As someone who taught at both a college and a university, I am fully aware that college is not for everyone. I’ve seen students thrive. I’ve seen students flounder. I’ve seen students waste money because they were there for all the wrong reasons.
But as a momma? I knew in my bones that college was the best next step for our son.
Here’s the twist: knowing something and pushing something are not the same thing.
And because he isn’t my first child, I also knew this was a season to keep my opinions mostly to myself.
The Young Man in Question
A few things about him:
He’s wildly smart across a wide range of subjects.
He loves a good debate.
He hates wasting money.
And he had absolutely no idea what he wanted to major in.
He loves a good debate.
He hates wasting money.
And he had absolutely no idea what he wanted to major in.
Translation? He wasn’t convinced college made sense.
My husband and I respected that. Truly. But when we asked what he wanted to do instead, there wasn’t an answer. So I made a very simple request:
“Just apply to four or five schools. That doesn’t mean you have to go. It just means you’ll have options.”
You may remember that he didn’t even apply until January of his senior year. Yes, January. We are living proof that the cultural frenzy to have your entire life mapped out by junior year is… unnecessary.
Acceptance letters started rolling in not long after. I asked him to visit one or two campuses. Not commit. Just look.
The First Visit: Logical and Underwhelming
The first school that accepted him offered a solid scholarship package. He attended admitted student day, sat in on a class, came home… and was completely unimpressed.
“The class wasn’t any harder than my dual enrollment classes at the community college. Why would I pay for that?”
It was a fair point. A logical one. I couldn’t argue with him.
So I didn’t.
The School We Quietly Hoped For
Then came the email from the school my husband and I secretly thought would be perfect for him. They invited him to compete for a full four-year scholarship.
It also happened to be one of the only schools we know that stacks scholarships for Eagle Scouts on top of academic awards. As parents of an Eagle Scout, that caught our attention.
I encouraged him to interview. “If nothing else,” I told him, “interview experience is always valuable.”
He agreed.
The event was incredible. The students were sharp. The faculty engaged. The parents’ panel honest and encouraging. It felt different.
But at the end of the day?
Still no decision.
The Unexpected Voice of Clarity
The next day, families were invited to tour campus more casually, so our youngest daughter came along.
About an hour in, she leaned over and whispered, “This is the perfect fit for him.”
I asked why.
“Everyone is so smart and polite. Just like he is.”
Out of the mouths of siblings.
I told her I agreed — and also told her not to say a word. The last thing we wanted was for him to feel pressured.
The Campus Store Moment
If you’ve never toured colleges, this may sound ridiculous, but our oldest daughter bought a shirt or sweatshirt at every campus she visited — even ones she didn’t attend. Apparently this is a thing.
We ended the day in the campus store.
And y’all… I wanted a sticker for my car so badly.
But he still hadn’t said a word.
As we wandered between racks of hoodies and shelves of branded mugs, I finally asked:
“Okay. If not here… then where?”
He looked down and quietly said, “I made up my mind months ago. I just didn’t think you’d believe me.”
I’m fairly certain my jaw actually hit the floor.
“I want to go here.”
I was thrilled. Not because he chose what we hoped — but because I truly believed this place would stretch him, sharpen him, and surround him with people who would challenge him in the best ways.
But I had to know.
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
He hesitated. Then softly said, “What if I come here and then don’t like it?”
Oh, that momma heart moment.
This wasn’t indecision. It was weight. Responsibility. The fear of making the wrong choice.
So I told him the simplest truth I could:
“Then you leave and do something else. Not a problem.”
The Shift
I wish you could have seen him.
His shoulders lifted. His eyes came up from the floor. The heaviness evaporated.
Within minutes he was talking about:
- Getting a new bookbag
- Campus jobs
- Whether he’d need a used car
- Classes he thought would interest him
Suddenly, his future felt exciting again.
And yes. I bought the sticker.
The Real Lesson (For Me)
This wasn’t a story about picking the “right” college.
It was a lesson in patience.
In not forcing the outcome I thought was best.
In giving him the tools to evaluate wisely — and then having the courage to step back and let him use them.
This time, his decision aligned with what we had quietly hoped for. But I’m not naïve. It easily could have gone another direction. And I had already done the internal work to be supportive no matter what he chose.
Because at the end of the day, the win wasn’t the school.
The win was watching him own his decision.
