Car Convos

Posted on by rootedmama

When my oldest son started PreK4, it was the first time that he was at a school where I would not also be there.

It was harder on me than it was on him.

By this time, our bedtime routine was also getting harder. Making sure that I tucked in both boys, and listen to their stories from the day…or whatever they wanted to tell me…on top of bathtime, and brushing teeth…made for a verrry long bedtime routine. So, I was looking for ways to make our routine shorter. I started singing to them and stopped asking about their day at bedtime…and started asking about their day in the car.

For 2-3 years, it got increasingly harder to get my oldest to talk to me…about anything. This little 4-7 year old.

Then, I remembered an article I had read a couple of years before.

It talked about instead of asking “How was your day? What did you learn today?”

To ask this list of other questions.

So…I did that. For months, it felt like pulling teeth, getting him to talk to me.

He is a car rider, so every day, when he got in the car, I’d ask him “What was your favorite part of your day?”

Then, one day…I purposefully didn’t ask. He would screech, cry, not want to answer…so, one day…I just let it be…

(In a whiny voice) “Mom. You forgot to ask me about my day!”

We were half way home.

“No, son. Every day, you get upset with me when I ask…so, today I decided to take a break. Do you want to tell me about your day?”

“Yes”

“Ok. What was your favorite part of your day?”

That day unlocked a little piece of his heart.

He needed to know that I cared about his day, and he had grown accustomed to me asking.

So, for three years, every day, in the car, I’d ask. Some days, I’d get an answer. Some days, I’d get the dreaded screeches and whining. But, most days our car convos would branch into other things he would want to talk to me about.

Then we moved schools. And that felt like another unlocking moment. He loved where he was at, and he was a completely different kid.

Now, I greet him and his brother, every afternoon with “What was your favorite part of today?”

They love it. It’s something that has brought them closer. And it even gets them talking about their day to each other…

I just have to make sure they have a snack, first….because, you know….#hangry runs in the family.

Our Journey Through Life May Look Different Than We Plan

Posted on by rootedmama

Today, my younger son asked me for “oils”.

We were reading a story, and his arm was itching on a scab on his arm. I asked him what he needed, and he told me he wanted oils.

It’s funny.

5 years ago, I stopped buying essential oils for our family. My husband and I were in Discipleship School at our church. At the time, I felt like I need to stop buying them, to make room in our budget to help pay for D-school, our trip that was associated with that, and our daughter would be arriving shortly after.

I had a huge inventory for our home, so I was ok with setting aside purchasing any more for a short amount of time.

Well- that short amount of time ended up being five whole years. We are finally nearing the bottom of our inventory. . . and it’s made me reflective of the past five years.

From 2014-2017, I was consistently using essential oils and natural remedies to support my family’s wellness.

But, when I set them aside, so to speak, I have noticed that my family asks for them more when I ask them “what do you need?”

This really made me think. . .

Because, I’ve noticed that a lot of things that I thought were going to “breakthrough” for our family while we were traveling- I didn’t actually see progress on until these past few months, since we have been home.

My kids encouraging each other. My oldest taking responsibility for chores, without being asked. My kids being excited about Church and open to bible stories.

Time and time again, since February, all the things I thought would happen ( because I planned it that way, so of course it’s going to happen that way) while we were traveling, only started happening all this time later. . .

After two years of consistency and space.

I know that some of these things may seem very small or trivial.

However, it just really highlighted for me- that we are all on our own time table in our journeys through life. No matter what that looks like.

We can’t expect things to happen a certain way, on our journey, let alone other people’s.

Life happens, there are ups and downs, curve-balls are thrown.

No matter what it is that you are waiting on, things will come together in due time- whether it looks like you thought it would, or not.

Getting Outdoors

Posted on by rootedmama

As a young mom, I wanted to get my family outdoors more. I was tired, anxious and just didn’t have the energy or follow through to nurture a love of nature.

I remember hoping, dreaming and wanting for this love of nature for my kids.

It wasn’t until we started traveling full-time that this dream started to come to fruition.

When we were traveling, we were outdoors so much. Hiking. Exploring. Just playing and being outdoors.

The other day, my younger son told me “mom, I miss playing in the Forest and trees”.

And, I miss it too.

Being a country that is “stuck inside”- it can be hard to change your mindset and habits.

But, once you get your family outdoors, it’s a refreshing level of peace and contentment.

My kids started off complaining about having to go outside to play. It was like pulling teeth.

Now, my kids ask me and bug me to go outside.

How do you get your family outdoors more?

Homeschool: Ending an Era

Posted on by rootedmama

Our homeschool journey is quickly coming to an end.

We’ve been on this Journey for over 2 years now. It’s been hard, some days. It’s been easy, some days. It’s been beautiful, fun, challenging, and mundane. But, what has been my favorite part is being my kids’ teacher and seeing all of their growth first hand.

