Our kiddos just recently closed the books, calling May 17th ‘our last day of school’. We’re all anticipating more open and relaxed days ahead!
At least until we pick back up again end of June.
For years, our normal homeschool routine lasted late August until about mid-May with a variety of options for how the rest of the year went. There’s always been reading and math upkeep, but overall, our summers have been more laid-back.
I’m changing that up for everyone, and I wish I had done it a little earlier!
Reasons for a Year-Around School Schedule
:
1. We want more flexibility! The emphasis is definitely on options; not feeling crunched between September and May to accomplish all our goals for the year. I need and desire longer stretches of less routine…during the ‘school year’, not only the summer.
2. To better support our children’s abilities and talents. I’ve noticed extra time is needed during our days to offer more focus on a particular interest.
For one child, it’s committed devotion to music study: lessons for 2 instruments, practice time, music composition, ear training, etc. For another, it’s concentration on literature and writing, crafting and illustrating stories, which includes intentional art lessons and study.
I’d like to offer abundant time for these pursuits, with less competition from other necessary academics.
3. To better support Mom! A God-ordained shift for me in the past 6 months or so has been greater emphasis on writing and speaking opportunities. I’ve been thrilled to join in the flow, but really looked at it all as a well, this is nice for now pursuit.
God has different ideas! I want to join in His plans and stay sane in the process. Flexible year-around schooling for everyone will offer more wiggle room in the schedule. The plan is to live intentionally, not intensely.
4. More room for activities and extra-curriculars. This is especially true for my high schooler who enjoys many opportunities throughout the year!
While there are boundaries, we’re also happy to support her participation in musicals with local theaters, speech and debate team, choir & vocal groups, time with friends, etc. Her academic load is by her own choice is full of language studies…so flexibility is key in juggling and managing other coursework.
5. Consistency and continuity. We all appreciate rhythm and routine! While it’s never been about a strict schedule, the overall flow of the household benefits from some consistent structure. Our summers won’t look exactly like the normal school year, but we’ll establish a new rhythm which includes everyone getting ‘back to the books’ earlier.
:
I could list a few more, but these are the main reasons.
We’re still praying and thinking how it will all work out, but feeling confident of this new direction for the whole family!
If you homeschool, what kind of routine do you follow?
Welcome to a new week! I was ready for a fresh start, how about you?
There’s lots of talk on some delegating and schedule rearranging happening in our home – all for the purpose of focus.
Right now I’m especially praying and thinking through how best to manage homeschooling, homemaking (including mothering & being a wife), increased writing & speaking, and pastoring alongside my husband.
If that list just scared you, simply close your eyes, breathe deeply, and the moment will pass.
This doesn’t work for me, but it should for you!
In reality, this juggle of priorities isn’t new, and this list is familiar. However, we find ourselves in a new place. Therefore, new strategies are needed.
In fact, later this week I’ll share one BIG change we’re making in homeschooling – stay tuned!
Week #20 Have balcony people in your life
balcony person: affirmer, a cheerleader on your side. one who is compassionate and devoted to you; who stretches your vision and supports your dreams; opposite of a basement person. (my own definition based on the book)
In light of everything written above, this week I wanted to intentionally pause to share how blogging has changed my life for the better.
Yes, I know this sounds like an overarching statement. But it most definitely is a true statement, and I’m grateful to the God who placed it in my path.
I didn’t understand blogging before, but began anyway. Years later, I stand in awe of how God has used this avenue of publishing online to bring some of the most incredible women into my life.
Oh, I have had and still have plenty of real-life connections who support, encourage, challenge and uplift me in many, many ways. My circles of everyday community are wide, and I deeply appreciate this.
Through the years though, I felt a bit out of place. While I had friends and excellent mentors, there weren’t any other women living the mix I was (the one I’m seeking to better manage).
There were times of feeling isolated. There were tears and frustration, and I can’t say I handled it all with grace.