For the Parents in the Back
If your child waits until the last minute…
If they change their mind…
If they consider a gap year…
If they pivot entirely…
If they change their mind…
If they consider a gap year…
If they pivot entirely…
Breathe.
Our job isn’t to control the outcome.
It’s to prepare them for it.
It’s to prepare them for it.
When they know they can choose — and that home remains steady no matter what — that’s when you see the confidence return.
(And for those who love a spoiler: he made Dean’s List his first semester, found an incredible group of friends, and is thriving.
And to the people who still insist homeschooling ruins college chances? We’ll just quietly smile over here.)
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I may earn a small commission—paid by the retailer, not you. It’s one of the ways I support this little business of mine, and it allows me to keep writing, sharing, and chronicling life here at Ginnyhoo. As always, I only recommend things I truly use, love, or would happily tell a friend about across the kitchen table.
When School Closes: Learning Still Happens (Promise)
Every time schools close because of weather, I see the same concerns start bubbling up. What are we going to do? What about school? Are they going to fall behind?
And every single time, my mind flashes back to the government shutdown almost six years ago.
Back then, so many of my friends took to social media in full-on panic mode, spiraling over what to do with their children’s education. In an effort to calm the waters, I made what I thought was a fairly harmless suggestion:
Take a break. Build a blanket fort.
You would have thought I suggested canceling education altogether.
People I know in real life — including several sorority sisters — absolutely lambasted me online. (Two months later, those same people were buying IKEA frames for elaborate, aesthetic blanket forts… but I digress.)
So, at the risk of being ridiculed once again, I want to offer a few ideas for learning at home when school is closed. Take ’em or leave ’em. Modify them for different ages. Use what works, skip what doesn’t.
At the end of the day, the choice belongs to the parents.
Ideas for Learning at Home (In No Particular Order)
Read.
Read to or with your younger children, and let your teen read something that actually interests them. The “level” doesn’t matter (that arbitrary label is a discussion for another day).
Ranger’s Apprentice for the millionth time? Great.
Automotive, gardening, or fashion magazines? Still reading.
The goal is engaging the brain with the written word — nothing more, nothing less.
Read to or with your younger children, and let your teen read something that actually interests them. The “level” doesn’t matter (that arbitrary label is a discussion for another day).
Ranger’s Apprentice for the millionth time? Great.
Automotive, gardening, or fashion magazines? Still reading.
The goal is engaging the brain with the written word — nothing more, nothing less.
Cook together.
Cooking is one of the best learning activities out there. Math, science, reading, and even history can all make an appearance with a little curiosity. It’s also a life skill and a way for kids to contribute to the family — which makes it a favorite around our house.
Cooking is one of the best learning activities out there. Math, science, reading, and even history can all make an appearance with a little curiosity. It’s also a life skill and a way for kids to contribute to the family — which makes it a favorite around our house.
Research a winter historical event.
Turn it into a “Have You Ever Wondered” game: What would we have done if we’d been there? It sparks imagination, discussion, and critical thinking without feeling like an assignment.
Turn it into a “Have You Ever Wondered” game: What would we have done if we’d been there? It sparks imagination, discussion, and critical thinking without feeling like an assignment.
Go birdwatching.
This is a great time of year for it. Keep it simple or make it academic — your choice.
Younger kids can identify birds or count how many they see in a short sitting. Older kids can do deeper research. No bird feeder? Scatter seed on the ground or make one with pine cones, pie tins, peanut butter, and birdseed.
This is a great time of year for it. Keep it simple or make it academic — your choice.
Younger kids can identify birds or count how many they see in a short sitting. Older kids can do deeper research. No bird feeder? Scatter seed on the ground or make one with pine cones, pie tins, peanut butter, and birdseed.
Lean into Valentine’s Day.
Younger kids can practice fine motor skills cutting out hearts (no fancy supplies needed — old magazines and Amazon box paper work just fine).
Older kids can learn what a sonnet is and try writing one. Feeling adventurous? Research the real St. Valentine. (Parents, preview first.)
Younger kids can practice fine motor skills cutting out hearts (no fancy supplies needed — old magazines and Amazon box paper work just fine).
Older kids can learn what a sonnet is and try writing one. Feeling adventurous? Research the real St. Valentine. (Parents, preview first.)
Never underestimate play.
So much learning happens through “just playing.” Always has. Always will.Talk about civic virtue — then act on it.
Have a discussion about good deeds and responsibility, then find a neighbor who needs help digging out.
