This is the time to be thankful that we learn from many sources and that life is flexible and children are forgiving and that nothing really lasts forever (in our case, referring to the where in the world did we put the box with the salt and pepper shakers in them?)
It's hard to have your heart completely in homeschooling when your brain is somewhere else. It's hard to give homeschooling your best when you're distracted with other Life Stuff. It's hard and when it goes on long enough, suddenly, without even meaning to...homeschooling becomes just another thing to get through.
I don't want anything in my family's life to be just another thing to get through. Because when one part of the day is something to just get through, pretty soon we're just getting through the whole day. And then soon after, it's the week you're just getting through. Then the month. And so on. And on.
My intention in homeschooling was not to have something to simply get through.
Not at all.
I know we all go through times when we're just getting through. That's part of real life, especially when (as someone at a homeschooling meeting told me last night) you're still in the process of trying to figure out the best drawer to put the silverware in. We need to give ourselves permission to have that time. We need to be patient with Life.
But we also need to recognize when we're in that place...and when it's time to pull out and move on. Getting through gets comfortable. And we need to know when that comfortable place is no longer helping.
It's important to reconnect. It's important to focus. Fun experiments are great, but they're 100% better if you (as the teacher) are 100% there.
Are you connected...or are you just getting through?
Hmmmm.... :)
Definitely something to ponder. I do feel like we're just trying to get through the last part of our year. Perhaps its time to evaluate how those days are spent! :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I feel the 'we are doing this to say we did' or 'check it off' settle in I switch, throw out the plan, let go, & we unschool until we find new passions to fill a schedule with. I find we school about 5-6 wks followed by 2 wks of a free for all & then back to 'work' again. The funny thing is I have found those 'to do's' manage to get covered anyway but in a whole different way than I had planned.
ReplyDeleteWe are definitely in a getting through stage. I feel like we are stuck there- like writers block. I am hoping now that things might calm down (not really, but we are through the move anyway...)maybe we will get back on track. Do fun stuff, hands on learning and all that.
ReplyDeleteOur Side - it can happen a lot at the end of the year...or especially at this time of year, coming out of winter (or wanting so badly to come out!)I just like being able to take a step back and saying "Hey - is this really what we want to be doing here...or can we do something better/more fun/more meaningful..."
ReplyDeleteMisty - great ideas! And it is funny how when you're "not trying" as hard, those things to do get "checked off" anyway, and without as much work, it seems like. I'm finding it's really all about how you approach it, and your attitude towards it. :)
Sadie - "like writers block" - you just made a huge connection for me, thanks for that! I've felt this "just getting by" in several areas of my life, writers block being the one most sorely felt (personally, at least). Perhaps its all connected. Perhaps its just a comment on the bigger picture? Sometimes it just takes taking a step back, and other times, it takes a kick in the pants to say "Wait! Wake up!" That's very much where I feel like I am right now... :)
I think we all go through phases of "getting through", and then we move into more satisfying/productive phases. You'll get there, I'm sure :) I don't know if you're anything like me, but I tend to be really impatient for things to work out the way I want...I have to struggle with myself to slow down, relax into what is, and realize that everything always gets done at the right time.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, this is exactly where I've been for the last couple of months. Just getting through. Thank you for being honest...it makes the rest of us feel like we're not alone. I sure wish we lived closer~we could kick each other in the pants!
ReplyDeleteThis picture reminds me of the farm I grew up on. Beautiful!
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