Not So Little Berry

It's been so long since I've posted here. In many ways, I outgrew this space, but it still feels like home. I'm sitting right now at the park with our 2yo Izah while Little Berry is at school. After many years of unschooling, Mads decided this year to try public school, and it's going about as well as you'd expect. The kids are mean, mean, mean. They say the most hurtful things to the kindest kids. Mads comes home every day completely exhausted from the emotional toil of fending off bullies every minute of recess. It's not a healthy or sustainable way to spend ones days, and I doubt we will last at this school till Christmas. Honestly, I'm more worried about Maddison choosing to continue (out of fear of disappointing papa, the teacher, etc) than I am about Mads quitting. Mads, I assume someday you will read this, and it's really the only reason I'm here writing. Papa and I love you so much. It breaks our hearts to hear how mean kids are to you and the knowledge that there's an adult behind each of them who is just as cruel. You are so brave and tolerant of others. You do such an amazing job of putting up with cruel insults and tauts, even when we tell you you don't have to do it anymore. I hope you know that you are the bravest, fiercest, most amazing young human. I'm so proud to be your mom.