If you're just at the beginning of the high school years, it may feel like the end is still far off but I warn you, the ball sure does start rolling quickly once it starts.

The end is nigh, my friend. You've been working yourself out of a job and when you make it to the high school years, and you should begin to feel that change. It sounds somber to call it "the end," but remember it's just the end of a chapter and not the whole book. You're still your teen's parent, after all ;).

As I said in a past article, the high school years are a different animal in many ways, the lens often focused on the future. More complex subject matter, heavier work loads, afternoon jobs, driver's license, friends, formals, sports, hobbies, dual enrollment classes, prep for the ACT, and post-high school plans disrupt what was previously a lovely and semi-predictable homeschool routine. All of these things require the same thing: more time.

A wise woman once told me when our kids were young that you really only have until they are fifteen. To do what, I was never quite sure, but now that we're beyond that benchmark I know what she meant. Your role as a parent and educator changes. Your impact, though still felt, is felt in a different capacity. Your child's world broadens and though you are likely still the most prominent voice — and should be — you are not the only one. There is a definite shift around this age as teens grapple for autonomy and understanding of who they are and how they fit in this world. They begin to look for purpose outside of your home.

While it's a good, healthy, and necessary thing to grow, the bittersweet truth is your homeschool will begin to feel different as you have less control over everyone's schedule. The long, leisurely days of family read alouds and afternoons spent on nature walks may start to disappear from your schedule if you're not intentional. And let's be honest, even if you are intentional, there just won't be as much time for them as there used to be.

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