A New Adjustment

Meet The Farrells Chapter 6

Homeschooling began the first week in November and the transition was not very easy for Molly to handle. Grace could tell she really missed the social aspects of being in a classroom and this made her feel horrible. She did love having her daughter home though. Her school day was usually over by 1:30 or 2:00 and Grace would help her with her homework while they waited for Annie to get home from school.

Molly knocked on Annie's door a little bit before dinner time on Wednesday night.

"Annie, can we talk?"

"Sure kiddo. What's on your mind?"

"Homeschooling."

"What about it?"

"Well I'm not sure if it's a good idea. I really miss my teacher and my friends."

"Molly, you'll get to see your friends outside of school don't worry and whenever I go over Samantha's house I'll take you with me so you can play with Jamie. Does that sound like a plan?"

Molly nodded. "Thanks Annie."

"Come here kiddo." Annie patted a spot next to her on the bed and Molly immediately hopped up and snuggled into her sisters' side.

"I love you Annie, you're the best big sister ever."

"I love you too Molly. Come on, let's go see if dinner is ready yet."

"Okay." The two girls got up from the bed and headed downstairs.

Annie hoped her sister would get more adjusted to homeschooling. She vowed to spend more time with her practicing her reading until she was comfortable with it. She wanted to be as successful as possible and didn't want her sister to feel like an outcast because of her disability.

After the first week of being homeschooled was complete Grace came into Molly's room to kiss her goodnight on Friday evening.

"Mama, will you lay down with me?"

Grace smiled. "Sure baby girl." She climbed under the covers and Molly snuggled into her side.

"How was the first week of being homeschooled baby girl?" Grace asked her daughter.

Molly looked sad. "Okay I guess. I really miss my friends though."

Grace rubbed Molly's back. "I know you do baby girl but this will be so much better for you over the long term. Depending on your progress you may go back to school sometime in the spring. That should be your goal if you keep working hard."

Molly's face brightened up a bit. "Can I have my friends over for a sleepover for my birthday Mama?"

Grace smiled. "I don't see why not. I'll give Maria Erikson a call and tell her to tell Jamie to spread the word to the rest of your friends."

"I love you Mama." Molly said kissing Grace on the cheek.

"I love you too baby girl." Grace hugged her youngest daughter tightly.

After Grace tucked Molly into bed she called her sister Anna at her dorm room at BU.

Anna was happy to hear her sister's voice. Grace had always been her favorite sister though she'd never admit it to Catherine.

"Hi Gracie! I miss you so much!"

Grace smiled. "I miss you too sweetie. How are your classes?"

"They're going great. I can't wait to see you for Thanksgiving in a few weeks."

"I can't wait to see you either. We'll be at Mom's around 1pm on Thanksgiving Day."

"Mom filled me in on the situation with Molly. How has she been dealing with being homeschooled?"

"I think it will be a rough adjustment for her because she really seems to miss her friends."

"It must be great for you to have her home though so that way you can get to the bottom of why she's been having so much trouble with her reading and writing."

"Definitely! I have actually started to see where she struggles and so has Oliver. We're all going to help her get through this. I am hoping this homeschooling will only be a temporary thing."

"Grace. Mama Cathy and I are all so proud of you for how you've been dealing with this. I really admire you so much for how you're all staring this demon in the face and helping Molly get through this difficult time."

Grace's eyes were growing misty. "Your support has meant everything to all of us. We don't where we'd be without you three and Helen Pugh."

"I love you so much Gracie."

"I love you too my precious Anna. I'll see you in a couple weeks at Thanksgiving."

Grace had one thing to be grateful for this this Thanksgiving and that was having such a supportive family that was really stepping up to help Molly during this difficult time.

Molly's birthday was November 23rd the Saturday before Thanksgiving .. Grace couldn't think of better timing for Molly's party because her sister Jennifer would be flying in from Chicago that Monday. When Molly's friends came over for the party they greeted Molly with warm hugs. "We really miss you in school Molly." Jamie said.

"I miss you guys too. We're going to have a lot of fun tonight." Molly said.

Grace was so happy that Molly had such a great group of friends. She hoped they would continue to remain close throughout the years ahead.

Molly and her friends were in bed by 10:00. After Grace checked on them and made sure they were all sleeping soundly she joined Mrs. Pugh in the kitchen for a cup of tea.

"Molly seems to have such a wonderful group of friends." Mrs. Pugh observed.

"She does. It's certainly something I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving. I hope she'll get to spend more time with them despite the fact that she is homeschooled."

Mrs. Pugh smiled. "That's nothing to worry about sweetheart. Molly will definitely see them outside of school a great deal. I'm sure since you and Maria Erikson are such close friends you'll be able to schedule a lot of play dates."

Grace nodded excitedly. "Definitely. I am so happy to have found a friend in Maria. She and Jamie have been two of the main people outside of our family who have helped Molly with her reading and I am so grateful for that."

"Aside from the social aspect does Molly seem to be adjusting well to being homeschooled?" Mrs. Pugh asked.

"It's been kind of rough for her I think. Do you think she may be able to go back to school in the spring?"

"I wouldn't rush things but we should keep an eye on her improvement and keep Mrs. Richards informed about it as well so that way she can make a decision."

Grace nodded. "Definitely, I will be in touch with Mrs. Richards biweekly to keep her updated on Molly's progress. Perhaps we can even schedule some meeting with her and Ms. Wilson, Molly's homeschool teacher. Molly wants to make it her goal to try to get back in school by mid-March."

"And we'll be with her every step of the way." Mrs. Pugh said.

Grace smiled.

Mrs. Pugh stood up, walked over to Grace and put her arm around her.

"Grace, I'm so proud of you for how've been dealt with this. I know it hasn't been easy for you. Keep encouraging Molly and she'll be on her way in no time to great success. I love you my precious."

Grace kissed Mrs. Pugh on the cheek. "I love you too Helen. Thank you for keeping me grounded throughout the past couple months. I've been feeling so lost and unsure of so many things."