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A homeschool mom’s letter to Saint Nick

December 22, 2014 //  by Kara Anderson//  44 Comments

letter

Written by contributor Kara Anderson.

Hey there, Santa.

This is little Kara Anderson (Barbie Dream House, 1982).

I wanted to let you know that I have been pretty good this year, all things considered.

I have stopped trying to do all the things on Pinterest.

Prefer to listen?

I have been generally responsible with my Amazon Prime account, forcing myself to wait 24 hours before impulse-ordering curriculum materials.

I currently owe the public library just $9.75!

(But I do have 16 items on hold …)

And so, because I’ve been a pretty good homeschooler, I was kind of hoping I could ask you for a few extra things this year:

1. I’m wondering if you could give me three extra hours every Saturday.  I love getting kicked out of the craft store at closing time as much as the next woman who needs exactly 42 Popsicle sticks, but between groceries, errands and trying to pick up our home, I could use just a little longer each weekend for homeschool planning.

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2. I want all read-alouds to be as good as The Mysterious Benedict Society and Mr. and Mrs. Bunny – Detectives Extraordinaire.

3. Speaking of books, can you get all of the original Nancy Drews turned into audiobooks? All read by Laura Linney? And can you have her call flashlights torches?

4. Is 40 printer cartridges a lot? That feels like a lot. Maybe 35.

5. I’m wondering if whenever I find myself comparing what we do to another homeschool family, if you could have an elf sneak out from behind a corner and Taze me.

6. I’d like watching Downton Abbey to count as “History.”

7. I want my four years of Spanish back.

8. I’d like us to actually travel to all the places Sam and Sofia visit. Jack and Annie too. And the Willowbee kids.

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9. I’d like a stocking full of answers to adorably awesome quandaries.

10. I’d like to meet a version of myself from the future, who comes back to tell me that it all works out – that they grow up happy, find fulfilling careers, caring relationships, and know how to do their own laundry and cook spaghetti and change a tire.

11. Whenever I say I am going online to check “just one thing,” I’d like you to crash our WiFi.

12. Next time someone says to me, “Don’t you worry about socialization?” I want to have the bravery to say, “I used to, but not since we’ve started letting them out during the day.”

13. I’d like DCFS not to show up after I say that.

14. I’d like Bill Nye back on television. He’d probably do it if you asked. He seems really awesome like that.

15.  I’d like more days where we make paper boats and float them in the creek, and nights when we snuggle under blankets outside and whisper stories. I’d like to remember that learning comes with us wherever we go.

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16.  I’d like to remember to see my kids as they are. Every day. I’d like to not make value judgments based on how I learned that learning happens.

17.  I’d like society to show more respect for kids. I’d like to move this one to the top, actually.

18.  I’d like peace on Earth, and I’ve heard a few times that it has to begin with me, so I’d like to remember to smile and hug these small people when I really feel like crawling behind the fridge and eating chocolate.

19. I’d still like chocolate.

20. And I guess last, Santa, I’d like to remember to be grateful – for the opportunity to homeschool, for this chance to watch my kids grow and learn–and for the memories we are making every day.

Because the truth is, I already have so much. I just want to remember to see that.

Yeah – I think that’s the gift I want this year most of all.

What would your homeschool mom heart appreciate most of all this year?

Originally published on December 20, 2013

Category: family time

About Kara Anderson

Kara is a homeschooling mom of 13 years, with a goal of encouraging fellow mamas in connection, not perfection. She also's the happy co-host of The Homeschool Sisters podcast and author of More Than Enough: Grow Your Confidence, Banish Burnout and Love Your Homeschool Life.

Previous Post: « And then they hated math: My journey into unschooling
Next Post: A dose of homeschool inspiration »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel @ 6512 and growing

    December 20, 2013 at 8:10 am

    LOVED this.
    All of them, but particularly 10, 15, and 16.
    Rachel @ 6512 and growing’s latest post: Parenting is really hard. And we’re all doing a really good job.

    Reply
  2. Ann

    December 20, 2013 at 8:12 am

    Loved it! Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  3. Erin

    December 20, 2013 at 8:59 am

    Nancy Drew read by Laura Linney!! I love it!

    Reply
  4. Penny

    December 20, 2013 at 9:10 am

    Awesome, awesome, awesome. I totally hope this goes viral in the homeschooling world.

