Stepping Back

Do you ever feel like the ins and outs of your day are getting lost in the proverbial sauce? Sometimes things get so overwhelming that you tend to just run through them without even thinking.  This week I have felt this way about our homeschool routine.

We sit at our table with our books spread out and pencils in hand but it is always just paperwork.....where is the fun? What happened to the days of paper plate crafts, accordion folded legs on paper hearts and turkeys made from painted hands? When did school become so mundane? This is the real reason we stay at home, isn't it?

This week as I sat over coffee with a friend, she reminded me of something very important.  She reminded me that I needed to step back and that it's ok to do so! I need to put down the lesson plan and step away from the routine part for a minute. I need to put things into perspective and remember what it is that I am doing.  I went to school for education so I am not new to the concept of teaching.  So often I think we feel the need to get everything perfect and that everything has to be just right and just as it is written down in the lesson planning book.  We feel like we can't stray from what is written down. Come close because I'm gonna let you in on a little secret......it's called a pencil! See, there are no rules that say things can't be changed or erased and redone. There is no one standing over you saying, "you MUST do it this way" or "you MUST do it that way". So if this is the case, what do you do next? Well, after my coffee chat with my brilliant friend, here is what I have decided to do...

                                                                   STEP BACK

I have decided to step back and rather than push my kids through without having any fun, we are incorporating an art project and craft a few times a week. On Thursday morning, they woke up to Q-tip painting and a bible lesson on Jesus and the changing leaves. Their little faces lit up all because they were getting ready to paint a picture! Y'all, it's those moments when I realize that I need to do more by doing less. Less strategic planning, more craftful planning. Less paperwork, more paper plate art. Less being stressed about where they are in their books, and more being blessed by where they are in their hearts!

So, if you are in a rut and this sounds like you, I encourage you to take a step back and look at the whole picture. Figure out what you need to change and change it. Plan some fun activities with your kids. Put the life back into your homeschool.  It will be a good thing and you will be glad you did and remember......it's ok to do so!!