No school

School started here today, our  kids friends had to go back. I am just so thankful that our kids have never had to deal with back to school angst. They were home sleeping comfortably in their beds as they should be.

Childhood is too short to spend it in a classroom for 12 years. Kids grow up so fast, time flies and I wanted to spend as much time with our kids as possible.

Our oldest is 19 now and the rest are 16,14 and 12. They are not little kids anymore. They are growing up right before my eyes.

It seems like yesterday they were all babies, I just can't imagine not spending every day with them during the years that are so important for growth and development.

Little exchange

Cassie had her hair cut yesterday. This was a major transformation as she went from long and full to a pixie cut. While she was getting it done the hairdresser was full of questions. She was a very extroverted person and Cass who used to be a social butterfly is kind of quiet these days. Anyway, this is what I heard. I will use C for her and HD for the nice lady .

HD: How old are you?
C: 14
HD: What grade are you in?
C: I don't go to school.
HD? So you are homeschooled? Don't you still have a grade?
C: I am Unschooled.
HD: What is that?
C: We don't do school.
HD: Well what do you do?
C: Whatever we want.

I giggled under my breath and spoke up saying it's a natural approach to learning. We follow the child's interest.

HD: (Typical response) All my kids are interested in are video games.

Me still smiling... We have done this all their lives.

We briefly exchanged a bit more, but I really loved Cassie's answers :)

No coaching from me.

Although it reminded me of a time when Jared was like 6 and the dad of a kid he met in the neighborhood asked him what grade he was in and he said he doesn't go to prison...Ha ha, I loved it, but started to watch what I was saying.. Yeah right, if you know me...

I love my kids, they are so awesome.

Always Unschooled and smart as a whip!

I'll stop here, I could go on a rant, but this was just about Cass and the HD :)

Mom thoughts

I can't believe it's been 1 1/2 years since I posted. A lot has been going on with me personally and I am trying to come back from it. I won't talk about that right now. I want to focus on being a mom and talking about our awesome kids.

Those that know me or follow this blog know how I feel about parenting. When you start out raising your kids as a partner instead of their adversary, beautiful things happen. When you give love, trust and respect, it shows and comes back to you. It may seem like it takes a long time to build the foundation, it does, as they grow through the years you will see how it comes back tenfold.

When our kids were small, I worked my ass off trying to treat them in the way they needed, not in the way I thought they needed.

As of today they are 18, 16, 14 and 11, in the next 6 weeks that will change to 19, 16, 14 and 12.

They are not small children anymore. Our oldest is a responsible adult, who has a job and his own car. Our middle son just turned 16 and is just an awesome, caring person. Our daughter is turning into such a beautiful young woman and then our baby is so creative and full of life.

I thought I was doing a pretty good job with this parenting thing with our first three. Then Jared came along and he had his own playbook. He challenged me to parent him in ways I never knew. I have written about his explosive personality and brilliant mind.

I am just at a point where I can't believe how grown up they are and how fast it all goes. I am just so happy and proud to be their mom. We will keep on loving, trusting, respecting, supporting and partnering with them as they continue to grow and mature.

They are completely unschooled as always.

If you want awesome kids, you have to treat them that way!