I’m so thankful for this journey, and a little sad to close this chapter…and also looking forward to what’s to come!

If you’re at a crossroads in your child’s education and you don’t know what you should do. Consider researching homeschool as an option! It really is a beautiful journey!

Nurturing your child’s strength, and allowing them space to grow

Posted on by rootedmama
2022

2020

Looking back over the past 11 years, I’m so thankful that we have leaned into, encouraged, and nurtured creativity.

Whether it be playing in boxes, writing a book, creating a treasure map, or a board game- these kids know how to entertain themselves when they are bored.

One of my favorite phrases that I’ve adopted is: “It’s not my job to entertain you”.

When the “I’m bored” sets in, or the “I don’t wanna…” get murmured, or technology gets taken away…it doesn’t take long, and these kids are creating something.

In my opinion, one of the most powerful aspects of parenting is knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and matching that with nurturing your child’s strengths and areas of growth.

What aspect of parenting are you most proud of, in your family?

The Gift of Traveling Full-Time

Posted on by rootedmama

Recently, I went back to work in Education.

That means, we are no longer traveling full-time. However, we still full-time in our RV.

As I’ve gone back to work, I’ve taken the opportunity these past few months, to reflect on what our time traveling has given us.

Traveling Has Given Me:

* The gift of time. The time to slow down. The time to go to sleep when we want. The time to wake up when we want. The time to do the things that we want to do.

* The gift of adventure. We got to go to new places and explore. Lots and lots of hiking.

* The gift of healing. Our time traveling was very healing for our family. There were some really hard times. If you think traveling will be a breeze- it’s not. It can be hard. And at the same time the hard parts mixed in with the fun and the mundane was very healing on the flip side of traveling.

* The gift on knowing what I want and what I’m good at. Getting outside of our comfort zone taught us to get a closer look at what my strengths, and where my areas of growth are. It has also revealed to me what I want out of life.

* The gift of risk taking. Living outside of the norm is a risk in itself; however, we had opportunities to take risks and try things we wouldn’t normally do!

Traveling during a pandemic was such a unique opportunity. Now that we are back to “normal life”, I can say, without a doubt, that I look forward to nomad life, again, someday!

Change is Needed

Posted on by rootedmama

There has been a lot going on the last two years. So. Much.

I already knew that we needed a change, as a society.

However, the last two years. . . It has really opened my eyes to just HOW MUCH change we need.

When I think of all the things that need to change. I am reminded that it starts on an individual level. One person makes changes in their lives, and then those changes have a ripple effect on the people their are closest to in their lives, and so on.

If you’re eyes are just opening to the fact their needs to be a monumental shift in America.

Start small.

Start with one small thing that you can implement in your life.

Think about the things you are watching, reading, how much time are you spending on social media? Think about the places you are spending your money. What are you putting your time and energy into?

Then, hone in on just one thing to change. Maybe, you and your family cut back on tv time, or the type of tv you’ve been watching. Maybe you shift the kind of music you’ve been listening to.

Change it. Set a goal for one day, for one week, for one month, for one year.

If you mess up. DO. NOT. Be. Hard.On.Yourself. Do not. DO not beat your self up. Give your self grace. Dust yourself off, and get back up, and keep at it.

I can’t tell you those things that you need to change. You know what’s best for yourself and your family.

I can give ideas and resources, and that’s what I’ll be here for.

Change is hard. You may see some small improvements. You may see no improvements. You and your family may take 1 step forward, just to get 10 steps backwards.

AND- you may come out of a season. . . And, all of a sudden. You’ll see it. The work you and your family has done to make changes. You’ll see the fruit. It’ll be beautiful. It’ll be worth it.

Let’s get ready for change.

Homeschool: Getting Started

Posted on by rootedmama

Starting homeschool can be a daunting task. Just like any “new” thing you may take on. Wondering where to start? How to start? What will it look like?

For us, we were leaving public school. So, after the disruption of the pandemic. After the transition from being stationary, to traveling full-time. We needed a reset.

We needed to take some time off of “traditional”, to re-frame what learning at home would look like for us.

If you’re like us, and you’re transitioning from public school to homeschool. . . There are many things to do to “get started”:

* Write it down! Write down what you think homeschooling will look like. Write down what you want it to look like. Write down your fears. Write down what you’re excited about. Write down your obstacles. Write down your values. Write down your why.

*Research: Curriculum and State Laws. Different styles of homeschooling. Schedules.

*Find community. Find a mentor.

*Keep the transition conversation flowing with your kids.

*Take a season to play and explore, and to learn naturally, before starting curriculum and schedules. Especially, if your family is transitioning from public/private/charter school to homeschool.

What questions do you have about homeschooling?