It is a good thing I've learned to flexible. No, I'm not talking about back bends here! I had our first week of school all planned out to my liking, but life has its own set of plans for this week! My brother and his wife are coming to stay at my parents house for about a week. They live about 8 hours away from here, so we only see them a couple times a year. Plus, they will be leaving for Bangladesh in January. My brother will be teaching math to missionary kids. They plan to stay for 6 months. Every moment we can spend with them this week is precious. So, we will be shortening our days. We will be focusing on Bible, Math and Reading. The rest I will add in next week when things settle back to our normal daily routine.
When I first started homeschooling 8 years ago, I was a horrible
box checker. I felt that I had to accomplish every little worksheet and book that I had planned to do with Isaac. Boy, was I wrong! I have always liked structure and feel I do best with a strong organizational plan. However, this just doesn't work on each and every one of our schooling days. I have had to learn to let go of that structured plan and go with the flow of the day or the child, which ever it may be for that given day.
What I find awesome about homeschooling is that I am still learning! I am a work in progress as a homeschool mom and teacher. Each year I change something or many things about how I teach or what I teach to my children. Since Jacob has dyslexia it challenges me to find the best ways to teach him. His needs are so different from what Isaac's are. And Caleb is so good at independent work, which is a blessing, since Jake needs so much one-on-one. Maybe that is part of what draws me to homeschooling. There is a different challenge that needs to be figured out at every turn.
Schooling schedule not on track. No problem! I've got that challenge tackled. Now on to the next one!
Being flexiable is something that goes along ways if you know how to...especially in homeschooling!
ReplyDeleteJenn,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post; it's just what I needed! It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who has struggled at the beginning of our homeschool journey with being a "box-checker!" I hereby resolve to plan and amend the schedule and not let the schedule plan me!
I need to be to be more flexible.
ReplyDeleteHope they have a nice visit.
When I talk about homeschooling to someone, I always mention-- FLEXIBILITY! It's such a wonderful thing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy their stay!
All I can say is, good for you for learning to be flexible. I think it makes for a much happier family when mom can be a little more flexible. I'm still learning this, too, just in my day to day life.
ReplyDeleteVery wise, Jenn. Your use of the word "flexible" brought to mind "yielding" and these Scriptures:
ReplyDelete"... yield your hearts to the LORD ..." (Joshua 24:23)
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked ... But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." (Psalm 1:1-3)
Tuesday blessings!