Okay, for those of you who are interested in what I am up to, here's the scoop. Ruby loved kindergarten, hated first grade, hated 2nd grade. She felt like the day was too long and she didn't get enough play time, and she missed us. She was not having any problems socially or academically. Her teachers were fine, her school was fine, I just found myself wanting more time with her as I watched her childhood going by too fast. I wanted more influence in her life, and more control over her time. I had been thinking about it for a long time, and had always kept it open as an option to present her when she reached middle school (because I think middle school is evil and soul crushing) but as she continued to complain I thought about it more seriously. After Christmas break she finished a couple of weeks before I got up the nerve to finally take her out. It was as simple as walking into the office and telling them my intentions. I took her home that day and we have been educating her here ever since. I think I have missed it more than she has. I keep asking if she wants to go back and so far her answer continues to be an emphatic no. It is basically a giant experiment, I don't really know if it's the best solution. I find that there are trade offs. It is more work for me to sit down and teach a math lesson, but I have less stress overall I think. We have no more homework tears, more energy for soccer practice, and no wasted time driving her to and from school. The best thing to come out of it so far has been the friendship her and Calvin have developed. She was gone everyday until almost 4:00, then dinner, homework, soccer, etc. and she never had time for him before. She has become a wonderful big sister and loves spending time with him now that she is home more. For now it is working for us. I will keep you posted on how it's going.
