I have to say that this year….this summer has been my busiest, particularly offline.
Recently I was blessed with getting an inexpensive copy of “Managers of their Home” and an inexpensive printer (translation: cheap ink cartridges) and making the most of both to really organize both how homeschooling is done and how the home is run. Although we use a semi (I say “semi” since we use lesson plans and Charlotte Mason doesn’t incorporate lesson plans in her methods) Charlotte Mason approach, I’m using lesson plans as a way to both keep ourselves accountable and also, help us develop a more structured approach to both homeschooling and how the home is run.
My biggest concerns is blogging and being online get in the way of not only just our personal home but also in our personal growths and homeschooling. This seems to be a common cause I see often brought up in homeschool communities and in blogs, that I find myself seriously asking myself…am I really structuring my day as well as I would like myself to think I am.
In asking myself that, it brought a serious re-evaluation both in how I was homeschooling and how I both was (and wasn’t) managing things.The reality…I felt like I was letting some things have much higher priority than it really should have.
This is a hard thing, I feel, to have to be honest about. It’s human to want to think that we have it under control, but when we find ourselves having obligations everywhere, is it truly being of the best service that we can possible be or are we just stretching ourselves thinner than we like to admit.
Every June, I know without question, it’s our busiest month.
That’s when we take our family vacations, I get the bulk of homeschool planning started (and sometimes done), the kids are on summer break, and there isn’t enough days (or so I feel) to get everything that I want to get done…done but I also end up feeling like there isn’t enough time in the day.
Even my poor dayplanner (when my mother in law returns with the SD card and we have no way to plug the camera to the laptop, I’ll post a picture of it) cries out to me…(okay not literally, but figuratively)…..”It’s of no use “.
Even this year, I am diligently reworking the homeschool binder that I can already tell it will be of better use to me and to homeschooling.With that, comes the realization, I can’t be something to everything and there are boundaries. Even my own daily bible readings have suffered and it’s something that I regret.I started B90 with the best of intentions for the second time and the realization is that because of:
1. My lack of organization
2. Over priorities to everything-Just sitting down and relaxing and even attending 10 minutes is not of help.
During our last bible study group meeting, it was about “Service” and a question was raised: “Why is it counterintuitive to serve others”.
My first thought was, “Whoa…counterintuitive…no way”, but as I thought about it….It had me thinking of boundaries. Healthy boundaries.
Sometimes…it’s okay to say no. Even to oneself.
Our first service, first and foremost is to our Heavenly Father, followed by our family and the children He has blessed and trusted with and from there, the outside world.
Are we truly being of good value if we put our family and even Him last in the name of “serving others” when we are able to give our all to others but in the process, is of no use or service to our family and to our Father?
This has had me making it a priority to read “Managers of Their Homes” and relook at how we have structure our chores and duties to make sure that we don’t over extend ourselves in the wrong areas.
It’s so easy to feel that “false guilt” that we have to do this for so and so but how does it really help when our first priority, our families suffer in the process?
Bottom line…Just as I’m getting my homeschool binder in order, it’s a reminder…I need to do the same for my dayplanner but more than anything, within my home too before putting all else before.
As summer is drawing to a close (Sorry to have to bring that part up), it’s a reminder that vacation will be over and our greatest work,being both parents and teachers will come into full swing.
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Can you believe summer is almost over? It’s like it just started! This was a great post and one that I often find myself dealing with as well. I have over obligated myself to the point my own health suffered and then my family as well. A quote that helps remind me of my priorities is “Don’t let the good become the enemy of the very best”. That basically means don’t let all our good deeds and helping others, etc take away from the very best (God and our family) to the point they become the enemy.
Hope you are well, haven’t heard from you in a long time! Take care!
Bev(Quote) (Reply)
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I feel you. I have been lesson planning as well. I realized I am far more productive if I stay away from the computer.
Blog reading, facebook, and homeschool sites eat my time like crazy. Homeschool curriculum shopping, or drooling do it too. It’s a case of everything in moderation.
I am doing well with my reading, and if I stay off of here, I wouldn’t be behind anywhere…will I die if I don’t respond to someone on FB as soon as they have a question? No.
I will keep you in my prayers! Have some coffee! I KNOW you will feel better!
Samantha(Quote) (Reply)
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Twitter: the160acrewoods
says:
I’m so learning this with you sis! I find myself wondering why i’m doing this and that… and as much as I enjoy some things; they’re my time wasters and I need to be careful. Our kiddos are only small once, so I need to be organized and prepare them for life!
Hugs! Maybe we can hold each other accountable with our homeschooling stuff and stay on track?!
amydeanne(Quote) (Reply)
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