Confessions of an Ex-Homeschooling Mom

Is it back-to-school yet?

Summer has had moments of hard, I’m not gonna lie. It has made me wish it was back-to-school already - more than a few times i’ll care to admit.

I’m finalising this newsletter with a lukewarm coffee in hand, a grumbling belly asking to be fed something, and a wandering mind going through it’s to-do-list. Just me?

How did I use to do this 12 months a year without going insane?

A question I’ve asked myself, and one that brought me back to just a few months ago when our lives looked very much different then now. See, my children chose to join their neighbourhood friends to school. After 2 years of homeschooling in the country - on a 8 acres farm - then moving to the city and homeschooling another year here, they wanted to try institutional school. And as parents who encourage our children to have agency over their body and to speak out their needs, we obliged and signed them up. And so for the months of May & June they did just that. They went 3 days a week to an institutional school and loved it.

Enter the plethora of emotions! It wasn’t a decision we took lightly. It wasn’t a personal choice of mine. It wasn’t what I had envisioned for them. I loved our homeschooling life! Like everything else, yes, there were days when it wasn’t easy. There were challenges. There were days I did look up local schools (ha!). But despite it all I really, truly, enjoyed life schooling with my children.

What made it so enjoyable for me/us? Let’s call these #sanitysavers

1. An online community. Especially an option that makes connections accessible. Especially when aligning in-person plans aren’t working out. Feelings of isolation as a homeschooling parent is a real thing without community.

2. In person community. Co-ops, library meet ups, and adventure friends. Again: community!

3. Outdoor spaces with free access. Time spent amongst a canopy of trees will never be wasteful! More on that later.

4. Drop-off programs. Don’t underestimate the power of dropping off your child for a few hours. Yes, you can run errands and get ‘er done; but also, a quiet sit by the water with an ice tea IN SILENCE is worth every penny you invested in tuition fees. Bonus: your children get to live enriching experiences with other humans, leaders, educators that have so many things to offer that you don’t. Our favourites are Forest & Nature Schools, craft clubs, martial arts, swimming lessons, and even science STEM classes. There are many options in the Ottawa region. Some families will even come together with a common interest, reach out to local businesses, and have a local business host a day class for them.

5. Free/by donations offerings and activities. Did you know some museums - like the Glengarry Pioneer Museum- is by donations? Ottawa also has a wonderful community of free forest school play groups who meet up weekly all over Ottawa.

6. Online apps & resources. For example, Carleton University offers affordable online classes through their Virtual Ventures program. They are interactive and super fun, plus you’ll get an hour or two to get stuff done or just give yourself a time-out.

7. Nature, nature, and yes friends: Nature! Whether that’s a paddle on the river; a hike on any one of the many trails near by; time at the park with some watercolours & snacks; or just sitting in our small backyard with a read aloud, time spend outside always helps with our focus, our emotional health, and regulating our system so we are better humans to others & each other.

During the summer months, the out of routine pace - even for homeschoolers - will affect childrens’ moods & behaviours (and frankly ours too). When we homeschooled, I started our new ‘school year’ at the beginning of August. And then we’d take a longer break around the Winter holidays. We did what we wanted and what worked best for our rhythm. As a parent who is waiting for back-to-school, my #sanitysavers options are different.

Homeschooling definitely has it’s perks: The freedom. The sleeping in if we wanted too. Driving hours to an adventure destination even if it would be way pass our bedtime because we knew tomorrow could be slow, different, and catered to us. No daily lunch making. Pijama days on Tuesdays, because why not? And thankfully, we did get to do plenty of that this summer!

But I digress.

Parenting during the summer months is … for lack of better words: Something! Whether you homeschool or not, when August turns to corner, we’re all feeling it, aren’t we?

And so this summer, just when I got down on myself for not fully treasuring each and every one of my summer days with them, I reminded myself how wonderful those Homeschooling days were. How I will truly cherish those moments. That this new chapter of their lives means a new chapter for mine too. One where I get to do ME now and where I get to do what I want to do. And one where I can focus on my ambitions and goals.

Wait, what is this life, y’all?

Truthfully, i’ll never know what the future has in store for me & my sweet family. Homeschooling could become an ‘us’ thing again at some point. My children know they get to choose. We/they are privileged that way. And if it does: i’ll be psyched! And if it does not and this chapter of our lives really is done, then i’ll be able to say that I used this ‘me’ time preciously to go out there and kick ass! My children will be witnessing their Mom also following her body’s needs. And what better modelling than that.

+++++++++++++

Are you a homeschooling parent? If so, what would you add to the lists of sanity savers?

Are you a parent who’s children are off to school soon? If so, what are you most looking forward too?