What a difficult, life changing thing to say out loud...I'm done homeschooling both of my children. We have a 22 year old and a 17 year old now. We began homeschooling when they were 5 and 10 years old. 12 years together.
I feel it so deeply - great happiness but also a moment of grief- just a moment, that it is over, that this stage is over. But then it passes because it brings me to tears of great happiness when I think of their childhood, of our adventures, of our bond we grew together - - Such joy. Such immense and intense joy in being their mother and being so deeply there for their entire childhood. There has been no greater blessing. If I could do anything differently....I wouldn't. Sure yes, there's been difficult times, hard times, trying times- but most of the time - it was magical.
Magical beyond words - seeing them grow and develop into the people they are. Magical times traveling, exploring, diving deep into their interests. Magical truly learning who they are, what they enjoy, listening to them speak about their passions, and conversing deeply with them. Living, schooling, learning with such freedom. We leaned in with our whole hearts into unschooling and child-led learning although we did keep basics such as math as a staple - otherwise it was up to them as to what they wanted to learn. I suggested, supported, helped, guided along the way but they were the leaders. We had mutual respect and open talks and communication through these years which has only grown our bonds stronger.
Being done with this stage-phase-time in our life has really brought about reflection. Life is not just meant to be gotten through to get from one point to another. Our society is the society of hurry, rush, of busyness - but if we live slower, take our time, be present- that's when we find true living is done. And I am so blessed that we spent these years of their childhood truly living and being present in life with our children, with our family. If we live only thinking of the future or stating that "when this happens then I'll be able to do this", then I'll finally relax, or I'll finally go out, or then I'll be happy, or then I'll be able to LIVE- then we aren't TRULY living. Yes let's keep our eye on the future, let us plan, let us dream, but let us keep our feet firmly planted in the present as well - so that we can BE present, and truly live a quality life, an intentional life, a life with meaning and with love. Because at the end of our lives...we want to look back and see a life we LIVED and see a life full of LOVE. See a life we were truly present in.
The beginning of it all...at 5 and 10 years old....
And now we're done....
Blessed beyond words. Thankful and grateful. Joy, happiness and love. Life is amazing and and as we pass through one stage to the next we go forward with the same intention of living each day fully, being present, and making family always our priority- our relationships with each other, our relationship with God - nothing is more important first then Faith and Family.
