It's Been a While

I do enjoy blogging.  Truly.  I do.  There's just been so much going on in my life that blogging has taken a back seat.

My baby received her First Holy Communion at the beginning of February.  The Monday after the Super Bowl to be precise.  Yes, it was hard waking up and getting us all to the church.  

And, it was difficult to not be behind the camera during this momentous time, but I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else, but behind my sweet, joyful child.

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My friend, Sue and I started a costume company called, Vitus and Company.  We specialize in theater costumes, but would like to branch out into the dance.  One of my goals is to learn the world of Irish dance.  

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You know, teen years are hard.  It's hard for the child and it's hard for the parent.  Then throw in autism and a parent could feel adrift.  One of my favorite places for my son is the Kidz Therapeze clinic.  Everyone there loves him.  They enjoy him.  He doesn't always get that from other places.  One of our favorites?  Ms. Erin.  She has so much wonderful energy.  And, she connects with so many of the kids there.  She brightens them up.  She is a blessing to me and to all the children at Kidz.

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Tween years are not so easy.  The social world is difficult to navigate as well.  

My older two are getting phones.  iPhones to be precise.  Mainly, smartphones because the cell phone world is heading away from regular phones.  

Why?  It is already difficult to be a homeschooler.  You are different even if it's a more accepted way of education.  Socially, my children have wonderful opportunities with homeschoolers and not.  But, in this day and age, it's hard to be the only one without a phone.  I know.  I don't usually do what others do.  BUT.  Well, some friends don't communicate without a phone.  Texts are the way some kids communicate.  I don't want the feeling of isolation to lead to serious rebellion.  I can see it happening especially in one particular child.  

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Did I tell you?  Sister got pointe shoes!  It was such a wonderful experience.  The girls and I drove to Austin for Sister to get fitted.  Then, we had a celebratory lunch.  This is her 8th year of ballet at Newcomb School of Ballet.  

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I will end this with this final thought.  I started homeschooling when Brother was 5.  I thought I could help control certain aspects of his education.  I knew he would be lost in the crowd.  He is just high functioning enough that he'd fall through the cracks of an overburdened education system.  Now, of course, there are many more reasons; reasons I won't get into.  One of the early reasons was to help prevent any sense of isolation amidst a crowd he would feel.  I also didn't want him to be a target of bullies.  I had a sense that he would be.  So, it pains me that sometimes the world you place your child in can create such hurt.  And, I'm not just speaking of one child.  I have seen and heard of the hurt that happens in the homeschool world.  

Socially, we have many opportunities.  But, we are all humans.  The mistake I made?  That by controlling who enters my children's spheres that there wouldn't be as much hurt.  I was wrong.  Not everyone feels the way I do.  Not everyone teaches their child the things I would expect.  And, some kids?  They're just downright mean.  And, when a family of kids are mean?  No words.    

Disclaimer:  I'm not saying public school kids are awful by virtue of public schooling.  I just thought that by exerting some control, I could control the kinds of people who would enter my children's sphere.  I was wrong.  Very, very wrong. 

 

 

Comments

[Jess]

The whole social world, homeschooling or not, is very difficult for the kids and the parents. Trying to guide them through it can definitely wear you out!
I'm glad you are back : )