As we near the end of another academic year and my middle son’s impending graduation, I’m struck by the speed at which time has passed. It seems we started this family-learning journey just yesterday, yet it has been almost 10 years since we began. After moving our family 3 times, a plethora of career changes and many curricula switches, much of our homeschool past has faded into the recesses of my memory. But I haven’t forgotten everything.
I still remember how scary the word ‘homeschool’ once was.
I still remember the looks my teaching colleagues gave me when I said we were taking our kids out of public school.
I still remember not knowing what to do first. Or second. Or at all.
I still remember my timid entrance into the first co-op, surrounded by well-meaning but slightly confused moms trying to figure out what I was doing there without my wife.
I still remember the weeks that I was sure the kids were learning absolutely nothing.
I still remember my wife and I debating if we had made a mistake.
However, I also remember how our children found their stride.
I remember how they grew in confidence and in their ability to overcome challenges.
I remember lots of laughter. Lots of time to enjoy our children. Lots of unexpected joy.
And I can’t forget to remember, now that we’re nearing the end. Because that memory is what makes the next chapter of our family-learning so exciting.
I can’t wait to see what I’ll have to remember to remember next.
Leave a Reply