This is super beautiful. I grew up homeschooled my whole life. It wasn't the best, but there were pieces of magic in it that as an adult I long for. And I have two kids now and I work all the time and I'm proud of my work but I'm also always sad that I'm not with them. There's just a lot of beauty in your essay. I'm super proud of you, especially coming from a military background, which we share… I know there are loads of additional expectations coming from that background on top of the normal ones for men. The part near the beginning of y'all starting his education where he wanted to learn cursive in Latin sounded really special. I imagine the best kind of life where my kids would ask me for things that they love and I'd be able to actually spend time with them and do them. Thanks for taking the time to write.
Besides being deeply touched, your story also doubly confirmed my spontaneous decision today to sign up for Korean class for my niece, because she wants to learn Korean and wants me to, too.
This really resonated this week. Our son is almost two, so not a major red flag yet, but his teachers at daycare have indicated he may be a little farther behind the curve than his classmates.
Then again, he’s a rockstar at home. Smart. Curious. He just isn’t the most gifted talker quite yet.
It’s stoked all kinds of fears. Some rational, some not, about what the future could hold.
In the back of my mind I asked myself, “If I had to homeschool him because our educational system doesn’t jive with him, could I?”
Your experience gives me hope that, if I have to cross that bridge one day, it’s not impossible.
Kevin and Latham, thank you so much for this; I really loved it, and won't forget it. Sometimes you read something that validates your own ability, or opportunity, to trust that small, quiet voice of intuition. You just know the way through the dark, or the way keeps presenting itself again and again, even when it's not clear at first. Get quiet and listen. So good. Thank you again.
What an amazing journey your family is on, filled with so much love and trust and empowerment. P.S. If your kids like podcasts, my kids (who also love Greek mythology) adore "Greeking Out" (and also "Circle Round," although this one's not specifically about myths).
Thank you Kathy. We love Greeking Out, although my son learned enough to constantly correct the podcast host with the "more correct" (and often more adult) version of the story.
This is super beautiful. I grew up homeschooled my whole life. It wasn't the best, but there were pieces of magic in it that as an adult I long for. And I have two kids now and I work all the time and I'm proud of my work but I'm also always sad that I'm not with them. There's just a lot of beauty in your essay. I'm super proud of you, especially coming from a military background, which we share… I know there are loads of additional expectations coming from that background on top of the normal ones for men. The part near the beginning of y'all starting his education where he wanted to learn cursive in Latin sounded really special. I imagine the best kind of life where my kids would ask me for things that they love and I'd be able to actually spend time with them and do them. Thanks for taking the time to write.
Such a beautiful piece. Latham is doing wonderful stuff.
Besides being deeply touched, your story also doubly confirmed my spontaneous decision today to sign up for Korean class for my niece, because she wants to learn Korean and wants me to, too.
🥲
This really resonated this week. Our son is almost two, so not a major red flag yet, but his teachers at daycare have indicated he may be a little farther behind the curve than his classmates.
Then again, he’s a rockstar at home. Smart. Curious. He just isn’t the most gifted talker quite yet.
It’s stoked all kinds of fears. Some rational, some not, about what the future could hold.
In the back of my mind I asked myself, “If I had to homeschool him because our educational system doesn’t jive with him, could I?”
Your experience gives me hope that, if I have to cross that bridge one day, it’s not impossible.
Matt, I have more to say and will soon, but for starters, I think you might like this article.
https://carolblack.org/a-thousand-rivers
Just now made time to read through this essay. Thank you for sharing it! Forwarded it to some friends.
You’re making me really consider alternative learning methods when my son gets older.
Kevin and Latham, thank you so much for this; I really loved it, and won't forget it. Sometimes you read something that validates your own ability, or opportunity, to trust that small, quiet voice of intuition. You just know the way through the dark, or the way keeps presenting itself again and again, even when it's not clear at first. Get quiet and listen. So good. Thank you again.
What an amazing journey your family is on, filled with so much love and trust and empowerment. P.S. If your kids like podcasts, my kids (who also love Greek mythology) adore "Greeking Out" (and also "Circle Round," although this one's not specifically about myths).
Thank you Kathy. We love Greeking Out, although my son learned enough to constantly correct the podcast host with the "more correct" (and often more adult) version of the story.
I'll have to check out Circle Round.
Haha, I grew up obsessed exclusively with D'aulaires, so it's been refreshing for me as an adult to hear alternate versions.
Well done!
Thank you Fred. It's been a wild ride. And it continues to be.
You are an inspiration for all fathers. Will DM you my homeschooling curriculum.