Change. It’s a scary thing for many people, I think. I am not a risk-taker. I never have been. But everything I read and hear and experience lately is pointing me in a new direction. We are still a home school family and that part of our lives will not change. But I am seeking a way to do something I love and earn a living from it.
What Are Your Skills?
What am I good at? I’ve wondered for a long time, much longer than many people. But how many people honestly know what they want to do when they go to college to get that degree? And if they do go, is their goal the money they’ll make from the job? Or is it the passion they feel for their field of study? I’m handy at crafting and sewing. I can sing and play three instruments passably well. I’ve been teaching my children at home for 18 years if you count the years of preschool learning. I’ve taught groups of children in different churches we attended. I enjoyed all of those things. Through all my 40 years two things have really stuck with me – the love of the written word and the printing of words on paper or keyboard.
So What Do I Do With That?
One thing NaNoWriMo taught me was that I could write a book. Another thing it taught me was how much fun it really was to put so many words together in one place. I’ve written song lyrics since high school and way back during my elementary school years, my momma encouraged me to write short stories during the summer months. I still have the notebook she gave me.
The Little Things
Looking back, I see clearly that my love of reading, writing and music were all encouraged and birthed by Momma. She was always involved in my life and though she and Daddy were strict, I wouldn’t trade a moment of the life they provided for me. Because they cared so much, I have become the person I am today. I hope my husband and I have been this kind of encouragement for our children.
So How Do I Make The Jump?
I was never able to finish college. I was a SAHM for many years before being forced to work part-time because of a drastic drop in our income. And even there, God provided a job that gave me the opportunity to continue home schooling. But over the last year and a half, I’ve been feeling the pull to write. NaNo just opened the proverbial Pandora’s Box. So how do I make the jump from SAHM to part-time to writer? I’m not entirely certain but I know it will include lots of research and a certain amount of risk.
What Does That Mean For Our Schooling?
Thankfully, it won’t change anything about our schooling schedule. I almost always write better at the end of the day after school hours are completed. Since that is the case, there’s really nothing holding me back. I actually hope by doing this, I’ll be better able to encourage my children to follow their dreams, maybe even earn enough to help pay for the journey.
What Does This Have To Do With Home Schooling?
Just this. My momma, who did not teach me at home in the sense of home schooling, did so much for my future life by encouraging good hobbies. By doing so, she also taught me the importance of doing the same thing for my own children. Pass on the good things. Leave the bad behind. Make the world a better place, one good deed at a time.
Magniflorious Homeschool Life 
Good questions. They will take some time to answer. Deep critical thinking skills needed.
Yes, indeed! I’m going to be doing lots of research at the library, too. I’m looking forward to this leg of my life journey, though. What adventures await? 🙂