Why do I mention all of this? Certainly not to wax on and on about those days, for they are in the past.
But to instead give praise for the new balcony people in my life! Women I’ve met online and many times in real life, who totally get this crazy mix God’s asking of us, and who lend their support.
In the last 2 years of attending blogging and writing conferences, God has provided kindred spirits in a way that just didn’t exist before. Balcony people. Women of faith who write, mother little ones, homeschool, etc. in such a God-honoring way.
Who challenge me to step up or to step back, to live fully and wholeheartedly this path.
Oh yes, I am grateful.
I also write to encourage you as well.
It’s beneficial to surround yourself with a variety of women, AND it’s also incredibly empowering to engage community who live and breathe similar paths…
who understand your journey because they’ve been there, or are there. Who don’t drag you down (basement people), who celebrate wildly with you in the triumphs, all the while understanding the sacrifices. There’s just a peace that comes with knowing you’re not really alone.
I’m not sure what your specific need may be, but I am sure that if you desire, God can bring such women into your life. This I truly believe.
:
Action Plan: If this post makes any sense to you – pray, asking God for new balcony people connections. Ask around, both locally and yes! even online to see where these women are. Wait, though it may be difficult – He will provide.
More to Read: Balcony People of course! – a little gem of encouragement (it’s an older book). The Community You Need as a Woman (post from the archives).
{photo credit}
So I mentioned yesterday about a Mother’s Day gift to myself…one which is different from our normal:
quiet time in the kitchen to COOK!
Usually our celebrations include a break from fixing the family meal, and my husband takes over or we’ll eat out. My family was completely up to that task, Sunday found me being served in royal fashion.
I’m happy to say this isn’t saved for special occasions – you never know when I’ll be queen for a day!
But Saturday found me mostly alone with the kitchen all to myself, iTunes playing and hands prepping, chopping, stirring and basically soaking up quiet time in my favorite place of our home.
Slow cooking was just the pace for me.
I took note recently how much this time cooking an afternoon away was sooo missed. Remember how full the month of March was?, and then April brought sickness which I’m still recovering from (there is slow improvement).
Freezer cooking ahead saved many evenings, as well as our incredible church family and some nights of take out. This was all wonderful and needful, but it left me out of the kitchen much more than in.
I learned this doesn’t make for a happy Mama; at least not this one, who enjoys puttering around in her kitchen. So, I decided to make up for it with new recipes just as soon as I felt well enough.
With a full family life, the idea of getting meals on table quickly is rather appealing; but sometimes, there’s joy to be found in not rushing the process.
I decided on this Italian ‘Drunken’ Noodles recipe {her pictures are much more desirable than mine, it was a funky camera day}. While all the ingredients are not pictured above, I doubled the recipe, which turned out to give us plenty for dinner and for leftovers!
I’ve not used pappardelle noodles before and was thrilled to find them marked down the day of shopping. They’re wide, really long egg noodles which hold shape nicely. Simple cooking wine was my substitution on the call for white wine.
While directions seem long-winded, the recipe came together easily and is absolutely delicious, especially the next day.
On our first serving, I forgot to add in fresh basil at the tail end. When reheating for lunch, it was just the perfect complement to the rest of the flavors – yum! My family oohed and aahed and there are requests for the future.
There was joy in eating it, true…but mostly in bringing the meal all together.
A gift.
I hope you found some simplicity in the weekend – ways which make sense for you and your family.
Mother’s Day was celebrated here with a few of my favorite things, and a gift to myself (which I’ll share about tomorrow)!
On to a new week…
Week #19 Learn to Delegate
Before you head off thinking this is for executive management and businesses, but not Mamas and their homes, hear me out.
You’re in the business of home management, and you are the home executive! If life holds work outside of the home (or you’re a work-at-home mom), then it’s ever so important to practice and exercise the art of delegation.
By this I mean knowing where, how and just when responsibilities should be shared. It’s asking for and receiving support and help in areas of need – all for the purpose of being released to do your most important work well.
