11/07/2022
ON TURNING 21
Dear Friends and Families of Homeschool Garden,
This new school year HsG turned 21. I remember turning 21, I was nearly 2 months into motherhood, something I had dreamed about since I got married to my high school sweetheart at 18. It was a chilly winter in Los Angeles and I felt very alone. I had taken a quarter off of college to sink into motherhood and be with my baby. I was the first of my friends to have a baby. And had already returned to work. A full time position had opened up where I would be able to bring my baby boy with me. The only thing is that I needed to start immediately. Not the normal life I would say for most 21 year olds. Just typing it now I am amazed how well I did. Lol And not only as a mother, also as a daughter, as an employee, and as a partner. I think back then I didn't see everything that was happening as challenges, I actually saw these choices as everyday normal, this is what you do. And I am grateful for the naivety at the time.Now, I just want to squeeze my 21 year old self and tell her it’s ok to slow down.
About two months later my marriage would crumble. And my son and I would start attending RIE™ parent and infant classes. I remember checking in repeatedly about when the classes would start because there was so much I wanted to learn. And no idea the community it would create for me and my little one. Once a week I took two hours off of work to join the class, convincing my employer that it was educational for me as a parent and a resource for me as a teacher, sharing that I would be a great student learning from Magda Ge**er the founder of RIE and her live-in pupil Deborah Greenwald. It was the best two hours of my week.
Little did I know it would inspire me to go through the complete RIE practicum and a mere 4 years later start Homeschool Garden. With every step forward during the course of the 3 year training I thought my studies were to learn to be a better mom for my children. Little did I know I would be learning to be a better observer, so that I can be a better facilitator for many other children and their families.
Homeschool Garden was born out of the desire to create a space for my children where the RIE principles would be practiced, the children respected, seen as capable beings, heard and care to be individualized. Where emotions were not bypassed but given space to be present with. It is not easy work. And I love it. And now Homeschool Garden is 21.
Over the last 21 years we have created a space where kids explore the outdoors, climb, dig, run, build, laugh and more. We have moved 6 times over the last 21 years and each time we have been able to create an oasis of trees and growing gardens. And for that we are very grateful. And now it is time for us to move again. Our current home to Homeschool Garden has been tagged for demolition. They will be clearing the lot to make way for 6 smaller units. We acknowledge we were very fortunate to have survived during the pandemic. It was our closest awakening to what this inflation and move is costing us now.
For these reasons we have put a fundraiser together. This is not only a fundraiser for us to fund Homeschool Garden’s move to a new home it is to SAVE HsG from closing its doors after 21 years of serving families.
Please consider supporting by making a donation today.
Other Ways You Can Help as well, is to Get the Word Out by sharing our Fundraising Page
We appreciate all your support.
Kindly Yours,
Erica
Homeschool Garden
Save Homeschool Garden Help HOMESCHOOL GARDEN reach their goal by donating or sharing with your friends.
08/21/2020
06/02/2020
08/13/2019
05/04/2019
04/26/2019
04/25/2019
04/18/2019