Because we live life a little differently then those around us, I know some folks wonder what we get up to day to day. I also know for people thinking about letting go of a world with school, it’s one of the first pieces of information they are looking for. What does it all look like?
I wish I could throw down a simple template that would make the transition easier for all the courageous families who make the bold choice to walk away from the school system and hang out at home together. Sadly, that does not exist. What does exist is the promise of moments throughout the day where it feels like everyone is in some state of flow. Even if that is only the 2 minutes before all hell breaks loose, it’s there if we can open our eyes and catch it.
So, what does a day in the life look like for us? I’m hoping to shine some light on that each Monday with a little snapshot.
Right now, we are a one car family so my days start with driving in rush hour traffic here in the silicon valley to deposit my husband at work, if we want the car. Which is almost everyday right now. It’s worth laughing out loud at that fact that a year ago, when we had two fully functioning cars, there were days on end when nobody would agree to leave the house. Now, folks want the option each and everyday, even if they don’t exercise it. And as you can probably piece together dropping off at work during rush hour has a pick up happening at the end of the day, with more traffic, right when folks are ready for dinner!
It has been easy for me to get lost in the drama of whoa is me while we navigate this new one car existence. Thankfully, I don’t like to stay there long. So I’ve taken to looking for the things in this new part of our day that are truly gifts. Number one: I have time alone in the car with my husband every morning to have a conversation, uninterrupted, that will last for at least ten minutes. There were years before now where that seemed like a nearly impossible task.
Number Two: Once he’s been deposited at work, I can listen, for close to 20 uninterrupted minutes, anything of my choosing. I have years worth of podcasts stored up waiting to be listened to.
Number Three: right now this is my saving grace. My children are old enough to be left home alone. When we first moved here six years ago we were also a single car family. For over a year and my boys were only 5 and 7. I had to pack all three of us up in the car twice a day if we wanted to have the car. I tell you that was the tipping point many a day, on deciding if an activity was worth it. I am grateful I can leave folks happily engaged in whatever is calling at their hearts to head out the door.
The fourth is a not an everyday thing but when it happens it’s the kinda magic I have been putting the time in for all these years. One of the boys answers, “Yes!” to my call for companions to join me in picking up dad. It hasn’t happened yet that is is both of them at the same time. So, I find myself in the car for a little one on one time with one of my most favorite people. Sometimes we get to chat about things that are troubling someone’s mind. Other times we get to car dance all the way to the office. These are the moments I store up in the special heart pocket I am building for the times when life feel less then magical.
This little snapshot is showing how I am taking what can feel like a tedious, do I really have to job, turning it on it’s head and pulling out the magic moments that are mine for the enjoying. I wonder if there is something in your day to day with your children today that you can turn on it’s head and uncover a bit of awesome.
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