If you live in the USA, you probably celebrated Thanksgiving last Thursday. For me, this year was different because I did not even attempt to engage my teenagers in a turkey craft. It did not even cross my mind. That ship has sailed.
I am enjoying this new phase, don’t get me wrong. As I browse through curriculum options and different classes available, I cannot believe PreK-8 does not apply to us anymore.
Yes, our daughter still has to do 8th grade next year, but it has become clear that she will have to be heavily involved in the decision-making process. As such, I am no longer signing them up for whatever looks good to me.
By next August, I will have two teenagers and if having one teenager has taught me anything, it is that we must allow them to choose a lot of their courses and electives.
Also, they prefer the company of friends to the company of their parents. Sure, they still want us around and need us to answer questions, but the bulk of their free time is spent with friends (online or offline).
In all honesty, I like how dynamic this whole child-rearing thing is (with an added thick layer of homeschooling). Just when you think you know what you are doing, things change. New situations arise. Schedules must change. No time for boring routines. It certainly keeps you young.