So much learning happens through “just playing.” Always has. Always will.Talk about civic virtue — then act on it.
Have a discussion about good deeds and responsibility, then find a neighbor who needs help digging out.
Explore a foreign language.
In our house, one child fluent in Spanish enjoys speaking it to his sibling who takes French. She’s finally learned enough to respond back, with me interjecting in English so no one gets too annoying.
If you’d prefer less sibling chaos, YouTube is a great place to learn something like ASL together.
In our house, one child fluent in Spanish enjoys speaking it to his sibling who takes French. She’s finally learned enough to respond back, with me interjecting in English so no one gets too annoying.
If you’d prefer less sibling chaos, YouTube is a great place to learn something like ASL together.
Help with the grocery list.
Budgeting, math, and economics all wrapped into one very practical life skill.
Budgeting, math, and economics all wrapped into one very practical life skill.
Do household chores together.
Even toddlers can help. Responsibility, sequencing, motor skills — it all counts.
Even toddlers can help. Responsibility, sequencing, motor skills — it all counts.
Presidents’ Day is coming up.
Read about Washington and Lincoln with younger kids. Older students can research lesser-known facts about either (or both).
Read about Washington and Lincoln with younger kids. Older students can research lesser-known facts about either (or both).
Memorize something.
Quotes, Bible verses, poems, speeches — whatever fits your family.
Have competitive kids? Turn it into a challenge. Mine will memorize anything just to prove they can. Not competitive? Offer a reward that motivates them.
Quotes, Bible verses, poems, speeches — whatever fits your family.
Have competitive kids? Turn it into a challenge. Mine will memorize anything just to prove they can. Not competitive? Offer a reward that motivates them.
Play games and do puzzles.
Board games, cards, puzzles — pick your family’s favorites.
Remember what I said about being competitive? Around here, you could lose a finger playing Dutch Blitz. Trivial Pursuit is currently king, and the college student and I text daily about how we did on Connections and Wordle.
Board games, cards, puzzles — pick your family’s favorites.
Remember what I said about being competitive? Around here, you could lose a finger playing Dutch Blitz. Trivial Pursuit is currently king, and the college student and I text daily about how we did on Connections and Wordle.
There are so many options out there for games that are fun and mentally stimulating.
Winter Olympics project.
Have your student create a modern-day scrapbook. I still have parts of the one my 7th-grade English teacher assigned.
It can include stats (math), athlete backgrounds (language arts), country flags (geography)… the possibilities are endless.
Have your student create a modern-day scrapbook. I still have parts of the one my 7th-grade English teacher assigned.
It can include stats (math), athlete backgrounds (language arts), country flags (geography)… the possibilities are endless.
One Last Thought
Let these ideas inspire you to come up with some of your own. Most of all, let them take the worry off your mind about a few days away from “school.”
Learning is still happening.
You’re keeping their minds engaged just fine. 💛
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I may earn a small commission—paid by the retailer, not you. It’s one of the ways I support this little business of mine, and it allows me to keep writing, sharing, and chronicling life here at Ginnyhoo. As always, I only recommend things I truly use, love, or would happily tell a friend about across the kitchen table.
Our third child taught us all kinds of new things beyond dealing with hangry. (Oh, did you miss that entertaining discussion? You can check it out here.)
My mention of stopping a tantrum in its tracks raised a lot of questions. Yes, we had attempted all the “tried and true” methods (after all, third kid, not our first rodeo), but she was a different, fabulous personality. The only thing that worked to calm her down was Joy. Yep, it’s very aptly named. There were times she was really upset that we had to convince her to rub it over her heart, but on other days she would recognize the feeling, grab the bottle, and put a drop or two on herself.
After seeing how well Joy worked and how much our little one liked using oils by herself, we decided to give her a set of oils that would all be her own, teach her how to use them, and leave them in a place her little hands could reach. Two quickly became her faves: Owie and TummyGize.
An active childhood comes with lots of bumps and bruises earned through fun times, plus the occasional skinned knee or elbow. Our daughter kept Owie close at hand and dripped it on as needed. She also quickly realized that a day of roller coasters or eating too much junk with her grandparents meant she needed a drop of two of TummyGize in her belly button to calm a tummy that was topsy turvy.
She learned that Sleepyize in her Feather the Owl diffuser at night meant she would have good rest and the nightmares stayed away. Days spent in falling leaves or spring flowers blooming had her rubbing Snifflease on her chest. The greatest gift as parents was watching her intuitively know what her body needed and that she had the confidence to use it.
