May. 8, 2009 - Embracing Imperfection
I am a perfectionist, and have been since I was very young. Unfortunately, my perfectionism often discourages me from beginning something new because I'm afraid I won't have the time or ability to finish "perfectly." I have been thinking about it lately as it affects our homeschool.
My husband and I purchased My Father's World first grade books for Beth's next school year at our local homeschool convention in March. Beth was very excited about her new books, and wanted to start them immediately. I kept putting her off because I wanted to read through the entire teacher's manual, collect the supplies for the entire year, make checklists, and be sure that I knew what I was doing and was "ready." I wanted to make sure I would be able to borrow all the suggested library books and figure out a system so I would have them for the correct week.
One seemingly small thing about the curriculum in particular was causing me stress: the authors suggest starting the school year on a Thursday in order to have a shorter first week to ease into the school routine. In this way, a new memory verse is introduced each Monday, and each Wednesday is Exploration Day, a lighter day allowing time to do hands-on math and science activities and to go outdoors and enjoy nature. What would happen if we were to miss a day? We would be off schedule. Would we then have to double up one day, or take off an entire week, to get back on schedule?
With Beth asking every day when she could start her new books, I finally gave in and started ... on a TUESDAY! It was so freeing to start out off schedule! I can see that the curriculum is set up well for starting on a Thursday, but it works out no matter what day I start. I'm sure we will have vacation days and get back on schedule at some point this year. We may even get on schedule and back off several times over the course of the year, and that is okay!
I am learning that sometimes just jumping in, even if I don't feel ready, is the best way. We finished Day 9 today. We are still reading some of the library books suggested for last week. We've even read a couple of the books intended for next week already. We're learning a lot, and I am learning to relax and allow myself to be imperfect.
