Five years ago I was approached by a network to host a radio show on a topic of my choosing.
I loved the potential of an opportunity to talk for an hour to myself and invite a guest or two or 100 or more to join me for a few minutes.
I chose Homeschooling as my platform and faithfully broadcast for half a decade with Toginet Radio, never missing a beat.
I learned how to ferret out willing guests, do research, compose questions, relax all of us so we could talk comfortably, record my own shows and finally discover the freedom of editing my audio podcasts so I was no longer tied to a live broadcast every Friday at 12 Noon Central.
My son is a film-maker and he has recently entered the podcasting world with a couple of his friends in California and has formed his own network with several shows already up and running.
He called me one week and asked,
“What number show are you broadcasting this week?”
“231,” I said.
“I just put up show number 11! We have a long way to go to catch up with you Mum!”
When I first took on the commitment I’d written the third draft of my book, Homeschooling is Not Corporate America and my role as personal guide to my children was winding down. I was facing redundancy and an empty nest.
I used my new show as a vehicle to read excerpts from, and edit, my book into a final draft for publication…sometime in the future. I finished the read/edit after a year and popped it in my desk drawer after changing the title to The Sociable Homeschooler to help with branding.
I honed my conversation techniques and made many friends on-line, something I’d always cautioned my children against.
During my five years as a host I tailored and polished a website, which I updated weekly.
I started a new blog (this one) to chronicle my life as an empty nester and keep my family and friends in the loop as hubs and I travelled between America and London and eventually became homeless and nomadic.
I began writing a memoir about the last four years of my parents’ lives. They had both passed away during my early career as a radio show host.
One morning I caught my eye in the mirror and said,
“I don’t want to be looking at you in ten years with two (maybe more) unpublished books in my desk drawer.”
I decided to do something about it and that something was to put a temporary hold on my weekly internet show. The decision was not an easy one but I gave myself enough notice and counted down the last 25 broadcasts with growing enthusiasm.
My life was no longer only about The Sociable Homeschooler.
I had house sitting assignments to fulfill, children to help with projects many and varied, a property to search for with hubs, a revolving door to maintain, our dream barn home to build and a kettle to keep on the boil.
During the next six months I absolutely have to finish my two books.
I have given my son some time to catch up with me.
“Oooh, thanks Mum…” he said sardonically. But his network is growing fast!
While he was visiting for Christmas he brought all his podcasting equipment with him and recorded hubs
and me
telling the backstory about how we met and why we homeschooled.
I used the why we homeschooled portion to incorporate in my 256th show because it sums up the whole premise of our lifestyle rather well.
Pop on over and have a listen!
Well hello there! My name is Vivienne McNeny.
I am an empty nester exploring life as a Boomer…you could say I'm happily Boomering along!
As a homeschooling Mum I have finally quit the job of role model and mentor to my four children. I do what I want to do, eat when I feel like it, enjoy life with my blue eyed cowboy and clean my house once a month or so whether it needs it or not!
In true English form I write about the emergence of my true identity now that I can no longer hide behind my children as their Mum.
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