It intrigues me how often in the homeschooling world I hear moms rejoice because their 6-year-old is playing with my 6-year-old.  Words like "aren't they getting along great" or "It's so nice to meet someone their own age." 

This concept is amusing enough when viewed daily from our public schooled friends, but sad when it is further confirmed in our own homeschooling world.  What is it about age-to-age that makes mom either worry or breath a sigh of relief.  My suspicion is that it has something to do with that evil nemesis "fitting in"...another enemy in the process of deschooling ourselves. 

I trust you don't run around interviewing potential friends by asking them their age.  If you did, perhaps you might find yourself with very few friends. 

When I was fresh out of the starting gate, this was one of my concerns...will my child make friends?  Now that my children are a little older, I can see the wonders of avoiding ageism at its finest.  My children can carry on a conversation with an adult or spend time with their one-year-old nephew without contemplating the phenomenon of it all.

Isn't it all about commonality from 1-100?  It truly is amazing where commonalities can be found. 

My friend is 40 and I am 33.  When we were in school, I was 5 and she was 12.  Tomorrow I am looking forward to leaping the age hurdle over a cup of tea, and I don't think I will hear my mother tell me how great it is that we're getting along. 

I find myself extremely unbalanced lately in the fight with myself about starting a new career as a medical transcriptionist and time spent away from my children.

As a notorious "yes" person, I tend to cram too much into my day and end up feeling guilty in so many ways...my children aren't well behaved enough for homeschooled kids, the dog hasn't been walked enough, my husband needs more attention, I'm too embarrassed to have friends over as the house is a mess. You see my unbalanced and guilted mind.

My only saving grace is that I have one car. Hard to run from activity to activity when you have to share a vehicle, unless you have a wonderful transit system.

As a "behind the times" or "progressive" (depends on your opinion) woman who believes that raising a family is the ultimate career, I am not enthused about my return to the workplace. On the other side, I really enjoy my work and am able to work from home (something I'm ever appreciative about). Working is still time spent away from my family though.

Can I not work...our roof is badly in need of replacement and due to some bad financial decisions and circumstances beyond our own control, we have accumulated some debt. So no, I cannot afford not to work.

I'm just hoping I can balance the two in such a way that my family life is not compromised.  I'll fill you in and let you know how it goes.

When I die, I want to be more than a woman who kept a clean home.....And from the dog hair in my coffee cup, it appears I'm succeeding!

I had some time to myself this weekend (a rarity) to think and reflect on the subject of socialization.  Now, when I say think and reflect, I sat down and thought about it for 2 minutes or so.  I have mastered the art of speed reflecting...do those 2 terms go together?

With the house peaceful and quiet, I realized that there is another side to socialization.  Something I have never comtemplated before.  If I didn't homeschool, what would I do with myself all day...who would I have tea with?

Yes, I know I could fill my time with hobbies, lunches with friends (of which I am occasionally envious), and (gag) exercise.  =)  But this is so much more fun...I have no idea what the next day will hold.  Will I be laughing because my son mixed sugar and chili powder together to make a topping for toast?  Or will I be thumbing through an art book with my daughter, trying to decide which fairy to draw. 

At this time in my life, I don't want to be on the journey alone.  I want to enjoy my opportunities to live, learn, and laugh, with the people who love me at my best and worst moments. 

The more, the merrier! 

I was sitting here on a rainy Friday afternoon fiddling around on the internet when I came across this blogging website.  What a fabulous opportunity to talk, uninterrupted, about the things I love...my husband, my children, and homeschooling.  =) 

So here goes, I am going to give it a shot and see what creative juices I can start flowing.  =)  Please excuse the grammatical and spelling errors, my brain runs faster than my fingers, so that will happen.  However, I am sure that all kindred spirits will be able to remain on the same page.  =)

Let me introduce myself....I am the mother of 3 and I live in beautiful Mission, British Columbia.  I am a minority in this community, having only 3 children.  Most homeschooling families I know have at least 12 (you'll find exaggeration and a very dry sense of humor are of essence to my blogging). 

Our approach to homeschooling could be called an unschooling, Classical, Charlotte Mason...or just call me eclectic.  It depends what day it is, how much sleep I got the night before, and what time of the month it is. 

I have great homeschooling days and crumby homeschooling days...and my blogs will reflect this.

Feel free to tell me a little bit about yourself.  I promise not to interrupt.  =)

Let's start this blogging adventure together...