A HOMESCHOOL POEM

They said she couldn’t learn; wouldn’t learn.
Perhaps she shouldn’t learn.
Let's medicate out of concern,
so she can’t disturb the others.

There's something wrong inside her brain.
Others are just the same.
We must label them
all in the name of education for all - except her.

I did not listen for she is mine.
Though she tires me, I will take the time.
She tests my patience,
but it is not a crime to be so energetic.

Now I sit beside this child.
She is unruly, and often wild.
But on her face, there is a smile
that melts a mother's heart.

I now know I’ve made a choice,
to let a little girl keep her voice.
Someday a nation will rejoice
instead of just her mother.

She will grow up free to be herself,
her inhibitions upon a shelf.
With no one to blame, except oneself
and me, if she falls short.

Responsibility I will gladly take,
as the other options, I did forsake.
In her education, I did partake,
for she is mine alone.

The system could not have known
what hides inside of her.
…Now look how she has grown.

I wrote this poem at the end of my first year as a homeschooling mom. We are on Year 3 now. She, my daughter is not quite as unruly, tiring, or out of control. In fact, she is as sharp as a tack! I have alot of things to think. Being able to find online interactive elementary learning programs that fit her personality, or just the decision to homeschool. She's hardly a baby anymore, no one would ever guess that she should have been on Ritalin (per the elementary school she was in), and now, no one would have ever guesses that she would have advanced so quickly. She was in 2nd grade our first year of homeschooling and the elementary math curriculum we used really boosted her confidence. In fact she did so well that first year that she was using the third grade software by January.

In addtion she did an excellent job on her standarized tests this past summer. I think the freedom I had to choose the right educational learning systems for review work her made all the difference.

my goodness.... now look how she has grown.