“You’re going to wear yourself out–and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.” Exodus 18:18
Often though, we don’t release due to various reasons. I’m guessing the top ones could be:
- inability to let go of control
- fear of the other person ‘not doing it right’
- it takes too much time to teach another person
So if you’re able to do a job well, what’s the purpose of even thinking about handing it off?
Well, we’re created to be interdependent. Our worlds are surrounded by others who have different gifts and abilities, all by God’s design. We allow for the best in others to show by making room for them to work with us.
If you’re part of a family — you. are. a. team. Not a lone-ranger.
Mom isn’t meant to be the one doing it all, caring for it all, and taking it all on. Neither is Dad. Neither are the children, even if they’re old enough to really help out. The running of the home and the organizing of family life (even if it’s Mom primary focus and work) is a team effort.
Even with the family on board, you may still need outside support and help, and this is more than okay!
Through the years, I’ve hired regular babysitters and house cleaners, delegating work to them for a season. I’ve welcomed the assistance of gracious women from our church to help in various ways.
My extended family has pitched in and numerous friends as well. I’ve trained (and am still training) my children to share in the load of keeping house. As a homeschooling Mom, I’ve hired others (via online classes or live classes) to teach certain subjects.
Mom — learn the art of allowing others to help you. Remember God designed you for interdependence; it’s healthy and can be such a stress-reliever!
:
Tips for Healthy Delegating
- resist the temptation to play the victim – so not appealing! and remember you’re not a failure for delegating
- don’t delegate work that is critical for you alone to do unless it’s an emergency
- some work needs to be eliminated and not delegated; know the difference, and nurture your ‘no‘ response
- be sure there’s time to train for the work (when time is of importance, it may be easier to do it yourself.)
- release the need for it all to be done exactly ‘your way’, establish a new standard
Whether it’s your family, hired help, a friend or Grandma…celebrate and joyfully welcome the idea of others walking alongside of you in your work!
Action Plan: What is your biggest area of need right now in one of your roles? Can you identify what help would be beneficial? Take time to think, pray and share this process with a spouse or friend for feedback and making a plan.
More to Read: Focus on the Family has a SUPER series of articles on this topic — Working Moms Need to Delegate, Share the Workload with Your Husband, and Give Chores to Your Kids
Joining in with iHomeschool Network today:
:: ::
In my life this week… a little quieter, both here on the blog and at home as well. I like that.
In our homeschool… tis the season of endings! The children are melancholy about goodbyes to classes, choirs, and the weekly rhythm of these events. Their mother? Somewhat thrilled!
The last 2-3 weeks have brought several concert choir performances of Handel’s Messiah, a powerful Scripture recitation event, Charlie Brown musical performances, the closing of sewing classes, language classes and co-op classes as well.
We’re happy to support our children’s gifts, and while we still have some soccer games upcoming, I’m happy too for a break (so are the kids really).
Ahhh…summer. We’re ready for you.
Helpful homeschool tip to share… if you hope to homeschool your children next year, it would be helpful to begin planning now. Ahem. For the first time in years, I’ve barely scratched the surface of ordering next year’s curriculum or even thinking much about it! Usually by this time, it’s almost done.
Oh well, all in good time!
I’m being inspired by… a Charlotte Mason seminar attended last weekend. Rich, deep and thoughtful. Mixed in with some notes I’m reviewing from reading through The Well-Trained Mind. We continue to find a mix of both styles and philosophies work best for our family.
My favorite thing this week was… notes in my inbox from all over the world! So many of you appreciating and enjoying simple words I scratched out a year ago or words in this space. A shout out to South Africa, the UK, Indonesia, Canada and all around the good ole USA! Thank you friends, thank you…
Things I’m working on… seriously decluttering as I’m able (still resting much these days). Participating in Crystal’s ‘get rid of 7 things a day’ challenge and finding it a great goal. Though we box up at least 10-15 items daily.