Maybe it was because she started using essential oils on her own at such a young age, but GeneYus was the last one she grabbed. That doesn’t mean she hasn’t put it to good use! Once she hit school age and figured out how much this blend diffused helped her brain during lesson times, it quickly moved up her favorite list.
We don’t have KidPower yet, but it is already on her wish list, especially once she heard it smells like Orange Creamsicle. Knowing that it helps kids balance their emotions, especially considering the difficult time we are all enduring, makes it a blend the rest of our house wants, too.
Those are simply the highlights of why we love these KidScents oils. When you are ready to hear more about our journey, recipes, and other fun ideas, you are welcome to join our entertaining FB group. For those ready to jump in with both feet, here you go!
The other cool thing is that we use all of these oils on our pets, too, and we we have some great bonus tips on that.
Have questions? Ready to learn more? I'd love to chat!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I may earn a small commission—paid by the retailer, not you. It’s one of the ways I support this little business of mine, and it allows me to keep writing, sharing, and chronicling life here at Ginnyhoo. As always, I only recommend things I truly use, love, or would happily tell a friend about across the kitchen table.
The other day, someone mentioned their hangry child to me. I said, “Oh, I feel ya! We went through that with our youngest, and it was so great to find tips to help her, especially the ones that made her recognize the signs for herself as a toddler.” The other person gave me this bewildered look like I had discovered world peace, so I thought maybe I should share the “tricks of the trade” in case I can spare some other parents from the epic HANGRY meltdown.
Our third child came out of the womb ready to rock and roll. She wanted to learn from and explore everything, and making time to stop for something as silly as eating was not her idea of fun. Sure, when I was breastfeeding, she was captive and I could get her to eat. Once she weaned herself, that all changed. I quickly learned to keep track of how often she ate, and I started trying out different ways to get a toddler to recognize her hangry signs. After lots of trial and error, here are the three things that worked for us.
1. Feed the Child
Okay, if you are going DUH right now, you’ve never experienced a hangry child. They get themselves so worked up and distraught that they pitch a full on fit about eating, even when that is exactly what their little bodies need. I learned to make sure my child had a small, healthy snack every 2-3 hours. I kept easily portable options in the diaper bag and my pocketbook for unknown occasions. Perhaps most importantly, I taught her the “one bite” rule: even if she didn’t want to eat, I needed her to take one bite of something, or we would have to stop whatever fun activity we were doing. That one bite was usually enough to make her body and mind realize she needed more, and the meltdown was averted.
2. Communicate the Feeling
Every parent knows how hard it is not to lose your own cool when your little one has a tantrum. If both sides find a way to communicate with each other, you can easily deal with your hangry one. The first step is for the adult to recognize the signs and verbalize to the child “your body needs some food” (or whatever you want to say.) This will help the toddler put thoughts to the feeling, even if they aren’t verbal. In fact, we used sign language with her because she didn’t have the words yet to tell us about emotions and a rumbly tumbly. Empowering her with communication made a big difference!
3. Finding Emotional Support
This was the game-changer for us. If you’ve ever been hangry, you know it makes your emotions topsy-turvy, too. Imagine being a little kid and not knowing why you suddenly feel so distraught, angry, or upset. You can give your child a quiet place in the house to sit and try to calm down (after you’ve tried the above recommendations), and you can teach them calm breathing/mediation techniques. For us, the only thing that worked was emotional blends of essential oils meant to calm the body and mind. Yeah, I know, it sounds wacky and woo-woo. I thought so, too, until I saw a tantrum stopped in its tracks. We had a new friend come over, and our youngest came running into the house in tears, grabbed an oil bottle, applied to herself, sat for about 2 minutes, and ran back out, all happy to play. That friend looked at me and said, “I need a vat of that stuff.” I replied, “Sure, but it only takes a couple drops.” ;)
If you are ready for more details of how the process worked for us, or you want to keep up with our other shenanigans, I can't wait to have you join me here.
Have questions? I can't wait to chat with you!
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase within a certain time frame, I may earn a small commission—paid by the retailer, not you. It’s one of the ways I support this little business of mine, and it allows me to keep writing, sharing, and chronicling life here at Ginnyhoo. As always, I only recommend things I truly use, love, or would happily tell a friend about across the kitchen table.
