Social studies in the living room
This is the season of holiday parties, and in some of my online
homeschooling communities, the question has arisen "What do you say when
people ask what you do?" Honestly, this question doesn't bother me. I
tell people what I do. But...this question generally comes from people I
don't know, so it is more entertaining than anything else to watch and
hear the responses. I have no investment in their opinion.
This
year was the first time I can remember having conversations that left
me feeling a little uprooted. At the time, I was momentarily phased, but
it wasn't until later (early the next morning while exercising and
having a quiet moment alone with my thoughts) that the words and the
meanings meshed into
something in my mind a little more weighty.
Writing holiday cards to nursing home residents
First,
I was asked "so...just how long have you been a stay at home mom?"
(Almost nine years. Nine of them. That's a lot of flippin' years.) The next
person asked "so you still don't work, do you?" Honestly, my response to
this one was "Actually, I work A LOT."
Okay, so I am a
sensitive soul, and these were lovely, well intended questions from
friends of my parents. People who probably don't really care a bit about
what I really do, don't actually hold judgement on me, and who are
just trying to make conversation. But they probably do care about my
parents, they probably do compare what their own children are doing with
what their friends' kids are doing, and perhaps my own parents do, too.
As a sensitive soul, the questions linger and add themselves to the
questions I have of myself. As I roll into mid-life, what am I doing
with my life? What next?
Learning about bridges with Uncle S
Well
let me tell you...A LOT. I am teaching, learning, facilitating
opportunities, fostering curiosities, exploring all sorts of topics,
crafting, creating, and connecting with my children. I am good at it. It
is hard. I am making decisions all. day. long. It is nearly impossible
to find quiet. There are limits to my knowledge (as is the case for every
teacher) and I don't get paid (in money). But this is my job and
although I get grumpy, tired, stressed (the stakes are high!), and
overwhelmed sometimes, I am privileged to do it and it is no less
important than having an advanced degree or a passion-driven job as some
of my peers are paid to do.
I am blessed to be in
an extended family who, while concerned and curious, are supportive and
interested, invested, and wanting to help. I am not generally questioned
or undermined. Occasional comments are made that leave me wondering if
they are disappointed with the choices I/we have made, if there is
embarrassment at having to answer that I am not working (for a
paycheck), but judgments and negative comments are kept to themselves, support is
offered and given often, and I know we have opened the door to a world
of possibilities, not just to our children, but to our families, as
well.
I don't know what next. I am trying to be present in
what is in front of me right now, as it is so fleeting. I have inklings
of ideas of the possibilities for me when I am no longer homeschooling
and have faith the doors will open when the time is right.
Right now, I am a home educator. This is my job. What do you do?
