I have this weird, bittersweet thing going on about my kids going back to school on Monday.
Hear me out on this—I love my children. Fiercely.
But it’s true that I need me a little space. School provides that space and I think I’m probably a better mother because of it.
Let there be spaces in your togetherness. (A little Khalil Gibran reference for you. Brilliant words.)
However, I have to come clean with you today: after the past two weeks, I get the whole home-schooling thing.
I was much less stressed out. I got way more rest. And we created wonderful memories as a family.
We swam at a swanky hotel in Chicago where we pulled up to the valet in a trashed minivan and carried a garbage bag of blankets and pillows we HAD to take with us. Using a gift card that was three years old, we giggled over our misplacement among fur coats and proper etiquette. I’m pretty sure my youngest yelled “POOP!” in the lobby at one point but I don’t know because I’ve repressed it.
I marveled at the growth of my oldest baby, born almost eight years ago and becoming such a . . . person. I’m no longer just her caregiver—ours has blossomed into a mutual relationship as I realize not only do I really love her but I also really like her. A lot.
We were mesmerized by jellyfish at the Shedd Aquarium . . .
We met new friends with questionable exteriors . . .
We made snow angels followed by hot chocolate. I might have made a snow angel over the top of dog poop. Glamour, people. Glamour.
And we dealt with a dog that is getting sassier and sassier as she ages further into her golden years.
No, I didn’t have to do any schooling so I realize these past two weeks haven’t been a complete picture of what it would be like to home-school and no, I still don’t want to home-school.
But I finally get the attraction.
What about you, friends? What have you enjoyed during this holiday season?
Joining in with a new link-up I discovered just last night at “Homegrown Learners” . . .
I felt the same way sending my kindergartner back yesterday and even found myself crying just like I had when she first started school! It was so nice to have all of my kids home ( I also have a 4 year and 7 month old) and just be together. It made me want the time back before preschool and kindergarten. There was no rushing around in the morning or waking the sleeping baby to go back in the carseat to pick up her brother or sister. I actually half-jokingly asked my husband several times over break if we could homeschool the kids! I also posed the question to my 4 and 5 year old but they immediately refused because they “love school”. It’s a blessing and I’m so glad they love getting up and going everyday. I guess I’m the one who needs to get on board!
Huge blessings abound – the fact that they love school is wonderful!
I TOTALLY hear what you mean – the part I dislike the very most about sending my child to school is the rushing. I love the school where she is so I find it to be worth it, but we have to be across town by 8 a.m. each morning and I have three children to get ready. I’m with you – I need to get on board and get over it but it sure has been nice to not be so rushed all of the time!
Thanks for visiting – so great to “meet” you here today!
Natalie — thanks for your honesty.
As a former public school parent (and teacher for many years) I see both sides of the coin. There are days when I still miss all of that “me time” I had when my kids were in school. I am realizing, however, that this lifestyle is a calling for our family, and the me time comes in the joy I get from being with my children 24/7. (Some days I struggle to find that joy, don’t get me wrong – but it’s that way with anything in life.)
We all make our choices for very personal reasons. I admire yours because you have your children’s best interests at heart.
Thanks for linking up today!
Hi, Mary! I was once a public school teacher too! How fun!
Yes, its a very personal decision and one I don’t judge. I have also learned to never say never because you really don’t know!
Great to “meet” you, Mary!
HA! I adore you — you DID schooling. That’s just it – people put this crazy idea that its reading dictionary and spouting poetry … it’s just loving on them (while you’ve got them – in the difficult and disobedience too), leading them to the cross, and opening their eyes to new things.
you homeschooler you ;)
HA! You are SOOOO right, friend! Do you know I thought of you when I wrote this post and I could feel your bubbly self telling me to GO!
I do get it. I really do. Sarah even asked me if I would consider homeschooling her sometime and for the first time ever, I didn’t try to change the subject.
I just might be someday! Maybe. :)
Love you, girl!
