I alluded to the fact that my family had some exciting transitions to anticipate for 2020 in a recent blog post.  We are officially closing the book on a big part of our lives as we begin to write the first chapter in a new one.

Today marks the beginning of a tremendous shift for us!  After eight years of being a homeschooling family, we are transitioning the kiddos to traditional school.  I’d like to say that the decision was difficult and we spent months laboring over it, but the truth is that it wasn’t.

It was an easy yes.

After a particularly challenging homeschooling semester, coupled with our oldest daughter recently asking to go to school, it was simply the right decision.  This is quite a deviation from how I started the school year, determined I would convince everyone that homeschooling was the best option for our family.  In fact, it’s so the opposite of how I felt in September, that it’s clearly ordained.  I feel such supernatural peace about this new direction.  Once again, His plans are always so much better than mine.

I thought I’d feel sad or scared or apprehensive about this massive change in our lifestyle.  I mean really, it’s a huge change for us.  Instead, I’m so incredibly thrilled for my kids.  We’ve found perfect communities for them to continue their educations, where they’ll be loved and pursued and taught in the Father’s grace.  Though I expect I will still feel very much like a homeschool mom for awhile (or perhaps, forever), I am so excited about the communities of families we are joining.  And the kids are, too.  Everyone’s all abuzz about new school supplies and (gasp!) school uniforms.  I think most of us could do without the very early wake up calls, but we’re all looking forward to the new schedules.

In many ways, homeschooling has defined our family and our lifestyle for a long time.  It’s been comfortable.  Flexible.  Predictable.  Easy.  We’ve been a homeschooling family for most of my children’s academic careers.  But over the last several months, it became clear that homeschooling simply wasn’t serving our family as well as it had in the past.  For a variety of reasons, we needed a new plan.

That new plan includes multiple schools, two new start dates, sports schedules, and lots (and lots) of driving for me.  Though Dumpling will still be officially homeschooled on paper, he will continue with his school tutoring program in the mornings.  That’ll allow me some very precious one-on-one time with him to work together in the afternoons while his older siblings are at school.

And you know what?  I can’t wait.  I’m looking forward to the new friendships, the new structure, and to hopefully gaining a bit of personal time to pursue health coaching and an exciting project that the Lord has laid on my heart.

Change can be so difficult.  Sticking with what we know is often easier.  But it’s not always best.  Especially when we’re feeling stressed out and unable to find time for our own self care or simply get enough sleep, sometimes a change is exactly what’s in order.  As we plunge into 2020 with great expectations for what is to come, I encourage you, sweet friend, to take stock of what may not be serving you well.  Reevaluating has been so good for my family, and I bet it could be pretty great for you, too.  Happy new year!