Busting Out of My Comfort Zones
Next week I meet with a counselor from the Intermediate School to ask a buttload of questions about enrolling my youngest in public school this fall. Then I will meet with the high school counselor about enrolling my oldest daughter. Part of me is excited for my girls to try it out and see if they like it. The other part of me is shit scared. I haven’t made any decision for sure but I definitely have decided to start the process and see how things feel as I learn more. A big reason that it’s so terrifying is because I don’t know anything about public school. Not only did I never attend public school, but I was also taught that it was horrible.
I have a lot of reasons to be frozen in fear. There are plenty of truths that could convince me to never even try it. But if there is one thing that I have learned in the past 3 years, it is that there is always so much more than the extremely limited view I grew up with. Sure there are truths about the goodness of homeschooling and the dangers of public school, but that doesn’t mean that home school is the best choice. Home school is just another option and everyone gets to choose what is best for them.
One thing I know for sure: I don’t ever want to get stuck and become unwilling to explore different options. I want my kids to see that their mom overcame her fears and embraced new opportunities. I want to offer my kids a variety of life. I want them to grow up brave and excited to spread their wings. I want them to have as many experiences as possible so they can learn and grow and be better prepared for life.
Turns out, being extremely sheltered is not the best way to grow up. Add in the bonus of being raised in a cult and you have a combination for disaster. And though it made for a whole lot of shit to unlearn, I am grateful that I can offer something much better for my own kids. Plus they get to see that we’re never too old to change and embrace a new way of life that is more honoring to us.
I don’t know where all this will lead but I am excited to bust out of my old thinking and continue to create a life I love through new learning experiences. Who knows? Maybe my girls will love public school! And if they don’t, I’m sure it will still hold plenty of opportunities for growth for all of us.
“You can’t knock something till you try it, right?” Silly me. I’ve been bad-talking public school my whole life without ever even stepping foot into the building. Enough of that. Time to find out for myself. Enrolling my son in his senior year wasn’t as scary since he is 17, has a car, a phone, and isn’t easily swayed by others. My girls though, well, it’s a bit scarier. However, I shouldn’t sell my daughters short. They are absolute badass’s. They are strong-willed, confident, smart, fierce young ladies. Maybe it’s the public schools that should be worried 🙂.
Have you ever done something that scared the shit out of you? How was it for you? What did you learn? I’d love to hear your stories. You can email me at freedomforthetaking@gmail.com.
Getting out of our comfort zones is so healthy for us!
Until next week, keep being brave my love.
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