Learning at Home

This week, our boys will start school. Yet, instead of dropping them off, kissing them goodbye, and wishing them a good day, the boys will be learning at home this year. I have always been intrigued by homeschooling, but our boys have had wonderfully enriching school experiences thus far, so doing school at home did not seem like the right fit for our family. But, in light of the ongoing pandemic and its unknown impact on schools, David and I both came to the decision, almost simultaneously, that now seems like the right time to give homeschooling a try.

The privilege of choice is not lost on me. I have been quieted many times over the past months by the thought that David and I can choose both to home school our boys and decide which curriculum we want to use to teach them. Additionally, our current family/work situation is quite suitable to homeschool life, so it truly makes a lot of sense for our family.

Learning is not a segment of a day or a phase of time, yet I found that over the past few years I have relinquished the education of our boys nearly in full to their school and teachers. I, rightfully, trusted the process and compartmentalized their education- school is the place for formal learning, home is for everything else. The lessons of this season of life are many, and I have gained from these lessons a great deal of perspective. So, this year, my hope is that we all reconnect with each other through learning and that learning becomes a greater part of our family landscape. But, I also hope this year brings intentionality to our family. We talk often about creating family rhythms and dynamics, and my goal is to foster this practice of intentionality as a family team. With each day, I hope we can find the space and patience to read, learn, practice, create, and try over (and over) again, both together and individually.

We begin this homeschooling journey with more questions than answers, more ideals than facts. I am sure we will stumble and question our choice, but the beauty of beginning something new together is that the journey will allow us to grow together. For us, this new school adventure is about more than learning; it’s also for cultivating sibling bonds and relational connection, about enjoying their childhood together this year. And, for leaving time for creativity and hobbies to flourish.

I will be sharing our homeschool journey in this space. As a person who needs time to be alone to refresh my mind and spirit, I hope the blocks of time I find to reflect and write here, will nourish me and help me to be a better teacher, mom, and partner.