    Reply
  5. Pam @ Everyday Snapshots

    December 20, 2013 at 9:16 am

    Absolutely fabulous — especially numbers 20, 17, 16 and (AHEM) number 11. And the part about not trying to do all the things on Pinterest — which needs more things like this instead. So, I pinned it to my homeschool board. 😉
    Pam @ Everyday Snapshots’s latest post: Christmas Planner Link-up :: Living Liturgy

    Reply
  6. Jelena

    December 20, 2013 at 9:19 am

    Oh, I would just copy half of yours wishes. They’re beautiful. Right at this moment I wish to have more patience, more understanding so I can give more hugs and kisses and contribute to world peace with making peace in my heart stronger.
    I would also wish for a little bit more sleep.

    Reply
  7. Melinda

    December 20, 2013 at 9:59 am

    I would ask for grace. Grace to see beyond what I call failures. Grace to cover my mistakes. Grace to realize that I don’t have to be perfect at homeschooling. Yes. Grace would be good.
    Of course, more field trips would be pretty awesome too. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Angela

    December 20, 2013 at 10:24 am

    Loved this! So glad I’m not the only one with an amazon cart waiting period! 😉 Encouraging and lovely writing here. (3, 8, 15 and 17 are my faves).

    Reply
    • Kara

      December 20, 2013 at 3:45 pm

      Yes! Especially with Prime. Prime is the best/worst.
      (Mostly best.) 🙂
      Kara’s latest post: Holidays, letting in, and letting go.

      Reply
  9. Colleen

    December 20, 2013 at 10:40 am

    Seriously in tears, first from laughing then from the heart. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kara

      December 20, 2013 at 3:46 pm

      Aww. Thanks Colleen.
      Kara’s latest post: Holidays, letting in, and letting go.

      Reply
  10. Charmaine

    December 20, 2013 at 10:52 am

    Really, really loved this. Number 11 made me laugh way too hard as I’m currently on the computer checking “just one thing”! 😉

    Reply
    • Kara

      December 20, 2013 at 3:46 pm

      Me too 😉
      Kara’s latest post: Holidays, letting in, and letting go.

      Reply
  11. Amber

    December 20, 2013 at 11:17 am

    Wonderful! Our really hit the nail on the head with these – both the funny and poignant ones.

    Reply
  12. Pamela R

    December 20, 2013 at 11:26 am

    Much of this hits oh so close to home. Thanks.

    Reply
  13. Isis- Little Mountain Haven

    December 20, 2013 at 11:53 am

    I’m beginning the homeschooling journey for our 3.5 year old and I feel so grateful to be able to. I love this site so much!
    Laughed so hard at #11. Just the other day I thought the line was down and spend a whole day in bliss (and withdrawal twitching) yet the kids had unplugged it and didn’t bother to check.
    I’ve just started ‘escaping’ from the house on Saturdays to have ‘me’ time and I feel ever so re-freshed, I don’t know why I haven’t bothered in the past.
    #17 Yes. Yes. Yes.
    Isis- Little Mountain Haven’s latest post: Heirloom Review: Rouge Vif D’etampes

    Reply
  14. brooke

    December 20, 2013 at 11:54 am

    I love this! And I have banned Pinterest from my life. It no longer exists for me.

    Reply
  15. lanelle

    December 20, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    thank you for the laughs! needed this as my oldest is turning 5 soon and the panic is starting to set in : )

    Reply
  16. Casey

    December 20, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    This. Was. Perfect.
    Casey’s latest post: Lego Geometry – Circles

    Reply
  17. Dawn

    December 20, 2013 at 8:36 pm

    Thank you for the beautiful reminder.

    Reply
  18. Annie

    December 20, 2013 at 10:35 pm

    No. 11 LOL!!!

    Reply
  19. Deanna

    December 21, 2013 at 8:33 am

    Love! I’m sure Santa will fulfill all your wishes! And number 12 is Awesome!!!
    Deanna’s latest post: A Pictures Says a Thousand Words

    Reply
  20. sisterofmoses

    December 21, 2013 at 9:13 am

    This made me laugh and cry simultaneously. So beautifully and perfectly written! You soooo get it, and it helps to know I’m not alone in my imperfect carrying out of the awesome responsibility of homeschooling. God bless you and your family this Christmas!!

    Reply
  21. Emmie

    December 21, 2013 at 4:12 pm

    Okay, how am I laughing and tearing up at the same time? This is so wonderful! Thank you!
    Emmie’s latest post: And the stockings were (almost) hung…

    Reply
  22. Hannah

    December 21, 2013 at 11:28 pm

    “Taze me.” LOLOLOL. Yes, please do. I need a lot of tazing.

