Finding the new groove

Well, I haven't been back to blog in a while, but progress is happening. This summer has probably been the least academic of any in recent years, but I have been learning so much. I am finally figuring a few things out that I think will lay the foundation for a healthy home and homeschool for years to come. The first is that our home and our homeschool can and should look different than anyone else's. That is why we are homeschooling, to have freedom to tailor our experience to the needs of our family. In all my efforts to gather ideas, go to conventions and classes, and follow certain plans and philosophies, I have usually forgotten to consult my own feelings, and the preferences and leanings of myself and my family. In an effort to avoid the 'conveyor belt' type education, I have often put myself on a different conveyor belt of trying to follow someone else's plan because it works so well for their family. But my family is unique. I am finally allowing myself and my family to be 'us' and doing the hard work it takes to find just what we need and do it. I am gaining courage. It is freeing, although it is time consuming and for a little while as I do the introspection and study, by all outward accounts it probably looks like not much is happening in our homeschool. But I am becoming educated so that I can in turn educate my children. I'm learning from inspiration and study and watching my children and listening to them. I'm becoming more aware. It feels good.

The second thing I have been doing is tending to my own academic education and other areas of self care more. I am getting up and walking because it feels good and fills my need for quiet thought before the kids get up. I am continuing my classes with Art of Womanhood that feed my mind and heart. I am doing things that interest me without guilt. I am learning to know myself and how to govern my emotions and tune in to truth.

The third thing is getting my house in order. I have felt buried in laundry and housework since baby #5 was born. I finally decided it is time for things to change. My husband and I designed a chore system for our kids that requires a lot of them, and also of me while I am training them, but it is going to be so worth it once they have learned to do those chores independently. They are doing it, we are having good times together while I teach them, and the house is getting cleaner! It is amazing what a tidy house can do to clear your mind! Maybe soon I will have time to actually tackle my messes in my own room since they are taking care of so much of the rest of the house. They are starting to take a little pride in their work, too, and that is great to see. That is the main thrust of our summer right now, so I guess this is the summer of life skills.

The fourth thing is parenting - I went with my husband to a wonderful parenting class by Nicholeen Peck called Teaching your children Self Government. We went away with such wonderful ideas and inspiration. I am doing so much better governing my own self and being calm with them now, and they are learning to control themselves and choose good things by thinking through the consequences of their choices. My husband has also become more interested in taking an active role in mentoring the children and catching a vision for our family, and that is such a huge blessing!

So although we don't have a lot of the 3 Rs going on right now, I am feeling very blessed and knowing our family is growing and learning in other ways that will pave the way for academic learning to be more effective. I still want to break open a classic and read it aloud with them soon, but I am going to relax and enjoy this for now and immerse myself in preparation for a wonderful coming school year.