I'm Going to Tell You Something Surprising

Today I'm going to tell you something surprising.

The best thing about home schooling so far is: my husband.

He has changed, and I'm not talking about his shorts (although, that might be a good idea). I'm not saying there's been anything wrong with him up until now. Well, aside from the obvious. He doesn't have a shirt with the word "inapropriate" emblazened across the chest for no reason! Then there's the devil costume, the "proud to be awesome" t-shirt and the addiction to... electronic toys... Anyway...

Like any other couple, we've had our fireworks... and our sparklers... then there's the moments that were more like the lighter with just barely enough fluid left to burn your thumb when you flick your Bic.

But this last week or so, it's been more like a laser light show! He made his first real dinner in probably thirteen years! (Lasagna, mmmm.) This weekend he cleaned out the fridge and washed the tub and shower... to which Cady responded, "Where's my tub crayons?" (My little artist, every clean surface a blank canvas.) He's taken the kids on field trips and been involved in the lessons we didn't get done during the day.

He's pledged to help Asher make a trebuchet before our Medieval Feast... although, I'm sure there are some sort of ulterior motives behind the project. Can you say, "punkin' chunkin'?"

One day last week, he even sent a disciplinary video of himself (wise, talking head) to the kids via his iPhone letting them know that Dad had Mom's back. Not that I lost my composure or was teetering on the edge or anything... it's all cool. Asher's response: "I HATE that video!" Guess Jay will have to work on his cinematography! No body's perfect.

Asher sees a neurofeedback specialist to help with some "issues." Another entire post on those later... and then some. Not the point here tonight, though. The point is that Dad actually took the specialist's advice and did some "natural play" (a.k.a. controlled wrestling) with his son tonight. Yay for natural play! Yay for taking professional advice! After a run with mom, sister, and two dogs followed by a round of natural play with dad... sleepytime came quick to a kid who struggles with night-time fidgets. Yay for sleepytime!

Another change in Jay (and also in me), the one that will probably have the most profound impact on our relationship and this whole experience, has been the release of guilt. I'm not talking about, "Release the GUILT!" I'm talking, the abolition of guilt. I am now free to participate in my self-fulfilling activities in the evenings, and he is free to participate in his. (All right, I KNOW there are a few of you with your minds wallowing in the filthy gutter... not THAT kind of self-fulfilling activity!) With NO strings attached. Daddies don't babysit. They parent, just like moms. Nor do moms and dads need to always be together, to parent together.

Sometimes taking time away to do the things that I enjoy, and likewise for him, can be just as beneficial to our relationship as taking a night out together... wherein one of us might have to suffer through a movie the other hates, and the other is forced to eat Ethiopian food when all she wants is a burger or some dang quesedillas! Sorry, I digress.

Why the sudden change? I think, and of course it's just my speculation, that he realized the heavy responsibility that was hoisted onto my shoulders when we decided to educate our kiddos at home. It's like a full time job that I love (and hate, and love, and then hate, and then love). ALWAYS ending in love. I also think that my husband loves to learn. He's usually up for any opportunity to think and grow. You see, it doesn't matter what the seed looks like when it's just a seed. It holds all the potential for growth within it.

The reason I'm blogging about this particular thing tonight? Daddy made great tacos and cleaned up the kitchen! I'm so proud of him! (So much for growth and learning and seeds and crap. It's gotta be the tacos.)

See, home schooling is a lifestyle decision, not just an educational method. I can see the positive effects on our family, even when the kids refuse to do their math! Uh, oh. Do I see another video from the infamous "talking head" in our near future? Mwuhahahaha!