Our children have never been to school—we've been homeschooling them from birth. Homeschooling is the perfect choice for our family and we enjoy learning all year round. But every year, come August, there is the sense that we are almost "missing out" on the back-to-school frenzy. Every one we meet talks about starting school and the stores are packed with shining new school supplies. Yearly school schedules also influence our schedule, as sports teams start up, clubs start meeting again, and summer daytime activities wind down.

For many homeschoolers, it is not so much a question of missing out on anything, but that distinct sense that something special and new and exciting is supposed to be happening this time of year for school aged children. It is the perfect example of the artificiality of an educational system that does not reflect real life. Although we do see seasonal and cyclical changes in our routines, there is usually not such an abrupt start and stop to most of our endeavors.

Many homeschoolers do choose to have a start and stop date—it provides a welcome framework in which to understand how to approach learning. They enjoy a time off from school work and appreciate knowing when it is time to get back to work. For others, however, learning goes on all the time, especially for unschoolers. For our family, we enjoy the flexibility of being able to respond to life as it happens—holidays can be savored, a new baby doesn't interrupt our schedule, out-of-town visitors don't cramp our style, and vacations happen whenever we'd like them to. When these life events happen, we simply put away the books and learn from our experiences and adventures. When things settle down again, we pick up where we left off, and soon are back in the swing of things.

But back to that August feeling, that dull sense that we should be doing something significant to mark another year. For our family, we've decided that the best way to mark this milestone is a party. We invite whomever we feel shares in our children's joy of learning, and have a "Not Back to School" party. I shop the great sales on school supplies the week before, grabbing the most interesting things I can find. While our children don't need lots of notebooks or a lunchbox, they enjoy receiving supplies they can use as they learn. Craft supplies, glue, glitter pens, stencils, new markers, paints, and many other fun and creative supplies can be found this time of year. We've also picked up backpacks, new clothes, and other gifts that are discounted and can be put to good use by our kids.

We then have a barbecue and a cake and open the presents. It makes for a festive way to mark the end of one year and the beginning of another. It is also a great time to share with each other what we've all learned the past year, what we liked and didn't like, and what we are looking forward to for another year. Whether this party happens in August or any other time of year, it is a fun way to acknowledge the growth both our children and our family has experienced over the past year.