Popular Post quark Posted May 4, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted May 4, 2017 I'm struggling on the one hand, but also so so so excited for the kid on the other. My heart is having a hard time juggling the whiplash of emotions. In about 3 weeks, and we all know how quickly that goes, this child will be done with homeschooling. I still remember the day I realized my son needed to get out of the private kindy fast. The day I confronted a bullying TA whom I had seen berating my not quite 5 year old in front of everyone in the parking lot (and listening aghast as my son told me only 2 years later the full extent of her bullying during those 3 short weeks he was there). Feeling like a coward for not giving her a piece of my mind but only calmly informing the school he won't be back. And then, the terrified feeling I woke up with every morning convinced he was going to have his life spoiled by his well meaning but totally clueless mom. All the mistakes I made the first 3 or 4 years trying to figure this kid out. Real tears. Real loneliness because we lived so far from friends and there was little emotional support from his dad. Real threats about marching kid down to the neighborhood school to put him there, then hugging and crying with him afterwards, apologizing for being so stupid. Watching loads of Attenborough documentaries to ease the pain. Realizing hey, if whole books and docus work so well to give us so much needed therapy, why not use them instead of the curriculum that just could not fit his spiky learning need? Slumping back on the sofa in shock when a math tutor we interviewed online spoke to him for 15 minutes, asked to speak with me then very matter of factly told me I was having so much trouble because this kid did not need more arithmetic but actual, formal algebra. After just turning 8. Feeling braver, that I could do this when he turned 9. Asking for math ideas here that led to a math journey I never imagined would lead to what he has now. Watching him laugh with Irrashai and Thinkwell Bio and realizing give this kid humor and he will learn anything. Receiving a yes from not one but two CCs. Receiving a yes twice from two Berkeley profs to take their classes (wait, three but we did not take the earliest offer because he was only 11 then). The never ending stream of support here when I realized the kid wanted to go to college early. The PMs and onlist/ offlist support. So so precious. Seeing a yes from Berkeley for fall 2017, not being able to hold back the tears of joy. Crumpling into a heap of shaking pride and relief on the floor knowing I had not spoiled his education after all. I am just so overcome. He did this. He worked his everything off. His father paid. But me. I helped! I enabled! I researched! And I loved it SO much. I will miss this SO much. What a gift. What a journey. I am just so grateful. Thank you for letting me share. 76 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrysalis Academy Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Quark, :grouphug: and :cheers2: ! I feel like I've been right here, every step of the way, watching and cheering. I'm so happy for you both. It's an inspiration. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 (edited) :grouphug: Is your son going to do a combined masters? My husband opt for a PhD program that skip masters and it was another roller coaster season choosing PhD programs then. He chose based on scholarship money. We get crap time to time from my in-laws until my husband feels the strain so now he doesn't tell them anything. Good luck on your work, freelance and otherwise. Edited May 4, 2017 by Arcadia 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maryam Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 How touching! And inspiring! Thank you so much for sharing such a heartfelt and beautiful success story. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Such a cool journey. Congrats to you and your son. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zoo Keeper Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 :hurray: :hurray: Many congratulations to the both of you. You have earned it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Congratulations!!!!! So happy for you and your DS. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 So happy for you all! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirabillis Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 I can feel the bittersweet happiness. I can't even imagine when I get there in 3 short years. I feel fortunate I have 3 more years, as I know it will break my heart. At least he's in CA - so he'll be close enough!!!! And you can continue to be his sounding board, edit his papers and be a part of his everything!! College doesn't mean the end - just the beginning of something new and wonderful!! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gratia271 Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Quark, You two are both amazing! You've been there together through all of it, and you will still be there for him even moving forward! I share your bittersweet feelings and the loneliness of having no one around here, even family to support (and they live here). This board and moms like you have inspired me and encouraged me, and, though I am far from done with more kiddos here, I share your feelings. I am so grateful to moms like you who make me realize it can be done and encourage me when I am falling on my face. And this is the one place I can agree with you and say for all of my happiness for DD, my heart is breaking because it feels like I am losing my best friend soon! Time to practice my "happy face" for a few more months. Seriously, though you two are awesome and inspirational to many others. :) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunshineMom Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Congratulations to you both! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 :grouphug: :hurray: :wub: :cheers2: :thumbup1: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 Thank you all so much. I am crying reading your lovely, supportive thoughts. I wish I could say I've known what to do at every step but truly, I have second guessed so much, made so many planning spreadsheets only to change everything minutes later till I finally gave up about 3 years ago. But through all that angst, I had you guys. These were very very clearly the best 10 years of my life. Made all the pain of delivering an oversized babe completely worth it lol. I also wish I can say my sweet kid lets me edit his papers. Sadly, that stopped years ago. Now I can only suggest but of course the sweet compliant nods are not as compliant as they used to be. Still, I will take whatever I get. Thank you again. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 And this is the one place I can agree with you and say for all of my happiness for DD, my heart is breaking because it feels like I am losing my best friend soon! Time to practice my "happy face" for a few more months. Seriously, though you two are awesome and inspirational to many others. :) Gratia, thank you. You have taught me so much. I am so honored to share this forum with you! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Well, of course you'd better not even THINK about leaving. :) We need you Quark! And all your wonderful experience and wisdom. :) 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 Rose, it's been such a pleasure walking this path together! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 Arcadia, I wish I knew the future. For now I hope the kiddo continues to follow his bliss. We are not discussing anything about masters etc. Just making sure the kid remembers to seek out his advisor regularly. The rest is up to him. I have a very strong feeling that given multiple interests, he might end up teaching math, making Japanese films and involving himself in various literary circles in the next 5 years. Whether or not grad school happens will depend on the direction those interests take. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisabees Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Quark, You. Are. Wonderful. It has been our honor. :grouphug: :grouphug: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 So so kind. Thank you so much everyone. :001_wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 So happy/sad for you, quark. You will have to keep us updated on his journey. All his internet aunties (and uncles) wish him the best! :) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Congrats to you both - and best of luck for what comes next. I will be done in a few weeks, too. Do you have a plan yet for what is to fill the hole his departure will leave? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quark Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 (edited) Congrats to you both - and best of luck for what comes next. I will be done in a few weeks, too. Do you have a plan yet for what is to fill the hole his departure will leave? :grouphug: and the same to you. Have learned so much from you regentrude. I found some contract work about a year ago that allows me a lot of flexibility and I have been steadily increasing hours over the last few months. Am also sending out resumes for work that has more regular hours! Edited May 12, 2017 by quark 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Good luck and hope you get flexible full time employment with great health insurance and coverage soon. A friend used to work as a sub-editor mostly from home full time for a regional leisure magazine. Some employers are still willing to sponsor further education relevant to job positions so keep a lookout. :grouphug: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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