When I was a kid one of my dad’s famous phrases was, “if your going to do something, do it right or don’t do it at all”. That phrase has continued to ring through well into my adult years.
We’ve been trudging along with homeschool this year and I’d be fibbing if I said I’ve been having a blast. Round about Christmas and the New Year all I wanted to do was throw in the towel- send them all to school and just be done. I was still feeling like we hadn’t developed a fantastic routine, some of the kids were being more of a challenge then others, and I was simply overwhelmed.
I was still very plugged into what our local school district was doing. I was following and a fairly active participant in several Facebook groups rallying to get kids back in school and to be honest, I just wasn’t letting myself enjoy the homeschool adventure. I spend a lot of time wishing we weren’t in this situation instead of just embracing it.
In talking with a friend, a fellow first time homeschool mom I realized I was way too preoccupied with some of the outside static and my dad’s advice came flooding back- “If your going to do something, do it right or don’t do it at all”. Such simple advice, but it has turned our homeschool journey around. I realized I was really sitting on the fence as they say. I was too wrapped up in what was going on around me. I was going through the motions of homeschooling, but honestly wishing I didn’t have to. I silenced those Facebook groups, decided to take a rest from following our district and throw my full energy and attention into our traditional homeschool program 🙂
Now I’m certainly not saying everyday has been filled with rainbows and unicorns, but the journey has really smoothed out. I’ve been able to really see and appreciate this opportunity with all of its up and downs. I’ve watched and learned each kid in a whole new light. And I’m sure I’m being molded in ways I didn’t think was needed 🙂 Its amazing what you see when you sit back and readjust the lens.
Hands In Farm 