One thing that I didn’t expect when I plunged into my “life after homeschooling” chapter was the amount of time still dedicated to caregiving. Nobody actually ever so much as hinted about this aspect of an empty nest. I only heard about pursuing interests set aside during the child raising years or changing careers or…
Procrastination promotes stress. I failed to admit to myself that I suffer with procrastination. Some people wait until the last minute to write reports or cram for tests. I am not one of those people. In fact, peers teased younger me for this very trait. I find balance in routine and planning ahead. Spontaneous trips…
Adjusting expectations happens sometimes with seemingly unrelated events. Have you ever felt like you failed God by not living up to certain perceived expectations? I have. Light-bulb moments occurred when I read about an author’s childhood missionary dream and when I took a walk with a friend who made an innocent comment that struck me.…
Do you have a writing dream? How has the journey gone so far? In elementary school, I devoured books and imagined myself as the heroine. The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder stands out in my memories, but countless others influenced me too. During the fifth and sixth grades, my teachers introduced writing short…
Did you know that empty nest syndrome is a real thing? I didn’t, so becoming aware of this has at least explained some of the feelings I’ve experienced. Some people struggle with it for a few weeks or months, but some for a few years. I guess I fall into the latter category. Lucky me.…
Nobody ever talks about how sad it is to be stuck in the “in-betweens,” which really doesn’t help anybody. What do I mean about in-betweens? There are lots of in-betweens such as being in-between dreams and broken dreams, full houses and empty nests, what was and what will be, grief and healing, jobs or careers,…
I enjoy listening to Focus on the Family broadcasts once in a while. Several years ago when they were on the radio station I listen to, it was easier to hear them daily. Now, I must seek them out online, and that means planning to listen on purpose. I tend to listen while I cook…
Transitions rock the boat. One chapter finished, yet you find yourself in limbo, in unchartered territory for you. As a homeschool mom, you worked yourself right out of your job! Now what? Here are four options to consider while you transition after your homeschool career. Breathe. Take it one step and day at a time.…
Life is full of shifting roles and a wide range of emotions that accompany the changes. Who would expect grief to become my companion after I sent my youngest off to public high school after spending over 20 years educating my children? During my first year of homeschooling, I found myself weeping on the doorstep…
Different stages means Christmas changes. I don’t just mean that we share our children with their in-laws; I mean the way I approach celebrating changes. It’s the way life goes. Remember the days when you tucked the little ones into bed in anticipation of Christmas morning, and they woke up earlier than ever? Groggy-eyed, I’d…