Well, hello there! My goodness, it's been exactly a year (almost to the day) since I wrote here last with a 'goodbye for now' post. And of course, so much has changed in one year's time - the expected changes of growing children and all of that (really, truly, so much growth in one year happens doesn't it?). But oh, the changes in this past month! Or has it just been a couple of weeks? Days? It's so hard to tell and I've lost count - the days are long right now (and sleepless nights make them feel longer). Anyway...I've heard from a few of you in the recent week or so, and I've been thinking about you all so much during these wild days, missing our connection and the space in which we shared so much at-home time and ideas. And I don't know what I'm doing here or how often I'll be able to show up, except to say that I've found myself drawn to this space for quite a few days now. I spent a couple of days trying to remember my password (ha!) followed by another day of trying to remember how to do a simple blog post (oh how quickly we forget what was once such a daily habit!). I really just wanted to say hello and let you know that I'm thinking about you and hoping all are well during this hard time.
And, also. May I be so bold, ahem, after all these years to offer up a little homeschooling advice to those who find themselves, suddenly, without a choice, doing just that? Here goes: Don't worry about it so much. Take that beautiful curriculum that your children's dedicated teachers so lovingly put together, find the things that resonate most with you and most fit in your days right now with your children, and leave the rest. There, I said it (and I really mean it). If 15-minute incremental schedules and color-coded calendars work well for you and yours, then oh my goodness, DO IT! But if it doesn't? And if you're juggling multiple children suddenly at home, or working from home yourself, or worrying about sick loved ones, or wondering how you're going to get through this financially? Please, please, please go easy on yourselves. Take that vision of idyllic homeschooling life that's giving you a tightness in your chest, and let.it.go. These are such new times, and there is so much anxiety, fear and stress all around us - I really believe that the best thing we can give our children (and therefore ourselves) right now is a sense of peace and safety. Teach them how to cook. Let them linger in books. Embrace boredom. Just be together.
Geez, after all those years of homeschooling questions I never answered and here I am, one year after saying nothing, just showing up and doling out unasked for advice? The nerve, right?
But I really do mean it, and that's exactly what I wanted to say to you all right now - and to my dear sisters and my friends whom I'm watching try to figure all of this out. Be gentle and kind with yourselves right now. That might be the most important thing our children can learn from us right now.
And here's a funny (beautiful) thing about blogging, or more accurately, writing in general for me. It's both a reflection of what actually is, and an intention of how I want things to be, which inevitably translates into reality once the intention is set. Does that make sense? I'm not explaining it well. Except to say that after this long day of bouncing around between practicing the 11 times table with Ani (seriously, you guys, that shouldn't be a hard one for me to do, right?); struggling with understanding Harper's botany lesson; making sure Ada shows up for her advisory meeting online (she didn't); ensuring that Ezra is awake in time for his first class of the day (that didn't happen); reminding Calvin that we really do have to stay at home, even though this is SO much different, I know, than the college freedom he had just two weeks ago; fretting about Steve who is still going to work (his job being deemed "essential"); biting my nails in Quickbooks wondering how my small business will survive this economic storm; and worrying about my immunocompromised parents; and so much more.........after a day like that, a day which I know reflects so many of your own days right now.....I am going to turn it all off for the evening and gather my people around the fire with some guitars, some knitting, and a whole lot of gratitude. (Whether they want to or not. It's all a matter of perspective.)
Sending loads of healthy wishes, love, and patience to you all in these times!
