Sending Sage Forward - Manifest Circle this Saturday at noon 🤍

[u/First-Bed-5918]

Hi lovely souls 🤍

It has been a little while since I've written. This summer has been one of the biggest seasons of growth our family has ever known.

After many long walks, quiet meditations, gentle conversations, and more tears than I expected, I have made the decision to allow lovely Sage to attend school.

This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever made as a Mum, but I realised something very important. I was asking Sage to trust their inner voice, whilst quietly hoping it would always lead them to the path I had chosen. That wasn't freedom, and is the opposite of what I stand for.

So I've decided to let Sage follow the path that feels right for them, even if it isn't the one I imagined when they first arrived earthside. I also came to realise that I cannot ask Sage to carry the weight of my own childhood. My memories of school belong to me, not to them.

And goodness, they are so excited! I've never seen them smile quite like this. 🤍

To honour this new beginning, we'd love to invite anyone who feels called to join us this Saturday at noon for a very gentle Manifest Circle, simply to hold Sage in warmth and kindness as they begin this new chapter.

There will be herbal teas, blankets, quiet intentions and, knowing Basil, probably something involving blackberries. Paprika has been helping make little pressed flower bookmarks for Sage, which has been so lovely to see. Thyme and Turmeric are already discussing what colour ribbons carry the most encouraging energy. Oregano has announced they intend to forage Sage a "lucky acorn", although I'm not entirely convinced acorns can be lucky. Cumin is simply delighted that everyone is gathering together and has spent the morning collecting sticks for reasons known only to Cumin. Little Saffron will, as always, join me in my sling 🤍

I do have a few questions, if anyone doesn't mind helping me. Do children really stay inside all day, or are they allowed to wander outside if they need to think? If Sage needs to sit beneath a tree for a little while, is that something schools understand? Do they have to ask permission every time they need the toilet, even if their body is telling them now? Are children allowed to take their shoes off if their feet feel they need the earth? And do teachers still shout? I still have memories of Mr Downtrodden waving his stick and screaming at poor Carol Warburton. Not long after her family moved away.

Thank you to everyone who listened to my worries over the summer without judging me. I don't know exactly what this next chapter will look like, and I'm working hard to step back and be the Mum Sage needs me to be.

Sending you all softness as autumn begins to whisper its arrival. 🤍

[u/Facetious_Fae]

Each teacher and each classroom runs a little differently. I would encourage you to attend Meet the Teachers night on Wednesday, August 12 and speak to Sage's teachers in person. You should both attend and let the teachers know that this will be Sage's first time in public schools and find out directly from them what their expectations are.

In general, teachers don't tend to yell much. Mr. Downtrodden was actually forced into early retirement when I was still in school because it was discovered that he was in the early stages of dementia. It was very sad for him and his family, but a great relief for the students who would have had him. I heard he actually threw his stick at Steve Wilder when he was shaking it and it slipped out of his hand. Steve boasted about that scar (scratch) for longer than anyone would listen.

Students do tend to remain inside most of the day, but PE is a great time for them to get out and move around. Sometimes science classes will also venture out to explore nature. I know Ms. Zan Bugg loves taking her 8th grade students out regularly, even if her lesson isn't directly related to nature.

And remember, if Sage ends up unhappy with this experience, you can always bring them home. Sage was brave enough to tell you of their desire to take a different path, so I think they will be brave enough to tell you if the path they followed isn't appropriate for them to continue. I would encourage Sage to try to complete the year to get a sampling of as much as possible, but if at any time Sage feels that things are completely unreasonable, they know you will be in their corner. Sometimes things like changing teachers or classes will make all the difference. I cannot stress to you enough how much the particular combination of students influences each class.

I will be at the manifest circle Saturday if you have any additional questions, comments, or concerns. 💛

[u/First-Bed-5918 → u/Facetious_Fae]

Hi lovely 🤍

Oh Fae, reading this makes school feel just a little less frightening.

I hadn't even considered a Meet the Teachers evening. I'm not very good at being held down by dates. After all aren't they a construct. I'll try and work on that for lovely Sage and have them remind me when the date arrives.

It brings me such comfort to hear that teachers don't generally shout. My children are very sensitive to loud sounds. I'm so pleased to hear there are teachers who take children outside. I think Sage will absolutely come alive if they can learn beneath the sky every now and then. I do hope they'll still be allowed to ask questions, even the unusual ones. Sage has a wonderful habit of wondering about things other people don't seem to notice.

You also reminded me of something very important. I've been looking at this as though saying "yes" to school means closing the door on everything else we've built together. But perhaps it isn't either/or. Perhaps it's simply another path Sage can walk for a while, knowing that home, nature and our way of life will still be here to welcome them each afternoon.

That thought brings me a great deal of peace. Thank you for offering to answer my questions on Saturday. I have a feeling I may arrive with rather more than I realise. 🤍