Many families are looking at other options for their family, including homeschooling for the first time. During the crisis schooling period, families discovered the classroom learning to be less than a parent’s ideal.
Our space evolved as the kids transitioned to elementary school. When we bought our current house 2 years ago, a dedicated school space was a priority, and I knew that our school room had to accommodate my four school space non-negotiables: I wanted a reading couch, computer desks and both independent and community work spaces.
Getting an IEP for my autistic son was a nightmare, it included a denial and an advocate. His needs don’t show up accurately in the testing environment because he is a good reader and has a great memory. We tried applying a second time after we had his official Autism diagnosis and it was uphill battle because their previous testing showed no need. Eventually we got one only to have it reduced the next year. He was thriving, but he was thriving only because of the IEP accommodations. We knew he would not be able to adjust to a normal classroom environment.
Somehow each year the first day meltdowns always surprise me. And at the end of day one Mama needed her quiet space and felt discouraged before we barely started our year. I forget to have the right expectations for our first day.