Haha had to read this post…I am currently praying about homeschooling my 4th grader, and whether it would be wise to pull her out mid-year. She has had a very challenging school year–there are a lot of issues that I won’t bother to share in these comments. Let me clarify that I have 2 older children (a college soph and high school junior) and did the homeschool thing briefly 2 other times, but for various reasons did not continue beyond a year. However, we all enjoyed it for the reasons you mentioned.
Here I am, 20 years into parenting, still weighing this option. But for the reasons you mentioned, it would certainly be worth it. She has attended Christian school for her whole career, and continues to hate going to school (not the Christian part). I think it is boredom. She is very creative, and the school is so very repetitive and irrelevant to the rest of her life. Plus we are always rushing, and then, in school, you have to wait for everyone to catch up or be disciplined with those who lack self-control…Meanwhile, I wonder if I will be able to summon the energy, grace and creativity to homeschool for more than a week or two! Hence the prayer…it is going to be a huge transition for both of us, but since I am home (trying to work–haha), I am also available to make the sacrifice. Thanks for sharing today : )
Oh, wow. I hear what you’re saying, Karen. I just prayed for your wisdom and discernment.
Every child is different – what works for one may not work for another. But then, I think you know that. I just wanted to reiterate it. :)
Thanks for visiting – super great to “meet” you here!
I’ll tell you a secret. The longer I do it, the more my schooling looks like this. Slowly, I’m letting go of should…
I’m a happily homeschooling mama, but here’s a secret some homeschoolers won’t admit: it’s not a magic formula for amazing, godly, brilliant kids. Plenty of my friends don’t homeschool and their kids are pretty doggone amazing. It sounds like you are an intentional mama, and that is HUGE!
And the snow angel on top of dog poop thing? I totally laughed about that because I’m sure that would happen here — if we ever actually had snow, that is!
Hey Friend! It’s been a long time since I’ve left you a comment! I had to comment on this one, though, because this whole schooling thing is on my mind quite a bit. There are pros and cons to all three (homeschooling, private schooling, and public schooling). Bottom line, I feel there are very valid and God-led reasons to pick any of the three. I won’t go in to my decisions to choose public school (that’s a whole blog or two or three in and of itself!), but I’m sure you also have wonderful reasons for choosing to send your kids to LCS (actually, I know you do…I remember you “doing your homework” quite well in that area!). I loved reading this post because I, too, have many a moment of feeling the exact same way you feel (especially as my kids get older and schooling is more a part of our daily lives). I LOVE Christmas break, spring break, and summer break). For all the reasons you do. During those times I’ll think “I get it” with homeschooling. At the same time, I remember all the wonderful things that public schooling brings to our lives (scheudles, wonderful teachers, experiences I can never give them, the difficult realities of life, failures, and disappointments) and realize at the core of who I am, I want them them to have all of those things, too…and me and Randy to come home to. I kind of feel like I get the best of both worlds ~ an entire summer (and Christmas break) to ENJOY my kids without the the interuption of school AND all the positives that I believe come with sending my kids to school. Though I wholeheartedly defend and believe in our choice (and feel that is where God has called us and led us), I by no means expect that everyone is called the same way. Ultimately, it’s not the schooling choice that is “magical” in the outcome of our kids (as Jamie above said). I think it has more to do with the family and the parents themselves, no matter what form of schooling they choose (and at the core of that, our trust and reliance on God). Carry on, Friend, in the direction God is leading you and ENJOY and CHERISH those “homeschooling” moments. I, too, will be sad when Monday rolls around. I’ll miss my kiddos and our precious time together. At the same time, I look forward to the schedule and expriences that school brings our way. Thanks for being real and sharing your thoughts!
I home schooled for 20+ years. Our youngest didn’t GO to school until college. They all survived … in spite of my imperfections … but I must confess, not everyone is called to it, and looking back, I’m not 100% sure I was! I guess I must have been but there were days …
LOVE the Kahlil Gibran quote! I always feel a little guilty about finding so much wisdom there. I started really liking him and Sanskrit Poetry (Blue Mountain Arts) when I was in High School. I also considered converting to Islam or Judaism in High School. I wasn’t picky … just mad at God. It’s a wonder I survived myself!
Love you, friend!