Hedge Family Blog

Okay, so I keep talking about all this cool stuff and I give you no details.  Maybe I am a little scared because some of the things, well a lot of it is left of center.  What if you think I am crazy?  Well, honestly, I don’t care.  You see - this is HUGE for me.  I don’t take risks…ever.  And for some reason, I am so sure that this will work - it will happen.  OK, here is the scoop.

Part One

I am going to go back to school and get my Master’s Degree in a new field called Perinatal Psychology.  In fact, so new that only one place offers it - Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.  It may seem like ducks and bunnies to some (the term for fluffy feelgood stuff - we used it back in the day in consulting all the time), but it works.  I want to work with parents and families and possible work to effect change in our school systems. I will speak, coach and maybe write a book.  I feel the opportunities are endless and will follow the pulls that tug at me.  There is a possibility of a Ph.D. as well.  Originally I was thinking Public Policy which would really be useful in working with the improvements on the school system, but I will take one challenge/degree at a time.  Again, the fact that I would invest money in myself and believe that it will payoff is a new thing for me.  Oddly, once I started to allow myself to dream big, the answers seemed to fall in my lap.  There was sudden clarity and it felt right.

Part Two

Lately I have been stewing that I will be home during arguably the toughest years of my kids’ lives - for me anyway.  Once they become more agreeable and rational, I will ship them off to school and see them much less.  That for me stunk.  I wanted to be with them and play board games on rainy days and take great adventures we could discuss and learn from.  So here is what I am doing - part-time school/homeschooling.  There are a few schools in Austin that are the solution to the “I want to homeschool, but not do it all my own” dilemma.  So basically, Tyler would attend school 3 days a week for 6 hours a day presumable while I am doing my school as well.  Quinn would be in a part-time preschool/Mother’s Day Out program.  I would start this when the kids are 3 and 5.  I would only do the homeschooling thing through 5th grade and then they would attend regular middle school and high school after that.   Obviously, I expect tweaks to all this depending on how the kids do and I do with it.  But I am really excited!

New Philosophies

I am really loving the Waldorf philosophy and plan to implement several of their principles into my days with the kids.  It encourages daily rythms, imaginative play with simple materials and not a lot of toys, and a large integration with the natural world.  All these things really resonate with me and looking at Tyler I think it is a great fit with him.  I have been going crazy reading books and finding all these amazing ideas.  I am reading - that along is amazing since I have read 0 books in the last year - can you tell I am excited?

New Hobbies

I want to learn to knit - well, actually, I used to know how a long time ago, so remember if you will.  I want to knit these little animals for Tyler that I found - so cute!  There are all these craft books in the Waldorf vain that are awesome.  Some even include carving wooden toys.  Before you roll your eyes, I took woodworking classes before Tyler and built a headboard, 2 nightstand and some shelving.  I love working with my hands - I always have.  This philosophy fits me as a parent so well.   I found another amazing book about creating interesting outdoor spaces for kids - like taking wire and bending it in a cave shape and letting ivy vines grow over it to make a cave for kids! How cool is that?  Who needs playground equipment in your backyard?  Let nature provide the fun.  If you want to see any of the books I am lusting after - here they are:

And of course, I signed up for the free Prime trial, so I get free 2-day shipping for the next 20 days.  Why this excited me, I don’t know - but the power of having it now is in my hands and I am feeling corrupted by it! 

New Challenges

My mentor realizing that the main part of my schooling plan was still over two years away from starting, wanted me to get moving on something now since i had such fire around my ideas.  There is a certificate program I can begin working on now in my field.  This course is usually taken my doulas, midwives, etc.  I can get my feet wet and ensure I want to get a degree.  If I do, this certificate will apply towards the Master’s.  Also, my mentor, challenged me to create a class for Lifeworks for Moms.  She said it could even be just talking with the Moms.  She wanted me to take my energy and do something.  I also have people I would love to talk to - a maverick principal at our local elementary school, state legislators who deal with our education system, people who work with parents.  I just want to gather information - I have a lot of assumptions, so I need to listen to people from all walks of life and see how my thoughts hold up.  Believe it or not I even  have some dissertation ideas.   Additionally, there is work I need to do personally.  I need to work on my personal narrative of where I have been and how that affects where I am going.  I will be doing a lot of this with people I work with and walking that road is going to help me relate to those folks I work with.

So Much Going On 

As you can see - I have a lot going on in my head.  So many things I want to do.  I need to find a starting point.  All at once I am working on my story as a person, starting new hobbies, researching and learning a new philosophy, trying to keep up with my changing toddler and provide an environment and meets his needs, starting an education program, gathering reseach, creating classes, etc.   As I list it here, it is overwhelming, but am not even stressed.  It will take effort and focus on my part to stay on the path, but at the same time, I know I will be successful.  I will have a great career and I will do a fantastic job.

Future”Big Picture” Plan 

My future plan is to basically become the breadwinner so that Chris can cut back when he feels ready to focus on his photography full-time.  I realize that he is going to shlep several more years to allow my dream to become a reality and I look forward to returning the favor.  

I am happy.  I have a plan and am creating my own map.  I am finding and making my own path to happiness.  I am doing it my way.   It’s good stuff people!

Photos Courtesy of Alpha Dog Photograhy 

All of these photos are hot off the presses, new, from my hubby.  Actually, I need to get his copyright on them.  I personally think he is way talented.  I just love the images he captures - they really speak to me.  I thought I would steal a couple of them for my post today.   Seriously, I go into his software program and just lift what is new.  You guys wouldn’t get so many cool images of the kids and other stuff if it was just me doing the picture taking!  :-p