and practices were being upheld. Not a place where they were draining out the very substance I worked SO hard to instill.

THE TASKS/GOALS MET:

Within a week, I had researched homeschool, contacted by county office, meet with a homeschool mom guru, studied curriculum, paid for curriculum, visited Christian homeschool blogs/sites, withdrew my son, and began homeschooling him! Did I mention I was in the middle of completing a teaching internship for my Master's Degree? Do after that, I had to prepare to withdraw from school! Whew! That was a busy and crazy week for my family.

THE CONCLUSION:

I am so happy I did! My husband and I love it. My son is overjoyed that he can learn without having to wait for others or be told to stop because he wants to move ahead. He also enjoys sleeping in and having home-cooked lunches! ;-) We are enjoying being at home. If you are a "transition" homeschool mom or at least thinking about it and you are of the Christian faith, here are a few scriptures that may help you along your journey.

Seek God about what is best for you and your child(ren).

- Psalm 1:1
-Proverbs 1:7
-Proverbs 22:6
-Matthew 12:30

Blessings,
Joyice
"The Writing Enhancer"