I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study
mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy,
geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and
agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry,
music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.
John Adams
There many directions I could take in choosing to write about the transition to college life. As a mother of four kids whose youngest entered college in August, I could share important tidbits you need to know to prepare for college. I could tell you even more things you as the parent of a college-bound child need to know.
And since I homeschooled my children for 17 years, I have even more valuable advice to share about the transition for kids from education-at-home to the free-for-all life of a dorm-living college student.
I'm not going to tell you any of that. I want to extol the benefits I have reaped as the mother of college kids.
I can sleep in as late as I want now. No more dragging the kids out of bed so we can begin our school day. (I work from home as a free-lance editor so I can begin my work day at noon if I want and work at night if I want.)
I cook a lot less food a lot less often, and I don't have to grocery shop as much.
People think I should be nominated for sainthood because I homeschooled for so many years and my children have grown into normal adults.
The highlights of my year are no longer the gigantic homeschool convention, the monthly homeschool meeting and yearly mom's retreat, or getting curriculum catalogs in the mail. Since my life is no longer kid and school focused, I can do fun things like to go a sheep and wool festival (maybe not fun to you, but glorious for me and it sure beats back-to-back soccer games on a Saturday).
Vacations don't have to be educational anymore. I went By Myself, no husband, no kids, on vacation last fall and hung out eating, knitting, shopping, laughing and talking with some of my best buddies for five days.
So you see, adjusting to college or having your kids grow up and go to college doesn't have to be the traumatic event some writers warn about. In my opinion? College is great.
Welcome to the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge 2013. I'm aiming for short, entertaining and occasionally insightful posts. Topics addressing transitions are the goal . . . but we'll see.
Yeah to that, My kids have had a varied experience of education, a mixture of home and school and my youngest daughter turned 18 a while ago and I am revelling in not having to feel responsible for them any more. Good luck and enjoy your retirement:-)
ReplyDeleteRetirement? Is that ever a reality? Thanks for visiting.
DeleteGreat quote! New follower here. I'm stopping by for the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/
Dropping by from the A-Z Challenge and I like your theme! New Follower.
ReplyDeleteI agree! We celebrated our children's successful transition to college and independence as our success as parents. We did our jobs. It was a happy time not a time for us to sit around a feel sorry for ourselves.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. I think I tie in my "success" as a parent with my children's progress through life.
DeleteMy oldest will be a high school senior next year and 3 right behind her. To be honest it fills me with fear but I loved this post- things to look forward to, not just all the upheaval and trauma!
ReplyDeleteYou home schooled for 17 years - I am so proud of you - that had to be hard - I think - lol. sandie
ReplyDeleteI'm waist deep in the jungle called homeschooling, so I know where you're coming from. Just glad to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for college too. It matures you in a way that other things don't. There are a lot of poor choices kids can make away at college too, so I prayed a lot while my kids were away. :-)
ReplyDelete