What would happen if you started treating this entire homeschool journey a whole lot differently? What if I told you it could be amazing and beautiful and the very best thing that ever happened to you and your family but that perhaps you have been going about it all wrong?
Imagine for a moment that you could give yourself permission to just take a BIG break from everything that wasn't fueling you or lighting you up? Maybe this would mean deschooling, dropping a few committments or plans. Or maybe it would be letting go of feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Or letting go of being unhappy or a schooly mindset. Or??? Imagine that you were in a place to recognize that that in order for this entire gig to really flow - you, yes you mama - have to be feeling awesome and inspired about this lifestyle and that is not going to ever happen when you just keeping on moving forward trying to force things to work- when so clearly they are not. Something needs to change and you are not going to get there by finding a magic curriculum or classes. I promise. I once read that one of the differences with today's homeschoolers is that most of us started homeschooling because of a need not because of the philosophy of homeschooling. This absolutely fascinated me because it makes so much sense then why most of us start off by buying a bunch of curriculum and signing up for loads of classes. We start off doing this in desperation and the only way to make ourselves feel better is to start filling our time. Most of us didn't have time to do the soul searching that mamas who always knew they would homeschool did. No wonder... we are driving all over town trying to meet each of our kids needs, barely surviving our responsibilities at home and wondering if this is really all there is? So often what I hear and see online and in person are families that are miserable and struggling. They are wavering between threatening the kids to go back to school or mama falling apart from the demands of homeschooling in this way. Honestly, even those who tell me how much their kids dig classes and worksheets, eventually share how they aren't really sure how much their kids are really getting out of it all. Homeschooling this way - feels so very very heavy to me. A Spacious Life feels so much different. It feels , well...spacious!! These days I feel pretty much on fire about homeschooling and want to share how much I love it with anyone who will listen. Once I started spending hours and hours devouring everything I could not about classes and curriculum but about the philosophy BEHIND the actual lifestyle I just couldn't get enough and wanted more and more and more. Mama's, I spend hours everyday listening to inspiring podcasts, reading homeschool books, and talking with mamas online and in person about the philosophy behind what we do and you know what? It makes me a way better homeschool mama. I don't feel weighed down by my choices because I know that everything we choose to do is going to be because it enriches our lives in one way or another. If it doesn't it gets tossed out. My kids see me being engaged and constantly learning and suddenly our home has this contagious atmosphere of growth. What I am trying to say is this. If homeschooling isn't working so well for you perhaps it is time to take a step back and get really really clear on your WHY. Imagine that your kids are still toddlers and you are looking ahead to their school years with wonder and anticipation. Give yourself the space and time to learn from those mama's in this homeschool community who have walked the path ahead of you and listen to their wisdom. Really listen. Let their words sink in. Listen to their podcasts, read their books, talk about these ideas with your homeschool friends. Trust me when I tell you that this will be a total game changer in how your days look and where you choose to put your energy with your kids. Things will become fun again and you won't believe how lucky you are to be able to teach your kids in this way. You'll start to find cool resources to share with your kids, interesting movies to watch together, books that ignite their little hearts and create openings for deep conversations. You'll search out communities of mamas who explore wild places in nature and create all sorts of possibilities for independent exploration too giving you time just for you as well . You will begin to see that this is homeschooling not just something that happens AFTER the curriculum or on the side. It is all of it. Homeschooling is not separate from living - it's all the same. Words like freedom, curiosity, adventure, engagement and creativity will become your mantra. Learning to trust yourself and your children will become so natural to you that you won't believe there was a time when you did not feel this way. You can do it mama's. Imagine living.... A Spacious Life Join our Free Facebook Group : A Spacious Life: Homeschool Support www.facebook.com/groups/1590064657967771/
3 Comments
Christine Hawkins
5/7/2017 08:27:10 am
A beautiful post! I am VERY new on this homeschooling journey and I love these words. So far I am loving it; far beyond what I thought I would. And my daughter is THRIVING!! :) YEAH!
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Michelle Wright
5/8/2017 07:17:47 am
I appreciate this because I struggle to trust and let go, fearing my son isn't getting all he needs at times and homeschooling has started to become anxiety filled. I know this isn't what God had in store for me and our family. Learning to trust...
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Carol
6/15/2017 08:19:26 am
I'd love your recommendations for podcasts, books and websites that speak to the spacious life homeschool style.
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