    Reply
  23. Amy @ A Journey of Purpose

    December 22, 2013 at 6:35 am

    These are fantastic! Funny and touching… I’m sure this rings true with homeschool moms everywhere…
    Amy @ A Journey of Purpose’s latest post: Give A Gift of Time

    Reply
  24. sheila

    December 22, 2013 at 7:34 am

    That is just perfect. Absolutely perfect!!
    Thanks for the smile this morning.
    sheila’s latest post: Sunday Selections

    Reply
  25. Susan E

    December 22, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    I laughed and cried at the same time too! What a wonderful letter!
    Do you think Santa would notice if I sent almost the identical letter? Except I don’t even try to do anything on Pinterest except pin things that in my dream world I would someday make.
    Thanks for the pre-Christmas gift, Kara.

    Reply
    • Kara Anderson

      December 22, 2013 at 5:14 pm

      Aww. You’re welcome Susan. I don’t think he would notice it all. 😉 Merry Christmas!

      Reply
  26. Christine

    December 23, 2013 at 3:48 am

    Brilliant!

    Reply
  27. Lindsay

    December 24, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    Love this! And thanks to you, I now know to only ask for printer cartridges for Christmas. My kids were so excited that all of mine are currently almost empty. Like I’d won Bingo or something.

    Reply
  28. Perola

    December 24, 2013 at 7:36 pm

    I promise you when you look back on your home school experience all the self doubt and questions will be but a faint memory. What they will remember is the time you spent with them, not the bad day when nothing went right and the science project was an epic fail. I had many days where I questioned if I was doing the right thing by home schooling my daughter. She is a well rounded, creative , and loving individual. She is not socially awkward and is comfortable in her own skin.
    My daughter (now 26) would say homeschooling was a success. She told her friends she would home school her children ( no babies yet).
    I hope this is helpful to someone out there.
    P.S. I love your list a lot of this was not available when I home schooled my daughter Becky.

    Reply
  29. Laurie

    December 25, 2013 at 7:35 am

    As, my kids grow older and become great thinkers, I know that the kid will be fine. Merry Christmas.

    Reply
  30. Mum23boyz

    December 27, 2013 at 12:10 am

    Mine is close to #10: I want my future self to come back to me and tell me if I did something wrong and what I need to do to correct it now, so they will grow up to be men of honor, integrity and virtue who serve their King with all their hearts, souls, mind and body.

    Reply
  31. Monique B.

    December 22, 2014 at 8:15 am

    I can relate to all of these! A well-written, enjoyable read. Thank you.
    Monique B.’s latest post: Nature by the Numbers | December 2014

    Reply
  32. Erin - The Usual Mayhem

    December 22, 2014 at 11:02 am

    Yes to all of the above, especially the future me, Bill Nye, and chocolate. Merry Christmas!
    Erin – The Usual Mayhem’s latest post: Easy Christmas gift to sew: Portable dollhouse

    Reply
  33. Caitie

    December 22, 2014 at 11:16 am

    I adore every single thing on this list. It’s the best thing I’ve read all week (and I read quite a bit!)… thank you so much for writing it and sharing it with us. I never imagined myself on this homeschooling path but now I cannot imagine myself anywhere else. 🙂
    Caitie’s latest post: Game Review: No Stress Chess

    Reply
  34. Kim in Phx

    December 22, 2014 at 11:21 am

    Thank you! Thank you! You made me laugh and cry at the same time. #10 made tears spring to my eyes – I must really want that! Is that on Amazon? : ) I’ll trade you my 6 years of French for your 4 yrs of Spanish. What was I thinking?

    Merry Christmas and God bless you and yours! Warmly, Kim

    Reply
  35. Leigh Owens

    December 22, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    LOVE it!! All except #14. This made me laugh so hard. Thank you.

    Reply
  36. Rustell

    December 22, 2014 at 5:53 pm

    I only owe the library $8.40 and immediately following reading your blog I went and picked up the 6 books waiting for us! This was great.!

    Reply
  37. shevrae

    December 23, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    Not sure if you’ll get Bill Nye back – but Smarter Every Day is a favorite around our house. https://www.youtube.com/user/destinws2

    Reply
  38. Kelli

    December 23, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    I was seriously laughing out loud at #6. I watch Downtown Abbey Sunday evenings after the kids are in bed and I am getting work boxes ready. The list is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  39. Charlene

    December 23, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    Loved this! It truly made my night 🙂

    Reply
  40. Mark

    May 11, 2016 at 11:17 am

    9xOJZg http://www.y7YwKx7Pm6OnyJvolbcwrWdoEnRF29pb.com

    Reply

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