This thing happened today. Dare I say, a magical thing.
Let us, first, remember that I am a mother of four children. Not a ton. But plenty to keep up with. I often call myself a “reluctant homeschooler”, like many other women out there who have found themselves in such a situation as myself. We're on year five of homeschooling so it's not like we're “new to this”. Five years ago my husband left his job as a school teacher at a private Christian school to pursue our farm and work here on the blog full time. That was the right decision for our family (and hey, I certainly didn't mind having him by my side as we navigated the last five years of having small children which was simultaneously beautiful and also the hardest thing I’ve done ever).
That time was a whirlwind. A tornado of child bearing, nursing, discipline, decision making, goal setting, and trail blazing.
But we're not there anymore.
We've now found ourselves in a new tornado now of algebra, literature, latin, and multiplication tables. And here we are. As I’m sure many of you are as well.
At the end of last year, a group of like minded families in our community decided to pull together. We're certainly not alone as homeschoolers and happen to be surrounded by a fantastic group of families that are way more talented than I when it comes to teaching. (Ah, let’s be honest. It doesn’t take that much to surpass me. Hey kids! Anyone want to do a class on food photography? No? Bummer. That’s all I’ve got.).
But, again, back to my point: this thing happened today.
I’ll spare you the details, but the result of this collaboration means my children now “go to school” with these other families two days a week. 8:30-2:30. Stuart teaches classes to some of the other students while our children are simultaneously taught by other parents. Some teach history. Some grammar. Some literature. Some science. Some Latin. Some math. Some art.
I tell you this, dear reader, because for the first time in my entire life today I marched all of my children out of the door – spit shined (or at least as much as a farm kid can be spit shined…. there’s a 100% chance someone had chicken poop on their shoes) – for their first day of class.
And then they were gone. Each to their prospective classroom with other children and other teachers. Away from the home. All of them at the same time.
Now, I tell you this to tell you what it was that actually happened today.
I WAS HOME ALONE. FOR FIVE HOURS.
I. WAS. HOME. ALONE.
Do you know when the last time I was home alone for five hours?
The answer is never.
I’d say it was bittersweet, but it wasn’t. I didn’t lament their absence like a proper Mom probably would have. Rather, I cracked a sparkling water and dove head first into testing and developing Cooking Community recipes for October the entire time they were gone. What clarity! What quiet! What space! What’s this running through my mind? A thought? A complete thought? Have mercy!
I barely even looked up from my work until I heard the large diesel pickup truck pull into the driveway, bringing with it a gang of tattered looking, rosy cheeked children (and an equally exhausted looking Stuart) with heavy backpacks and empty lunch bags.
It filled my heart to hear their chatters and stories.
School for us now is a hybrid. Three days at home. Two days at “school”.
I, like so many of you, am holding on for the ride, staying open to change and new possibilities, and wanting more than ever to fill my children’s hearts and brains what what is GOOD, TRUE, and BEAUTIFUL.
But I just needed to share with you that it was exciting. For all Elliotts involved.
Also, October’s Cooking Community recipes are shaping up to be quite fabulous if I do say so myself. I’ll give credit to the thing that happened today.
Mama was alone.
ALONE.
And THAT was the magical thing that happened today.
The end.
I’m so happy for you. 🙂 I’ve experienced that as well. My kids are 19 and 21 now, so they take themselves away, but it’s still a new and interesting experience.
Hey! I’ve been following your YouTube channel for a while now and finding inspiration. In March 2020 (yup, that month) we moved from our small downtown Toronto apartment with a 6 month old to a smaller city closer to family. And now we have a big back yard and a home to make our own – which I’ve immediately crammed with the most plants I could possibly grow in the space. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for the inspiration! I’ve always daydreamed about a homestead life, and I’m creating my own little version in our 1/3 acre. And that day sounds positively divine to this pregnant toddler mom. . . I can only imagine what a WHOLE DAY alone would be. . . alas, it’ll be a while before I get there. Enjoy your new routine!
