My children

Last week i turned up to mosaic the bench and told a friend that Oisin was learning fire clubs at circus school. What a life you children led, said Kevin. Imagine being able to juggle fire clubs. I suppose it is true, they do led some life. I don't know how it will all pan out, but part of this parenting is learning to let go. Saying to myself, i do not believe in the system which puts children through unnecessary pain. So i have chosen this for them. We have been very lucky that the teachers that we have had in the school are fantastic. And the curriculum is amazing. We don't do all of the curriculum, but we are able to deliver quite a good part of it adequately. For instance Oisin knows his way around a woodwork bench and Ghin can weave willow competently. Both of them knit and sew and they draw and cook and do a hundred of other things besides apart from read and do maths. Or take exams.

But this means letting go of all the things which society says are important - like grades and test results and learning certain things by a certain time. Then there is the complete absence of the traditional sports. Oisin did try doing some tennis and football and some swimming, but it has been circus and wushu that has stuck for him. And for Ghin it is kendo and circus. They play computer games. They hang out with friends. We spend a lot of time outdoors. And that is about it.

I have stopped questioning whether this is the right thing for them because i can see that it has been. As the world enters its total meltdown phase i can see that the skills which they have learnt, most particularly the skill of getting along with other people, will be very important. What is childhood for? For learning things. Getting grades is beside the point. Life is completely random. People who have gone to famous universities whom i know personally have jobs which i wouldn't cross the road for. Jobs which have nothing to do with their true soul quality. I knew a friend who wanted to be a poet and now he manages casino legislation. Another one who have loved to travel the world and draw it, and now he is managing marine legislation. Someone else wants to do social work and they ended up... well, the story goes on and on. What is common in all these things which they have been forced to do is that while what they would have chosen would enrich their souls and make the world a better place - or at the very least do no harm - what they are chosen is actually not very good for the world and beyond the status and the money, it is not really who they are.

Now there is nothing to say that Oisin won't become a merchant banker, but that would be his choice. In fact, if he chose to be a merchant banker or a dealer at a blackjack table or manage an orchestra or be a tiler or engineer, it does not matter. The point is that he has been given the time to choose, to let his soul form and then to learn to follow it. That is the gift i give him and Ghin.

I also know that i tried my very best. Maybe that best was a wrong best - but it was my best.

Anyway, who knows, these imponderables. In the mean time, Oisin can juggle fire clubs!!! How tote awesome and cool is that?!