I read an article recently that talked about the rhythm of our homeschools.I have to say I am very good at making schedules.Notice I did not say I am good at keeping schedules.My schedules look wonderful on paper very doable in my mind.Then reality sets in and I am disappointed at how it actually plays out in our home.Thats because my schedules always seems to reflect how I think my homeschool should look, instead of how the Lord intended it to be.The article mentioned how each home has its own rhythm, or natural way of operating.I realized I had been trying to force the rhythm of our home to be something it is not; like trying to swim upstream. Continually fighting the against the current leaves me (and probably the children as well) feeling frustrated.
Here's an example. If you were to read my perfect homeschool schedule you would see us beginning our studies promptly at 9:00 a.m.Ive tried, believe me, Ive tried.No matter what I do, we never seem to start until 10:00. My frustration continued to mount until I began to see the pattern. Maybe 10:00 is more with the rhythm of our home.Who says 9:00 a.m. is the perfect starting time?I felt that to be a good homeschooling mom I had to have my children up, chores done and sitting quietly by 9:00.Isnt it funny how our own preconceived ideas somehow become gospel? Must be a bit of leftover thinking from my college training as a teacher. Darn! I thought I had gotten rid of all that!
Peace has come with recognizing and rolling with the natural rhythm of our home. We are not straining to swim upstream, but are allowing ourselves to go with the current. The stress of not sticking to my perfect schedule has been alleviated, we're enjoying our time together and lo and behold, my children are still getting a great education!
i couldn't agree more. i am so schedule and checklist oriented that i go into a near panic when i veer off schedule....but who's to say what the best thing is for my particular kids? it's taken me some time to figure this out. just like every family has it's own rhythm, so a homeschool should, and would, too! :)
I love what you have to say here. Our homes are all very different, and they even change themselves often ( I know the seasons affect us a lot, it is hard for us to stay on task in the spring).
I loved this post! I am very schedule and list oriented. I love being organized, but having 3 (4 in three weeks!) children ages 5 and under I find that my schedules often go flying out the window. It usually drives me crazy. Maybe I just need to readjust my attitude a bit and learn how to dance to the current rhythmn of our family. :-D
Hi..I'm Rachelle's sister in law... saw your comment on her blog and thought I'd come say hi. :)
I love your blog. It's so cute! I noticed on your profile that we share the same birthday! (cept I'm 2 years younger than you... ;))
I also struggle with feeling our homeschool should fit the "mold" I see recommended in so many books and talks about homeschooling. But that isn't the rhythm of our home, either. And we never succeed in trying to force ourselves into that rhythm/mold. But even after 5.5 years of homeschooling, I still try a couple times a year to force us into that mold.
There is a lot of truth to this - and one thing I have observed over the 20 years that we have been homeschooling is that this rhythm will most likely change over time. I have had my battles with a schedule, as well! I recently threw it out the window. Blessings ~ Patricia
We've been trying to follow the "early to bed, early to rise" maxim off and on for years now, and it never works for us. I ned to remember to follow OUR rhythm instead of someone else's.
The daily, sometimes hourly, musings of a homeschooling mom of four surviving on prayer, friendship and lots of Starbucks. Some days my cup runs over and some days it all spills out the cracks...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
