Here we go again...

Hard to believe how far we've come (or fallen) within the last year. This time last year we were joyously preparing to send all of our children off into the world: one to serve in the military, one off to boarding school for her senior year, our four youngest into the grades at home in our local school, and our newest baby. See, that last little bit...four youngest into the grades at our local school. Yeah, that part. That's the part I'm going to dive into a bit today. You see, last years decision to send all the children to school was a momentous occasion for me. For the first time in 20 years I hadn't any children at home. I was on my own schedule, I deep cleaned, napped (was very pregnant), watched my own shows on TV (again, very pregnant), came and went with no hesitation, I had six hours to myself every, single day. It was wonderful and horrible at the same time. It went slow and fast. It went...

Then March 2020. We all remember clearly how the world changed back in March. The children all came home, and the irony wasn't lost on me how I had finally come to find some peace in no longer homeschooling my children, only to BE HOMESCHOOLING MY CHILDREN AGAIN!!!!

I've been attempting to rediscover the peace I had when we sent the children back to school and now finding them back home for the next school year. For our family culture, for health reasons, both physical and emotional, we've opted to be all in and back on the homeschool train. While I absolutely adore the teachers and their efforts for creating engaging and thoughtful learning online, that option didn't feel fulfilling for my children (or me, really). We go to great lengths to limit their exposure to devices that it seems counterproductive to have school be in a computer. And I 100% support those that this works for...it just doesn't work for us. So I've had to dig back into the way back machine and remember " how does one create learning at home? " Life in general is a learning experience. We learn from the moment our eyes open until they close again at night. Every waking breath is riddled with teaching moments, from social engagement with siblings, to fixing the hole in the wall, to tending a boo-boo, to get a stain out of clothes, and on and on and on. Of course I feel pressure knowing that should the children return to school next year, or whenever, that they'll go further if they maintain their comprehension levels in certain areas. This is where my research goes. This is where my intuition flows and, thankfully, I have yet to let my kids down, and I think we're all a little excited!

Is there anyone more hopeful than a parent preparing for the upcoming homeschool year?

You see, the thing is this. Kids are RESILIENT. If you give them love, food, water, and shelter, they will THRIVE!!! Happiness stems from love shared, in all it's forms. I know my kids will be alright, and I recognize my unique privilege that allows me to have this comfort. In the end, I hope to offer my children back to the world more whole and filled to the brim. I know there are a lot of parents out there fretting and pulling their hair out. Which way do they turn? Homeschool? Online? In person? I echo the sentiment that we must support and celebrate every parent who chooses whatever option is best for their family. Only they know. Only they know. No ONE way is the right way. They're ALL the right way. I'm just grateful there are so many right ways for parents to find the piece that fits their puzzle. 

Whatever it is you've chosen for your family: WELL DONE! It wasn't an easy choice, I know that first hand. Sacrifices will be made no matter which option we choose. But we're not sacrificing the love that is evident in the choosing. Because that is what is at the heart of all the decisions we make regarding our children. Love is what motivates us to know and then act accordingly. And NO WAY is more or less loving than another. So, good on ya, Mom and Dad, for loving your children so well that you'll do that hard thing, whatever that hard thing is. Continue to wrap your babes in the love that is holding this all together and celebrate that! 

The thing is, we can do this. You are the most perfect teacher for your children. I am the most perfect teacher for my children, even my special needs kiddo. I can do OT at home without being a certified occupational therapist. I can do social work with my kiddo and not have an MSW. I can support their learning with my own two hands. It just requires that I maintain my presence, and keep my wits and humor about me, trust the process, and do the hard thing, and eventually, that hard thing isn't so hard anymore. 

One last thing I'd like to offer: while this isn't how we intended this life to be....maybe it's how it's supposed to be. We can't know what bigger things are at work here. We can't see the inner workings of the divine, or whatever it is you hold close to your heart. A lot of us our turning to the past for answers, history repeats itself and all. And in that we're being reminded of what family looked like " back then". Remove whatever road blocks are in your way. What has taken your sight from what truly matters? What has inserted itself into your family culture that makes it feel disjointed and unsteady? What can you do to steady the ship? Regardless of how your children will learn school type stuff this year, how can you look to the past for answers to some questions you might be holding? I can't pretend to know what those questions might be, and I don't know what your life is like...but what I hope for all of us is that we come out of this with stronger family bonds, more love in our hearts, and a rainbow at the end of the storm. 

May you be a blessing...and be blessed.

Until next time,

~ M