Keep your eye on the prize. Keep your eye on the finish line.
But what is the finish line? What is the prize?
Years ago, the annual homeschool conference speaker made me think.
Is the prize a successful college education with GPA 4.0?
It’s it about a successful career?
It is about helping each child find their lane in life.
- What is their purpose?
- What is their passion?
- Where are they going?
- What is their contribution to the world?
We aren’t given a Curriculum Vitae for our pre-born.
We can guess how active they are by the kicks in our tummies, but it’s not compelling information that reveals whether they’ll be kicking for FIFA or just functionally walking human beings.
I sure wish we were given that CV though.
Then I’d know that piano lessons wouldn’t be necessary for my scientist-to-be. I’d not insist my kiddo read Scarlett’s Letter all the way through when she’d rather focus on her Russian History major than later teach at a community college, and garden in her spare time.
I guess I wish I knew…
- What they like to do best.
- What atmosphere they thrive best in
- How to capitalize on their strengths.
- How best to enable them beyond their struggles.
How about I get a list of things that will cause growth in their lives? But soft things, not hard things. I don’t think I’d want to know that there was any tough stuff.
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get until you try one.
Babies are like that. Try as you might nail down their genetic potential based on mom and dad, there’s no way to determine their penchant for sushi or their creative flair as they rip apart old dresses to make scarves.
You just don’t get to have advanced planning.
Instead, you observe. You pay attention. You respond to what they need. You give them a wide berth of freedom. And rest in the assurance that…
- you won’t figure it out
- it isn’t your job to figure it all out
- you try to help her unravel it
- and you roll with what comes
The more I know, the more I know I don’t know anyways.
So, I’ll practice not knowing, not having everything figured out, and continue to keep rolling with what is being revealed: my beautiful child.
What’s she going to do? Where’s she going? Only time will tell.
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- homeschooling out of my depth: 5 encouragements from Julie Bogart
What a great piece! I’ve been in survival mode lately, just trying to get through each day, so thanks for the reminder to sit back and wonder, pay attention and enjoy. My goal this week is to get back to playing
You know what, this piece was ironic. Because it’s just I needed today too. Somethings my earlier self encourages my later self. Stop taking myself too seriously–something Ive been learning too. Play hard! And carpe diem!