I cannot describe the marvelous conversations I am privileged to have with shadowkatt. They might happen at any time of the day or night, in the car, over dinner, while watching TV, via LJ or IMs—you name it.
Thinking back, I cannot recall ever having these kinds of interactions with my parents at any age. There was a somewhat adversarial “me against them” attitude which seems to be assumed as normal in American society (I cannot speak for any other). I didn’t tell them anything I didn’t have to tell them. I did not seek advice from them, and seldom requested any kind of help unless I absolutely had no other way to deal with a situation—because I’d learned that they would not support me in any but the most basic ways, and they would NEVER support me in any conflict with an authority figure of any kind.
I have to credit homeschooling for our closeness. We have more time to spend with each other. We don’t live by a one-size-fits-none schedule dictated by some outside authority. Katie is acknowledged and respected as a worthwhile person every day of her life, rather than being tossed into a random group of people born within a year or two of each other who are “managed” by people who never get time to really know the students as individuals.
This is just one of the many blessings in my life. I am very grateful for it.
