I was one of the Moms who crossed off the dates in her planner for how many days were left in the school year until my kids didn’t race out of the door in the morning.
Lamented the end of Summer since my kids would once again be gone for hours and hours on end.
And the volunteering … room mom, PTA, fundraising, auctions, fashion shows, crafts, parties, even teaching Sunday school. Volunteering at their school did not bring more joy to my children, they just saw a cranky Mom who was overwhelmed with commitments.
Now, believe me, there are days, many of them, where life still is crazed. (and cocktail hour arrives sooner rather than later) For the most part, life is filled with plans and activities of our own choosing.
The girls take some classes out and about, they have social lives, and we travel as often as we can. For example; If Dad is hosting a meeting at the Newark airport, it is not on our wishlist. A beach resort in Mexico, on the other hand, has our names on it. My time is also busy with My Blog and its deadlines, guest posts, writing commitments, and conferences … but this busy is rather self-imposed. After all, the world would hardly notice if I stepped off this somewhat indulgent ‘treadmill’.
Thank you so much for having me as you r guest today. I love stopping by here and seeing all the wonderful things you create for your little man – he is one lucky little boy having such hands on Mom.
I just know that I see a book in your future!
Seriously reading Nic here in your space is like a SPECIAL DAY…because both of you exude such passion and love for life . Those moments we pause, those times we can truly stop and take it all in are what makes life miraculous.
Nicole your words never cease to move me and motivate me to get off my butt and DO SOMETHING…you make me want to be BETTER..truly. Can’t wait to hug you!!!!!
Thanks for sharing all these MOMENTS with us!
Oh sweet and lovely friend, your words are always like music to my ears! I try and figure it out, it doesn’t always work and there can be hard days – like today … where a friend is no longer a friend and my heart breaks for one of my children. But we regroup and move on, and learn life lessons. We are there for the hugs, but really, its more of the them hugging us, more than us hugging them – that is what I live for 😉
I always love reading your story of how you became a homeschool mom. Having gone through some issues when it comes to schooling my kids I enjoy seeing your perspective and helping me understand homeschooling better. 🙂
Hi there new friend … look forward to seeing you next week and getting to know you better. Funny little world this blogging one, that brings people together – how blessed we are 🙂
You sure do seem to have it all figured out! I’m glad you went with your gut and pulled the kids out to do your own thing. Go you!
Oh sweetness, far from figuring it all out, so very far … and when i think i have one thing going well, something tanks in another direction. God has a way with keeping me on my toes and somedays on my knees 😉
Nicole, the more I read your posts and your experience with homeschooling the more I’m inspiration to walk a similar path. I have some time to make a decision but it is truly because of woman like you and Deirdre that homeschool is a real option for us.
I love that quote. Nicole’s blog posts are always wonderful. This one is not an exception. It feels so good to let go of traditional schooling. That freedom of schedule you’ve described so well is by far my favorite pro!
“they just saw a cranky Mom who was overwhelmed with commitments.” That line really hit me. I’m going to go tear my to-do list in half right now, and then flip a coin to decide which half to throw away. 🙂 As always, thank you for your inspiring words, Nicole!
I love learning how you became a homeschool mom. I wish my kids would be game for that..would love to explore life with them for the last few years of school before they are off in the big world.
Although it will not happen for us, your words insprire me to be as present as I possibly can with the time I have left!
xoxo
I loved this post – this slice of your past that brought you to where/who/how you are now.
Transparent and authentic, as always!
Nicole, I wish so much I could sit down and talk with you about this in depth. As a public school teacher (now on leave) it never occurred to me to homeschool my kids; and they always loved school.
Until they didn’t.
Now, my son is poised to begin high school, my daughter the last year of middle school. They are bogged down with literally hours of homework each night – some of which I consider laborious for the sake of it, not for any real purpose.
However, I worry that they wouldn’t get everything they need from a formal curriculum if I had them home. I do. Clearly your kids are thriving, however.
And I know plenty of homeschooled kids are getting into great colleges.
Anyway, thanks for the food for thought. Someday, we shall speak in person.
And I will be smiling…
I love the decision that Nicole made for her family and she has been a great mentor for me in my decision to homeschool.
I just don’t know if I could do it- but do awesome you did what was right for your family and your girls. And how awesome that they get to travel and see so much.
Nicole, after reading that beautifully written post, all I’d like to say is, YOU DO MATTER. People are listening and I can’t wait to check out your blog. x
you’ll be happy to know – although I don’t live down under – I did just get myself a wheat grinder & I’ve always wanted chickens 😉 we love homeschooling on the Gulf coast of Florida!!!
Crap, I should have saved my comment on this post from your blog. Doh!
But I read it again and it is so thought provoking.
Love it.