BACK TO SCHOOL FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME
Well, it is that time of the year again: cooler days are in the air and it is time to go back to school. But for our little family, we are going back to school for the very first time.
I have five kids altogether, and only one is still young enough to live at home with me. The rest are off to college and living their own wonderful lives. I have spent many years homeschooling my kids and absolutely loving it. I will always treasure the time I have been privileged to spend with them. It has definitely been a treat to be with them for their milestones, their laughter and their tears.
But times they are a’changin’!
This year my 14 year old daughter is heading out to school for the very first time.
High school!
She will be loading up her backpack and I will be dropping her off, and life will be different than it has ever been for us. We are both definitely ready, but there is a tiny ache in my heart that longs to keep things as they are.
Isn’t that the way it is with all change? Even though it is good, and you know it will work better, there is still a part of your heart that hangs on to keeping things as they are. Even if those things aren’t working all that great. Homeschooling just isn’t in the picture anymore since I am working, and we don’t have the same homeschool support around us like we did in previous years. If I kept it up, it would be just my girl and me at home together all day long. And that’s not a workable picture for this time in life.
So, back to school for the very first time is where we are headed.
And I am so glad she is feeling brave. And even though I am feeling brave I know I am gonna pull away from the drop-off spot and come home and cry a few (or more) tears. A very special part of my life and my kid’s lives is officially over. We will most likely not be returning to the way things were.
And I think it’s gonna be great.
Once my heart says it’s OK to let go….
(((hugs))) mama! Last year was the first time any of my children have ever gone to not-homeschool. My second son braved 9th grade while I had our 1.5yo, 3yo, and 11th grader at home. He is back to homeschooling this year, but it was a great learning experience for the both of us. He made some great friends, gained confidence, got a dose of so many different teacher and student personalities (both the good and the so-terrible-can-i-please-punch-them variety)… Praying for you both as you begin this new season!
Hi Marsha!
Thank you for the prayers! I am looking forward to some confidence building in my girl, and some new friends. I am sure she will have a good time!
I hope you have a great school year too!
Randi 🙂
Hugs to you. I had a professor in college who started his freshman Bible and Culture class every year with the statement “All beginnings are hard.” I have gone back to that statement over and over and over again throughout the years since I first heard him say that. It is SO true. The beginning of anything is hard. No matter if it is big or little. Perseverance, however, pays off and things tend to get less hard as you become more familiar. Hang in there, sweetie. Prayers and thoughts for you today.
Great quote (I am writing it down in my journal) and perfect encouragement!
Thanks a bunch, Linda!
Randi xoxo
I hope you and your daughter have a great ‘back to school’ experience, it may be a bit hard as it seems to be the end of an era but every life change use to bring us something wonderful.
Thank you for the encouragement, Esther!
Randi xoxo
Hi Randi! Change is so hard. I understand about the tears coming. I will be doing a bit of that myself in a couple weeks.Our school year will be starting off with a daughter getting married on Sept. 10th and moving to VA. My youngest will be starting her senior year of high school. She will attend a homeschool co-op where I will teach sewing classes and then an Arts school one day a week for drama and music. She is so excited but quite honestly after doing this for 27 years, I wish I was done. We will be doing two classes at home together which will be hard because I work 25 hours a week.
I am sure you and your sweet daughter will do just fine. I can’t believe how time has flown. When I first found you, I think she was 5! Where are you working Randi?
We have known each for a long time!
I am working at home and trying to keep it that way. It works well with school schedules and all of that fun stuff.
I wish you the best with wedding plans and your daughter moving. It’s hard, but you will build a new relationship together. My daughter lives in Indiana and we talk a couple of times a week. I also bug her with texts regularly! 🙂
Have a great day!
Randi