Enjoy and Bless

Well I had plans to make this episode a bit more light-hearted than the previous episode on the legality of unschooling, but something happened in my world that motivated me to talk about something important. 

My brother is attending a funeral this afternoon. Some close friends of his unexpectedly lost their 5 year old son to cardiac arrest a few days ago. He had been a happy, healthy little boy and within two days he was gone. 

Two essential truths rise to the surface for me when I encounter tragedy like this. One, this world is broken and we do ourselves and those around us a disservice when we act or believe otherwise. Two, we are not promised tomorrow so it is imperative that we get our priorities right today. 

Sometimes I worry about the risks I’m taking by unschooling our children. Will they have the documents and test scores they need to pursue the career they’re interested in? Is it okay that they don’t know their multiplication tables? Am I equipping them with the right tools to succeed in adult life? And then I remember: children are already living their lives. They are already whole persons ready to enjoy life and bless others and contribute to society and be respected and celebrated as the unique individuals they are. 

What if we literally spend and give away their childhood preparing for a future that doesn’t exist? Whether that means they are taken from this world early or society as we know it has transformed into something we never could have predicted… Suddenly, concerns about test scores and multiplication tables disappear, and my attention turns to enjoying who my children are today, making sure they know how loved they are, and celebrating all that they have brought to the world already. 

Today I encourage you to slow down, look your children in the eye, and admire the incredible young people they already are. Tell them how much you love them and how proud you are of who they are, just as they are, right in this moment. 

Thanks for reading.