It’s the start of our third year of homeschooling and every day I wake up to new revelations.

Most days I see with my own eyeballs the reasons homeschooling is so important. Other days — the hard days — it’s easy to wonder if I’m up to it. If I’m doing enough. If I’m too much.

If…

But that big old IF takes a backseat when I see personal growth in the children.

One of my sons has really started to grow into himself. His wardrobe has changed. His interests have changed. What impresses me the most is his bravery.

I’ve never been brave enough to be myself. Not really. I was always going with the crowd (as much as it pains me to say). And, beyond homeschooling and farming (which has ironically become a chic thing), my adult life has been flowing right along the current.

So when a child of mine — one who also has struggled with being comfortable in his own skin around others — starts to branch out, stretch, and become something maybe not that “cool,” it makes me wonder.

Does it have something to do with his current lifestyle? He is free here at home. He spends time on school (begrudgingly) and then spends the rest of the time being completely 100% accepted by his siblings and parents being who he is.

Last year, he started wearing blue jeans and boots almost exclusively. If you were to ask him who his best friend is, I bet he would say it’s our neighbor, Timmie (a man in his mid-sixties). The two feed cattle together nearly every day. My son has become his legs since he can’t get around very well anymore. It’s a precious relationship.

When we were talking about fall/winter clothes tonight, my boy told me (as serious as a heart attack) he wants a pair of overalls. I guarantee he wants to wear them. In public. (!!!!!!) But that’s who he’s turning into.

He’s my four-wheeler driving, heifer-feeding, blue-jean wearing little boy. Who will be 11 in less than 2 months.

Maybe he would be the same kid even if he were in “the system.” Maybe not. Who knows. I guess the IF doesn’t really matter.

Keep growing into you. Wherever you are. Wherever you go. Be brave.

God bless you, Rylan.

Providing meat for the family!

Gilly suit for Christmas!

Helping mom haul some hay.

Transforming his hunt into tasty snacks.

My boy in his jeans.

It’s only a BB gun.

Math. Always fun.

His bottle calf, Dumbo.

Time at the pond.

Whittle wood.

First deer.

Squirrel for supper. Really.

Categories: Life on the farm

Tagged as: boys farm homeschooling hunting

Ginia

My name is Ginia Oehlschlager and I'm a small-town gal from Missouri. Join me as I document my crazy life on the farm with my husband and four kids. I'm always looking for frugal, simple ways to live the life God set before me. Where faith, family and fun come together on the farm.