I am so hoping to find something similar to this when we move to Raleigh this winter. I hope it goes well for the kids, Stu, and other parties this year, I know you will enjoy the quiet creativity you will get to experience through their absence. So happy to see you writing again, my friend!
Alone, sounds like a day spilled out as full of life! A cup overfull with blessings spilling out to community… What a cup to behold! As a grandmother for me these days… Doing the homemakerChic in GrannyStyle I’m thankful for all you do, cause it’s spilled over in my life! Alone….💃
So happy for you! Hope it works out for everyone. There is nothing like having some time to yourself. Now you will have to figure out something for Stewart, so he can have some time for himself as well. Also wanted to let you know, I enjoy your you tube channel and pod cast. God bless
My girls went to a brick and mortar hybrid “ university model school” after each of them finished 5th grade. It’s a wonderful blend. I know your are enjoying that alone time! Eat it up girl!
I’d love to hear the details on how you made this happen! Would love to do something similar!
Ditto!
Bravo! Felizedades!!! Incredible, so very happy for you all. We too homeschooled and homesteaded. We also formed a co-op, that reached 100 families at one point, and it was lovely. Shared knowledge, shared joy, shared burden. Our littles are now 27 and 22 and they both look back at that time as one of the happiest of their childhood. Friendships made which they still enjoy today. 🙏
Way to go mamma! No guilt to entertain in this season that looks and feels different. Enjoy! I homeschooled out daughter for one year in this hybrid way and it worked well. She and I learned a lot. We treasure our year of homeschooling. Often looking to memories of cooking and quilting together. When things get tough kids remember your love and sacrifice. Blessings
Monica
This is the first blog post I’ve read but I’ve been following along on YouTube and Instagram for a while now. It makes me so happy to see someone else forging toward what I want for myself one day. My husband and I have no kids (yet) but have decided that home schooling will be part of our future. I’ve always wondered how you find communities such as this. If you’d be willing to share, I’d love to know more about this part of your journey so that we may take some of that advice and apply it wherever we land in a few years. Thanks!
What a blessing to have some moments to refresh. I currently am a mom of 4 ages 6,4,2, and 4 months with my 4 month old having tummy troubles. The Lord has been using what feels like a jack hammer to sanctify me in these days. I know these moments don’t last so I try to remind myself of that and I find myself saddened that I am frustrated so often because the moments don’t last. I know I should be cherishing them More than I do rather than urging them to be on their way. Thank God for His mercy and grace to walk me through this conundrum I find myself deeply embedded in. May the Lord cause us to depend on him for our every breath that we may glorify Him in being the mothers He has called us to be. Grace and peace. ❤️
So glad you found/formed a co-op. It can be SUCH a relief! We were so fortunate to find one in our area that was secular and had a paid option. Many of the ones near us our Christian based (which is great for Christians!) and required the parent teach or participate. Both my husband and I work full time (I work from home, yay!) so it wasn’t possible for us to volunteer or time (or skills, although I’m not sure we have any particular core curriculum skills to offer). Luckily (I say luckily, but realistically through hours of research and scouring the internet and just sheer luck of stumbling upon it) we found a secular group within 2 miles of our home, that I never knew existed! It has paid options (drop and go if you will) or the option to participate/volunteer to reduce tuition costs. He’s there 3 days a week (with Forest school on Fridays, which is SO SO cool!) and home with me the other two days. Our homeschooling is accomplished partially in the afternoons for self led work and in the evenings after dinner for the remaining instruction. It’s worked really well to maintain the balance (and sanity) we were after. So glad you’ve found your balance as well.
Bravo to FIVE hours on your own!! You’ve earned it, sister! What an absolute blessing!!
Here’s to many days of creative space and time TO REST!!
xoxo
I remember those days when I was alone. It was amazing what I could get accomplished–or I could just rest for a while. Then when they came home, I was so happy to see them.
Great article:) I taught art for 20 years and the last 3 were at a homeschool partnership. It was a lot of fun. But I am retired now and take care of our small farm and watch my grandchildren……which I just love. My children are going to homeschool their children and enroll them in some of the partnership classes (except for art of course….lol)