Everyone is starting school today and I should be excited, but I’m not sure that I am. You see, I’m actually done homeschooling. My last baby graduated two years ago and although I’m super proud of my kiddos and the adults they’ve become, I can’t help but miss their littleness. I miss the rush of the first day of homeschool. I miss the excitement of the new homeschool year and all of its possibilities. I miss watching them learn new things. I miss the back to school shopping (Ok, not so much after seeing the craziness at Walmart yesterday!).
One of my favorite movies put it best, You’ve Got Mail when Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are talking about the fall. How much they love the leaves changing and smell of newly sharpened pencils. I love that! There is something about the smell of newly sharpened pencils and new books. I loved going to pick out school supplies. I’m odd, I know, but I really did love being a homeschool mom and all it brought into our lives. It wasn’t always easy, and matter of fact, there so many times when I just sobbed saying that I wanted to quit. Because you know what? It can be really hard, emotionally and mentally and not just for the moms, but on the kids too. But, I would remind myself that it would be worth it in the end.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel and now my kids are living in that light. All three from birth to graduation and we all somehow survived. Looking back it was more fun, than not. More regular boring school days than horrible days. You will make it too. And if not, and you stop homeschooling, then that’s ok too. So what does a retired/veteran homeschool mom do on the first day of school? Here are some ideas if you’re feeling a little blue:
- Catch up with some other retired/veteran homeschool moms and get some coffee
- Watch You’ve Got Mail
- Journal your thoughts
- Go see a movie while everyone else is at school
- Is there a class you’ve always wanted to take? Sign up now!
- Go back to school yourself
- Consider getting a job if you don’t have one
- Volunteer
- Sign up to teach a homeschool co-op class
- Volunteer with your local or state homeschool support group
- Tutor other homeschool kids
- Volunteer at your church
- Learn a new hobby or pick up one that you haven’t had time for
- Spend time getting to know yourself again
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