Tonya Matthews

To everyone,

I can't thank you all enough for the wonderful ideas and thoughtful
sharing of experiences. They have all been SO helpful and have given
me a lot to think about.

Like Mary said, to leave the learning co op would be a grieving
process, for sure. What an amazing group of mothers and children. BUT
they do hold events that we may still be able to share in from time to
time. For instance, I plan many field trips with them. It's good for a
discount rate and it always adds to the fun :)

Also, in regards to leaving Christian at home.. He's been left home
many times for about a year now. The issue I have is with the time and
distance. The more I mull it over though, there ~may~ be a way to
arrange with my second shift husband and to simply ~not~ stay all day.
I did talk to Christian again about it. He IS happy to be there. Maybe
he just doesn't need the classes, or needs the option to NOT attend if
he doesn't want, or to just not go. He does enjoy the courses..
there's art and science and chess. It's definately more school-y than
unschooling but not nearly what it may sound. There's no homework, the
kids' interests are followed in choosing what to talk about, etc.
Having been our first year at this, it was a nice 'bridge' for the
time being while we were finding our way.

I've also taken much of the advice on the board and started delving
into my own interests again. I picked up the neatest book on country
living and I have bread rising in the kitchen as we speak! I love
gardening and my beds look nice this year (so far) and I've begun
planting in my vegetable garden.

So, bottom line is THANK YOU everyone. I ~loved~ hearing about your
experiences.

Warm regards,
Tonya