Our Last First Day of School at Home

August 2022 marked our last first day of school at home. After fifteen years of virtual school, my youngest son began his senior year of high school. When we started this educational venture, the boys were little, and my days were spent sounding out letters and counting math manipulatives. As they’ve grown, my role has changed from teacher to supervisor. And this year, it will end. I’m ready and nostalgic at the same time.

First Day of School (At Home) Traditions

We begin each year with the signs. There’s the Chalkboard sign that hangs in the schoolroom all year that gets updated, and then the first day of school signs on the chairs. Since the boys have never gone to a traditional in-person school, I decided early on to mark the first day of school at home with something tangible.

When they were little, I would set up a welcome area on our kitchen table or their desks with the new school books. The first day would always have a fun art project to go with it.

As they grew, the traditions changed. The first day became much more casual. Their virtual high school reserved the first two days for orientation and beginning-of-the-year testing. Then, then next week, the subject matter classes begin.

I still take the photos and create the signs, and we also head out to lunch after the first day has finished.

This year was no different- other than it being the last. Dan began his day in homeroom and quickly finished both of his beginning-of-the-year tests. We headed out to Chick-Fil-A for lunch and then took our photos later on in the day- when the heat had begun to subside, and the light outside was more conducive to photos.

Photo Fun

When the boys were little, they couldn’t wait to be done taking the photos so they could go back to playing.

This year, Dan and I had fun during the photo shoot. He goofed off for some of the photos and then spent quite a bit of time taking portraits of me that I could use in future social media posts. He’s become quite the photographer over the last few years.

Expecting and Anticipating Changes Each Year

Even though we have attended the same virtual school for 15 years, it is never quite the same each year. The first few weeks are full of ups and downs as the schedules, and routines get established. It takes time to adjust to the new classes and teachers.

I’ve learned to expect this time of adjustment. Since the school is done at home, any issues that my kids have with the new schedule, classes, or teachers come to me immediately. They don’t get to talk it over with their friends over lunch. I get it, unfiltered and right as things are happening. So, as you look at the photos I share, know that real life happens here, too, with all of its struggles and challenges.

Most often, we settle into a routine after a few weeks. The home hums with the regularity of school and work. It is our normal state here after fifteen years of doing school at home.

Next year, it’ll be different. Most likely, Dan will be off to college like his brother. There won’t be any more “Douglasland Academy” photos to share. The school room will become my office.

A Little Better, Every Year

I began this education journey at home, fifteen years ago, figuring it out one day at a time. The routines and traditions evolved as the boys grew. It wasn’t ever perfect, but we strove to get a little better, every year.

When we began virtual schooling, I didn’t know what it would be like. I doubted my ability to teach the boys how to read. Would I be able to maintain a consistent learning environment for them? How would I adapt as they grew? Would they be able to have friends, despite not spending time in a classroom for years?

Those questions have been answered over time. I got better every year as a teacher, and as they grew, we adapted and changed. As much as we could, we provided them with opportunities to make friends, whether that was in orchestra, youth group, or baseball. The pandemic put a hitch in most of those, but we adjusted.

I’m sure, as the years pass, I’ll hear more about what they loved about schooling at home, and what they would have wished was different. My perspectives on these years will crystalize.

Senior Year Busyness

The fall of senior year will be busy for Dan. He will be applying to colleges, working, and also doing his regular school courses. With all the in-between that summer of 2022 had, I’m grateful to be heading into this important time without more treatment ahead. I can focus time on being an advisor as he makes his plans for next year.

I’m grateful and happy that we’ve made it this far. It has taken much perseverance, prayer, and persistence to go the distance. I wouldn’t trade the time at home with the boys for anything. I’m honored to have been able to be such an active participant in their education. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it.