My sweet J9 often says very insightful but odd things.  One day, he was sitting at the kitchen table.  He looked sad.  When I asked him about what was going on, he replied that he was in need of an office. I did not have a clue where this idea came from or where it was going, but I was curious.  I asked him why he needed an office, and J9 answered, “When you’re in an office, people do what you tell them to.”  Wow, suddenly he wasn’t the only one wanting an office, I wanted one, too.

We have two tables in our kitchen.  One for meals and school work, the other is a drop leaf that was a collection center for coats, books, groceries, random toys, etc.  That table only got cleaned off when company was coming and we needed more seating or room for a buffet.

J9 and I cleaned everything off the dropleaf.  Then we moved the homeschool records, school supplies, unit study box, and printer to that table. We hung a bulletin board.  And TA DA an office for J9 and me.

However, this has turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for him.  People (our family members and the boy next door)  do not do what he tells them to just because he tells them from an office.  J9 has shouted at us, “You’re fired!” (imagine Donald Trump), at least 10 times apiece. However, he does like having his computer time  there.

I am not disappointed at all in our office.  I love it.   It looks better. The organization is an improvement.  Before, our homeschool records were on the hutch in the living room.  The printer , mostly stayed in my bedroom (not convenient).  The unit study box could have been found anywhere (garage, under beds).  Now when one of the kids asks me where their folder is, I tell them, “It’s in the office”, and they actually will find it there.  I print off unit study pages and right away they go into the unit study box.  If we need a crafting supply, we simply look in the tote that’s stored under the table.  I even have a place for our homeschooling support group notebook.

The office is where I sip hot creamy coffee and plan our weeks.  It is where I can meet one on one with each kid to discuss work, grades, schedules, and such. It’s where the calendar and planner can be found.  And of course, the office is where parent-teacher conferences happen (insert a snicker or chuckle here).

Sometimes, the simplest ideas end up being the best ideas. After years of homeschool disorder we finally have some organization.  Our office cost nothing to set up.  We got it together in hardly any time at all.  I find it a wonderful home/ homeschool improvement. The office has become one of the best areas in our home.

Thank you, J9 for the idea.  And just maybe if you paid “your people”, they would do what you tell them to.

betty jo