Old Sarge Introduction

[Old Sarge]

You have a rare opportunity in literally growing your children more than most parents. I bet you will look back on this time twenty to thirty years from now with great satisfaction! And, while the children likely don't appreciate your efforts now, they will look back at these times differently as well.

Absolutely. I enjoy most of the process and we go to a community day each Monday and go over the weeks lesson materials. It is a great group and gives the kids time to interact with others their age. Homeschooling also allows me to keep an eye on my kids development more closely. I struggled with severe depression from a very young age and it can run in families. I'm really glad I can talk to my kids about it and watch to be sure they don't struggle with it. I didn't talk to anyone about it until I was 29 and that was only the beginning of a long struggle to get to the point I'm at now we're its not a constant problem. I'm 44 now and have had very little struggle with the depression for the last 4 years.
There are struggles with homeschool and I have to remind the older 2 that public school wasn't any easier, especially with the amount of homework they came home with each day.

I'm sure your oldest is getting to the point with the others not far behind where they want to participate in some sort of sport of activity. Then it will be game on when you get all three going three different directions at the same time! 

Yeah, depression is a tough nut. Runs in my family and quite frankly I know about it first hand and really don't talk about it. Having done twenty years in the military, there is quite the stigma surrounding mental health. Once you attain a certain rank and more importantly, once you get a security clearance, you've really got to go in the closet with any mental health issues. Considering the last twenty years and many troops deploying in and out of war zones on an all too regular basis, the military did change a bit in dealing with PTSD. Having been retired almost 12 years to the day and no longer working a contractor position where a security clearance was involved, it's difficult not to still just suck it up and carry on like I did for so many years!

I know we're well off the shaving talk, but since this is my introduction thread and it's been great getting to know folks I guess we are OK.

Good chat!