If you're selfish and you know it raise your hand!

School.

It's the new breastfeeding. Everyone has an opinion. And on one end of the spectrum is what's best for the child and on the other is what selfish or uneducated moms do.

I have always made decisions that are on the 'best' spectrum. Breastfeeding, continuing to breastfeed even when I had to eat nothing but rice and fish. Comforting babies when they cry at night (sometime reluctantly I'll admit). Staying home with my kids. Only putting them in a preschool that could offer them something I couldn't. I had it in the bag. Points for awesome mom. Now that school is on the horizon I could focus on me for just a smidge.

Oh no! The best thing for your child? The very best thing? Especially for someone who is training in education. Homeschooling!

I don't know what it's like everywhere else, but Anchorage is all about homeschooling and they do it well. We also have awesome alternative schools, open optional programs, language immersion programs, ABC programs, and traditional classrooms all as part of the Anchorage School District. So I am thrilled to tell you Avalon is going to an amazing child-led education program in a small school with dedicated teachers that also scores super high on their standardized tests. Based on the research I've been doing since I WAS PREGNANT with Avalon, I think this school is great and meets her particular needs.

And soon I can finish my degree.

Win, win!

Except, if done right, homeschooling is the BEST thing for your child. And I've always done the best thing if I knew about it. But I'm not this time. Because I am making a decision based on what's best for me.

Poor Pat was about the 30th person to ask me.

Pat: "You need to talk to the ladies at my work. They want to know why you're not homeschooling."
Me: "Tell them I'm selfish."
Silence...

Yeah, I'm owning it.