Every autumn I get caught short. The wind picks up, the leaves fall and there are huge puddles begging to be  jumped in. My problem is that last year's wellies are now too small for the kids and I've not got round to buying new ones. SO, the kids go jumping and sploshing in their trainers. Inevitably I find myself on my knees with a scrubbing brush trying to bring their trainers back to their former glory (ahem). It happens every year. (Note to self: BUY WELLIES)

There I was, mid-scrub of a resistant pink trainer that refused to return to anything resembling  Strawberry Shortcake footwear, and I realised something...Better to be muddy and knee deep in your kid's world, than to avoid puddles and tip toe around the edge. Homeschooling is a rocky, muddy, glorious, magical affair. One things for sure, it's not  half measures .

Outsourcing  parenthood by simply shipping them off to the local learning insitution each day, is a less messy way of doing life. Others get to deal with the 9-3 mess. That's the bulk of the day's messy parenting out of the way. All that's left  is to deal with  any fall out from the child's experiences of the day, and a couple of snatched hours before bed.  Hands-off parenting is presented as giving children 'independence'. True independence is actually gained when  a child is well rooted in family, secure in self belief and equipped and mature to succeed in the adult world. Hands-off parenting actually stunts the growth of a child's self belief and character.

Do you know what? I want to be knee deep in the adventure that is raising my kids. Not a token gesture, neat little slot at the end of each day. I homeschool not just for education reasons, but also for he delight of building character and family. Sure it can be messy, and I keep forgetting to buy wellies. Yet, this rocky journey is the time of my life. Don't give up friend!

Jane

ps I have the Winter issue of The Old Schoolhouse magazine. Boy is it good. Check out their website www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com 

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Posted by jannaod

I did laugh at the wellies dilemma. Homeschool is messy but so is love and with the mess is the joy!
You made me remember a time when my boys were little and I was pregnant with my oldest daughter. We were at the bookstore when it started to really rain. With my usual less-than-girl-scout preparedness, I had forgotten an umbrella. It was spring in Texas so the rain was warm and so was the day. We went to wait under the awning when my oldest said, "can we jump in the puddles?" My first instinct was to say "no" but then I realized that jumping in puddles is a joy of childhood. I said yes as long as they stayed near me and away from the street. SO there I was heavily pregnant watching just under the awning while my two preschool boys were leaping from one mudpuddle to the other, giggling madly. It was a messy and completely joyful moment. If you miss the mess you miss the joy too, don't you

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Posted by Anonymous

HI,
Briana in Oregon here and this is 100% right on. Great blog and I love your convictions.

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