Coming Home...to Waldorf

Earlier this year, our family discovered the Waldorf philosophy/education.  It feels odd to use the word "discovered" as I've known of Waldorf for years, probably over a decade. But, I never dug deeply and explored what it was all about. I had it filed away in my head as either a luxury (as Waldorf schools are generally very expensive) or just plain weird (I had heard that black crayons weren't allowed and that children were discouraged from writing with their left hands).  More than once I had said out loud to others, with a chuckle, that I could never be a Waldorf mom, as I'm not very creative or artistic and have you see how expensive the "Waldorf" toys cost???

In the summer of 2013, we began using a curriculum for the first time ever with my (then) 9 year old son. We chose Oak Meadow, as I loved that it was nature based and had lots of projects. I read that it was Waldorf-inspired, but didn't understand what that really meant. I just liked the emphasis on the natural world. 

It started off okay. My son seemed to like it ok. Some of it felt a bit tedious, but I liked it overall. However, as the months went by, I had to admit that something wasn't working. My son used to love homeschool, and he now would cry every Sunday night dreading his having to do homeschool the next day. He didn't want to go to school, he loved being home, but he was starting to seriously dislike our curriculum. I pushed on, not wanting to just up and quit. I wanted him to have a sense of accomplishment, and it old him we could find a better curriculum fit for him the following school year. However, the day came when I had to admit that I was not putting my son first. It was clear that it wasn't for him, and it was causing so much conflict each day. This wasn't how I wanted things to be. 

We made it through the first two (of three) semesters of oak meadow, 4th grade before I said that was  the end. In January 2014, I started digging around online for a better solution. I started asking parents on the Oak Meadow online group about other options. I looked at everything suggested. Then one day, a woman replied that she uses Waldorf Essentials curriculum. I checked out the website, and liked what I saw. But, it was Waldorf. I still didn't know what exactly that meant, and I wasn't sure I could ever be a Waldorf homeschooler. I always prided myself on not following a routine, and while I can sew and knit, I don't consider myself an especially creative person. But, I wrote the author, Melisa Nielson. I told her about my son and asked about her curriculum. It makes me feel chocked up to think about it, as it was such a turning point (for the better) for myself and my family! The sweet mama who originally suggested Waldorf Essentials offered to chat on the phone with me about her experience. Our conversation pretty much cemented my decision. I signed up for their amazing Thinking Feeling Willing program, as well as buying their 4th grade curriculum. Shortly after that, I became a lifetime member, some of the best money I've ever spent on homeschooling. I began her training to do this Waldorf homeschooling thing in February and it is now august. Our home life has transformed, not just our homeschool lessons. 

Over the last few weeks, when I'm doing chores and just thinking, the phrase that keeps popping into my head is 'I feel like I've come home.' Waldorf feels like home to me, where I've belonged all along. I'm still learning so much, and loving the entire process. I have so much to more to say on this, but I'll save it for future blog posts. 

I'm so grateful to have finally found home.