Comments on: Lessons from starting a new season

By: Julia Richards Krapfl

Julia Richards Krapfl — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 21:35:05 +0000

Oh girl. I just read this today at the end of September and I have been in the same place. My youngest went off to college and the entire focus I’ve had for the past 25 years is now gone. I don’t know who I am. I have no purpose. At the same time, I am sooo excited for her and my other daughter who just graduated from college and my youngest and I both knew it was time for her to move on. I had so many plans for what I was going to do, projects, running when she moved to school. But I have been a bit of a wreck! We also had a trial for a guy who tried to get in her car in a Target parking lot (long story) and I turned 50 this week so I’m sure both of those things had something to do with it. This week has been Homecoming. My girls were on the dance and cheer teams. It was always a big, busy week for us. I am missing it sooo much! Poms and uniforms and door posters and TP’ing houses. I ran 11 miles on my birthday just to clear my head. I needed to read this at just this time and let myself grieve what I don’t have any more even though I am so excited for their paths ahead. Thank you for putting this piece into my life.

By: Amy Massengill

Amy Massengill — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 19:37:33 +0000

At the risk of sounding patronizing, I’m so proud of you for realizing all of these things and putting words to it! There is a real grief felt at the end of every stage with our kids. AND THAT’S OKAY. Both of my daughters are actors, singers, & dancers — the younger one so much so that she’s pursuing a musical theatre degree in college. For 15 years, my job as a mom was to taxi them to and from lessons & rehearsals, and to be the best audience member they could imagine having (and an audience member for my husband, also an actor). Now we’re empty nesters, and I’m able to music direct community theatre musicals once again, as I did before children, often while working on a show with my husband! I miss the season of constantly watching my girls on stage, but this new stage is so very sweet in its own way.
Hang in there … and eat the Oreos!

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 15:10:34 +0000

Wow. Thank you for these beautiful, truthful and inspiring words.

By: Brenda Hunt

Brenda Hunt — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 22:02:32 +0000

I’ve never homeschooled children, but I totally get it that you’re in a new season of life and it’s challenging to cope. Sounds like you’re exactly where you need to be right now and you’re being stretched. As to the learning new things, I’m there too. Teaching a subject I don’t really understand – physics and trying to do everything perfect – incredibly frustrating with everything else going on. God told me to give myself some grace and slow down. No one else expects me to be incredible but me. So I’m listening and trying to find some balance in the process. Your bread making and cooking time sounds like heaven. Also, more time on your knees in prayer. We all need more of that. Blessings Kayse. You’re learning and growing and sounds like you’re already seeing God’s hand at work in your life and family.

By: Emily Winne

Emily Winne — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 21:54:22 +0000

(Cont’d) Right now I’m in a season of fretting over homework with my boys and making sure they read 15-20 min so they don’t fall behind in school (or so they can catch up actually it feels like). And then my kindergartener who is the sweetest kid who I have the best bond with and who says things like “I love your heart” and “I wish you love” is have trouble with paying attention to the teacher and following directions. I’m hearing things like “he needs more support” and “problem-solving teams” and it sounds so serious and makes my heart and mind so extremely anxious. Part of me feels like a failure for not sending him to preschool last year and instead trying to teach him his ABCs at home. I feel like as hard as I tried I was not able to prepare him as well as he needed to be. So my heart sinks to the ground when I get these messages from his teacher, and I can’t help not taking it personally. He is super shy in new situations but a wild child at home and with neighbor kids, etc… Kind of like me when I was a kid. Anyway, today for some reason I’ve felt even more emotional than usual and just wanting the best for my kids and hoping they are having a good day. When they all got off the bus with big smiles on their faces today, I felt relief go through my body. They are home safe.

By: Emily Winne

Emily Winne — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 21:53:37 +0000

Thank you for sharing and being vulnerable. I love what you said… how God goes with my kids each day and He goes with me. I think I need that tattooed on me so I don’t forget that perspective so easily. Tears in my eyes bc although we haven’t been homeschooling, sometimes it is still hard to let go of your kids (even though I immensely need the quiet time and hours to catch up on housework and all the things).

By: Kellya

Kellya — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 16:55:03 +0000

Wow, thanks for your vulnerability, your way of going through those changes is very inspiring.
By deciding not to have kids myself, I protected myself from a lot of those natural transitions. But I was used to move every 2 years at least, and I will be celebrating my 2 years in this place next month without any intention to move in the near future. It is a bit terrifying and as you describe, leaves me with a lot more time on my hands. I am slowly adjusting and trying a lot of new things, in particular volunteering a lot and we will see what sticks… still not very good at slowing down and listening, you reminded me that it would probably be good for me.

By: Bonnie Gustafson

Bonnie Gustafson — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:59:47 +0000

Thank you so much for voicing what I’ve been feeling. It’s good to be encouraged by another sister in Christ. I’m happy to see someone else surrendering in the struggle and praising Christ too. Keep up the faithful work you’re doing.