There has been a permanent shift in home education.
Last year, schools did not know how to accommodate parents and many families were forced into “crisis,” “virtual,” or “pandemic” schooling. Some families chose to try homeschooling or found this moment to dive into a lifestyle they were already considering.
In raw numbers, it was the biggest boost in homeschooling in US history. We all knew that the numbers would not hold at the peak, but I took heart in knowing that the home education community would be larger and some families would discover that homeschooling was the right path for them going forward.
We have grown in permanent ways and the energy of these new families is exhilarating.
Now again, parents are faced with schools changing the rules just before students are to return. Moms and dads are understandably upset that our elected officials appear to be manipulating families by not giving them clear guidance in a timely manner.
Given the timeline, families are placed in a position of chaos as they expected one educational picture and are getting another.
When we founded Allschoolers Park Days, it was in that first wave of confusion and we wanted to welcome all types of families to come and play and get a break from the madness.
After one year of weekly meetups, and innumerable side adventures, I’m learning that we are much more than a weekly playdate.
This week we had many new families join and I had strangers thanking me. I didn’t really understand why. We post dates, places, and times for the meets and that’s about it. Many of us bring snacks to share, but no one notices if someone doesn’t. We don’t plan activities for the children or guide them much at all. Several of us wave our children away if they utter the dreaded, “I’m bored.” It rarely happens, but the responsibility for their entertainment falls squarely on them.
It’s all very hands off.
The parents sit around and share our frustrations, confusions, resources, quagmires, victories, funny stories, and encouragements. We listen to each other.
Sure, I may break off for a wrestling match with a half dozen kids, or a mom might turn a water gun fight into a woman-made monsoon, but generally we help each other go home with a greater peace than we arrived with.
The “thank you”s make more sense now. This group couldn’t be simpler, but the world craves complication. It demands rules, guidelines, orders, and a watchful eye on those who hand down dictates. We choose to exist with trust in ourselves and each other. No rules or judgment, just compassion and kindness.
To think of compassion as rare is heartbreaking. To hold one of these precious places for people to gather is healing.
