It all began in 2004, with my oldest son, Dylan. I vividly remember letting him wear his pajamas those first days of homeschool. I had no clue what I was doing, but knew this is what I was supposed to do. I purchased curriculum and our journey began. I was working for a staging and set design company at the same time I started homeschooling. Thankfully, I worked for myself and could set my own hours. My in-laws watched Dylan on my work days. It was kind of crazy to juggle both at first, but kindergarten is a bit more low key than say, high school. So, it was doable.
Dylan and I were learning together. He was learning reading, writing, and arithmetic. I was learning his strengths and weaknesses (and mine), and where to encourage him, and where to give him breaks and fun. We’d have recess at home, and play classic games like red light, green light. We joined our first homeschool co-op where Dylan started taking some classes, and going on field trips, and making new friends.
Halfway through kindergarten I got pregnant with Joshua. Morning sickness was my BFF all day long for months. Homeschool and work continued. The juggling act got a bit more complicated, but I pressed on like so many other moms. Before long I was hauling a new born to classes and homeschool events for Dylan. I’m an amateur in the homeschool world with only two children. There are some very large homeschool families with eight to ten kids and more. My hats off to those amazing moms.
We had a few years with no homeschool as Dylan went to a public charter school for third through sixth grade. The timing was perfect and the school was nice and small. I still had Josh with me while Dylan was in school. Then Dylan came back home for school in the seventh grade and Josh went to the same public charter school for kindergarten and first grade. I always had a child at home with me over the past twenty year homeschool journey.
Fast forward to today. Joshua just graduated from high school. And yes, he was homeschooled. There are graduations for homeschool kids. Joshua was part of a little school where he took classes and that’s where he had his ceremony. Here I sit. The dust is settling after our homeschool experience that started two decades ago. The remaining curriculum is either being sold or donated. Joshua starts college in August and this mama is done.
As I look back on my homeschooling years I am grateful. It was a blessing being able to be home with my children. We sacrificed to make that a priority. It is the grace of God that carried us through. There were hard days when I said “I can’t do it, Lord. It’s too hard.” It was very difficult for Joshua to go from traditional school to homeschool. He looked at me like I was crazy, and maybe I was. The crazy choice to homeschool gave us the chance to set our own schedule, and do things like take the boys on an annual camping trip right when school started for public school kids.
We homeschooled because we knew this is what God wanted us to do. This is what kept me going on the hard days. But there were so many good days, and good times that made it all worth it. The family dynamic changed. We grew closer because we had to rely on each other. And yes, my husband Tom helped too. I could not have gotten through math and science without him. It was all of us working together. We met so many awesome families along the way. And we had so many fantastic experiences with co-ops, classes, sports, music lessons, and everything in between that contributed to my boys learning.
I am not an expert on homeschool. I don’t think I was that good at it, but I see the fruit in my kids. There are some super star homeschool moms out there, that was not me. Although, when Joshua was in elementary school, he would say, “Mom, you’re the best teacher,” which is so sweet and not true. I pray that my obedience to the Lord will continue to bless my kids. We have so many good memories.
It’s time to close the books on this chapter of my life. I loved it all. What a wonderful adventure our family experienced. Thank you, Lord! It’s all Him. I’m ready for the next chapter, the next adventure. I don’t know what that is yet, but He’ll show me.
To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Love you all,
Meghan
photo credit: Meghan E. White
Meghan E White 