What have I done?

Up early finishing the uploads for work. Yesterday was Jordan's last day of school, and today begins the era of homeschooling, and I'm thinking: what the heck have we done? I've no concern about the academics of the situation; it's still the socializing. We've made a start on getting playdates begun with one of his soccer friends, but that's it. Nothing else. And that one thing is not enough.

So now, not only is there the constant struggle with being a good at-home parent because I'm the dad in a non-traditional role, there's also the worry of trying to be the non-traditional and ill-equipped social engineer, a stay-at-home dad in a stay-at-home mom world.

Probably just the nerves talking to me this morning. Securing my son's social life is a big obligation, one that will no doubt work itself out. The sooner the better, though. The sooner the better.

UPDATE, later that same morning: Well, early morning fears have given way to the reality that homeschool learning is the best kind for Jordan right now, at least as long as we can actualize the social aspects of life later in the week and weekend. Like Jordan, I just want everything to be done right now. I don't like to wait.

I got another hour of sleep after getting my work finished this morning, and Jordan was okay with getting up at 7:45 instead of 7:00. We followed our basic schedule of oats and toast and teeth brushing, and then we did our first 40 minutes of reading lessons in 25 minutes. It's basic stuff, but Jordan had much fun doing the exercises. He's a vocal learner, and a mobile one. Sitting and being quiet are not in his nature. But he was able to do the writing tasks and do them very well. His motor skills are well developed. They only need practice with pencil and paper rather than Xbox controller and video monitor.

After those were finished, we did five minutes of run around the staircase to get our blood moving. My phone's timer is coming in handy for such timing as that, as with the regular lessons, to keep everything within decent parameters. I've got 30-45 minutes of work to do starting around 10 a.m., so during that time, Jordan works on a coloring page, Play-Doh, or some such thing, followed by some Draw Write Now drawing and writing lessons.

All in all, a good start on our transition day. Our Abeka curriculum hasn't arrived yet, but should be here some time next week. Along with the social studies workbook the school let him bring home, we'll have more than enough to keep us busy till then.