If My Kids Were in School...

This week, I talked to several of my friends whose kids have started school (so my friends have time to talk on the phone:). I listened to their stories about what they do when their children are gone and I wondered (in the vein of top ten reasons to homeschool)...

If my kids were in school...I could go to Big Lots alone. Today, Thomas launched off the end of the cart, rocketing the cart back toward me and the cart handle into my abdomen. Oof.

If my kids were in school...I could go to Big Lots alone. I could spend the entire trip not answering one question. "What is next on the list? What are you getting? How many more things? How much longer? Where are we going next? How much longer? What are you getting? Where are you going?"

If my kids were in school...I wouldn't have to share my McGriddle and French Vanilla Cappuccino (candy coffee).

If my kids were in school...I wouldn't feel guilty about an occasional visit to McDonald's.

If my kids were in school... I could go to doctor appointments alone. "Why are we here? How much longer? When are they going to call your name? When are they going to come into the room? What are they going to do? How much longer? Why isn't he coming yet? What is this? How much longer?"

(For the record, I answer all of these questions BEFORE WE LEAVE and they bring plenty of stuff to do while waiting. They still ask a zillion questions.)

If my kids were in school...I could remain delightfully oblivious to how very strange they really are. Today, Rachel showed me how she likes to put her blankey over her head and feed herself grapes through one of the holes in her blanket. What in the world?

If my kids were in school...I could be alone. I like being alone. I was alone for a long time before I married my husband. I was alone before we had children. I like being alone. I don't get lonely. I like being alone. I have a 70+ year old friend and she has absolutely no trouble being around all sorts of people during the day, and she enjoys her quiet evenings at home, alone. Ahhhhhhhhhh. I could be like that.

If my kids were in school...I could eat something besides crusts for lunch.

If my kids were in school...I could eat my lunch without anyone talking about it or touching it.

If my kids were in school...I could have helped clean up flood-damaged homes in Findlay, instead of lamely dropping off a "flood bucket" at our church. (What is a flood bucket? Why are you buying that stuff? Why did the houses flood? Did the water go all the way to the ceiling? Did anyone die? What happened to all their stuff? Is our house going to flood? Will the water go to the ceiling?)

If my kids were in school...my life would be very, very different and sometimes that is very, very compelling:) If I were not 100% convicted this is a better way of life for our children, homeschooling would be a tough sell. It is a ton of work and an inordinate responsibility. Still, the more I read and learn, the longer I want to do this for them. That doesn't stop me from occasionally wondering...If my kids were in school.....