Last Friday as we left on our first adventure of Spring Break I felt anxious about our decision to homeschool. For the first time, the task felt completely daunting.
I’m a very Type A person.
I have very high expectations for Jackson and myself.
For example, I felt like I needed to be doing structured learning for the same amount of time had he been at school. Anything less felt like failure.
I was putting a lot of pressure on myself, not to mention Jackson.
I decided to message several homeschool moms because I had a burning question.
Exactly how long did they do school each day?
Because my expectations were not realistic.
I was shocked when each of them said they spent no more than 3 hours a day doing school work (most of them said no more than two hours)!
The hardest part of this new journey? Remembering that school and learning can look different.
It doesn’t have to happen sitting down or at a desk. It can happen in the car counting and adding Mustangs and Jeeps. It can happen when Jackson spells words out loud from the backseat. Handwriting practice can come in the form of making out Easter cards.
Learning can happen in a thousand ways!
Homeschool is about flexibility and making learning fun!
I read this quote in a blog post this week: It takes a leap of faith and a brave parent to trust that simplifying our children’s lives and giving them down time to play, connect with their families and create simple joy is what our kids really need.
I’m still learning how to let go of my Type A ways and embrace this freedom we now have!
Over Spring Break I gave myself permission to have fun with my little family – to forget about lesson plans and trying to figure everything out. I do not have everything figured out. I’m not sure what our days are going to look like – I’m hoping they’ll be different and exciting and never quite the same.
The truth is, Kindergarten has been stressful from day one – for me and for Jackson.
I think about the stress and anxiety I felt, never quite knowing how Jackson’s day would go, and I can’t imagine how bad it must have been for him.
What we need more than hours of school work and a busy schedule, is permission to just be.
Permission to embrace this educational freedom and breathe.
I know it’s been forever since I’ve visited and commented on Facebook for that matter. But I always see your pictures and am always so encouraged and inspired by the love your son, and your patience and always willingness to grow as a parent. It’s beautiful, Jennifer. And in the midst of it all you still take the time to send me card of encouragement. Wow. Thanks for that. Blessings to you. <3
Awe, thank you so much Beth! I was so happy to see your comment here and to see you’re writing again! I hope you are doing well! Hugs!