More than 18 Summers
I have had more than 18 summers with my family. 32 to be exact. We have weekly family dinners and celebrate everything else in between . How did we get there? How did my parents create a deeply connected family for us all that I know so many of us strive to do for our own kids? Well, it was a childhood where connection and friendship were prioritized. Where academics weren’t pushed and there was no comparison. We were just ourselves. Free to be and for your own interests and opinions.
I went to childcare, kinder and school. No homeschool in sight. My mum worked until I was 4 years old and then when my sister was born she became a SAHM. Every morning she would drop us off to school, and be there to pick us up. We did little extra curricula activities and life never felt rushed. I remember her making pikelets after school and having playdates will my friends multiple nights of the week. I grew up with a core group of friends and my parents were besties with their parents. Their mums become my second mums. We had Friday night dinners and fish and chips in the park together weekly. We went on a few family holidays, watched tv most days and didn’t have many toys. I don’t remember too much from my childhood. It was simple. It was connected and I grew up with a sense of belonging and love - that is a feeling I will carry with me always and I don’t take it for granted at all.
Why am I sharing this? Well I think it’s important to reflect on our own upbringings and try to understand what we wish to replicate and what we wish to change. I know this is not everyone’s story when it comes to their childhood, but I also know that many of us strive to create something similar for our own kids. So here are my main thoughts to create a connected home (and its simpler than you might think):
My kids might not remember specifics of their childhood but they will absolutely remember how they feel so keep your days simple and full of love.
I don’t think ‘school or homeschool’ determines the closeness of your relationships with your children but how present and available you are for your kids even into their adulthood years.
Having other adults in your life that aren’t family are invaluable. Build community now.
Connection with friends and community is by far the most important thing there is in life.
Having a stay at home parent, even through adulthood, is a gift and if you can make this happen then I would strive to do this.
Conscious homeschoolers often over think how we can build a deep connection and worry that we aren’t doing enough. Stop over thinking it. You are doing enough. Prioritise community. Be present. Keep it simple. The rest will fall into place!
Always Living Free,
Emilly
