THIS YEAR DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED
So we redirected the path
Freedom in homeschooling allowed us to be flexible during a time that we thought we had everything planned perfectly for our son.
This May he was supposed to walk across the stage of the online college he had been attending and get his BS in Information Systems Management. He'd already started taking classes to also start his two-year program in Airplane Mechanics. The summer IT internship he was supposed to start got cancelled. He broke his collarbone and had to be laid off from his part-time job that he enjoyed.
Then things drastically changed when his graduation got cancelled, the Aircraft Mechanics program put him back on the waiting list to accommodate students that were displaced with the circumstances of the pandemic and new laws about social distancing.
REDIRECTING AND FLEXIBILITY
Know that you have time and there is no rush when homeschooling. Since my son was only 16 years old, he voiced his desire to have an actual college graduation. He was willing to work on other interest for a year so he would have the chance to walk the stage next year.
He added a minor onto his degree in Marketing since he said he was interested in that subject. He was only required to take three more classes.
In order to redirect and allow our child to explore a new path we:
- Did a Mind Map and Brainstorm of other interest
- Pointed out what was important to him
- Identified areas he needed more help (like networking skills, desire to learn music, need to practice public speaking more)
- Pointed out experiences he wanted
- Gave himself permission to put a direction at rest (for now or maybe forever)
- Pointed out what was most important to him
Speed Racer wanted a graduation. He also decided to table the Aircraft Mechanic program since it was something he'd decided to pursue in support of his dream of becoming a pilot. He did waver on becoming a pilot since the travel industry took a big hit - but we encouraged him to see the benefits of gaining a private pilot license for no reason but for personal and life growth. He agreed he'd still like to pursue the private pilot license and see what happens.
PLAN FOR THE EXTENDED HOMESCHOOLING COLLEGE YEAR
He has changed his plans to include learning music, improving his breakdancing (hoping to be able to pursue the next Olympics in Break dancing), do a year of canoe racing since he missed the opportunity. For school work, he is minoring in Marketing, graduating in May 2021 with his sister who is graduating with her MS (at age 20 years), taking more computer programming classes, some homeschool classes in speech and debate so he can be around other teens.
HELP THEM TO SEE LIFE AS A GREAT ADVENTURE
In all the redirection, help them to see life as the great path of possibilities. Change is normal and can be fun as well as exciting. Closed paths aren't about the closing but about the learning and growing as a person.
by LM Preston, Author of Homeschooling and Working While Raising Amazing Learners
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