I’m reading… a library trip this week, so lots of books: The Kitchen House, Healing Foods (pretty sure I should just own this one), 100 Diagrams that Changed the World (it’s interesting!) and Wave.
The last book is one women’s survival of the 2004 tsunami that took her whole family (um yes, just a bit of light reading, eh?). All prompted by my husband and I watching the movie The Impossible - an entire family’s miraculous, but especially heart-gripping, survival story.
He thought it would be great for our in-home date night!
Hmmm….no comment at this time.
I’m grateful for… time to rest, which is what I’m sharing about over at The Better Mom today. I hope you take time for pause this weekend – for respite and refueling.
A blessed Mother’s Day to all,
:: ::
And friends, that’s it…
Grace to your weekend.
{photo credit}
Welcome to the first edition of May’s 52 Ways!
Here’s a recap from last month:
week #13 limit media, increase creativity
week #14 nurture your ‘no’
week #15 embrace the mess
week #16 live ‘clean enough’!
week #17 budget your time
Am I the only one just now realizing there were 5 Mondays in April!?
Anyway, I’ve been thinking on this week’s encouragement for several weeks now….
Week #18 Define simplicity for yourself
One thing I’ve become increasingly aware of over time is how the idea of simple living is completely stressing people out.
We are abuzz (is that a word?) with the pursuit of simplicity. It’s a multimillion dollar industry of companies, magazines, books, blogs, and products all dedicated to assisting us.
Am I against simple living? Not at all.
I do believe our lives need honest evaluation and a deeper look at what is truly essential. Simplifying has benefits.
BUT…
We might be skipping a crucial first step. The mistake?
We take action before answering questions.
:
Allow me to explain:
If simplicity includes releasing what is unnecessary, this begs two important questions be answered before we do anything:
What is the purpose and vision for this season?
What is needful (or helpful) to fulfill this vision?
How my life is run, the things kept in our home, and how we schedule our days, all should be organized around the answers to these questions, not just ideas of how someone else describes simple living!
What is beneficial for one person could be incredibly complicating for another.
Should your family spend only X amount on groceries or clothing? What about travel and entertainment?
Should you live in a smaller home? Is one car or computer enough? How many activities should your children be involved in? Are you overspending?
Well, it depends on the answers to those questions!
I’m not trying to be super-spiritual…but before adopting steps towards simplicity, it’s wisdom to check said step against our purpose as God defines it — does it line up?
For it’s quite easy to actually complicate and stress your life by letting go of the wrong things or ideas. We don’t ultimately follow lists, though they help us evaluate.
We follow God. Ask Him to define what you need more or less of, and to supply those needs.
THEN — simplify with this vision in mind.
To be quite honest, I struggle in this area!
I lean towards ultra-frugality and do-without-it mentality…sometimes to a fault. You’d think I was raised during the Great Depression.
Yes, I believe in contentedness. Yes, I think we should try to live with less. Yes, yes, yes. But even when it’s clear God is providing for my needs, and generously offering me resources to do my job well…I can still be found hesitating to receive. Ouch.
That’s not frugality or simplicity. That’s PRIDE. I resist the very gift He desires I accept.
Oh my Provider, I am so sorry.
I’ve grown leaps, largely due to to my husband’s prompting (thank you, hon!). I’m learning it’s not wisdom to compare the needs of our family to others, even if our callings and lifestyles are similar.
Should you simplify your home, your schedule, your lifestyle? Certainly!
Allow a God-driven vision to shape your definition of simplicity. It’s less stressful.
: :
Action Plan: Chew on this post for a little, and maybe it won’t even apply to you. If it does, take time for prayer, thinking, and redefining simple living for your family. It’s a process, try not to rush it.
More to Read: In the spirit of answering questions before action – here’s a post on 5 Questions You Should Ask When Decluttering
{photo credit}
« Older posts
|
2 comments