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?
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.
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.
Today, progress looks like my kids playing bookstore!
They set up stations: a bookstore and a restaurants.
Now, they are taking turns visiting each establishment.
Free/pretend play is so important for kids to explore their creativity. To explore social interactions. To understand the world around them.
Last week, we started limiting technology time.
Since the pandemic began, we’ve been in transition after transition both physically (which is to be expected when you travel full-time), and in regards to finding employment opportunities that help us live this lifestyle. During this time, we have relied a little more on technology than we would have normally.
Sometimes, we have periods of more technology than other times. I’m learning to accept that’s ok! However, it’s important to notice when technology is interrupting healthy day-to-day functioning!
So, when the kids were throwing fits and having meltdowns, we knew it was time to adjust our schedule, and re-focus them on how to handle situations.
Today is a small victory! Our house feels peaceful, once again- as my kids are exploring free/pretend play, while getting along, and treating each other with kindness!
For my son’s birthday, back in October, he wanted me to make him a cake. The way our plans for him played out, we didn’t have time on his birthday. So, we got him cupcakes from Wal-mart, and had his birthday experience celebration. I told him we can always make one later.
Then, life happened. And we didn’t make time around his birthday to make a cake. Well, I had the idea to celebrate with a birthday cake on his 1/2 birthday. . . And he has been eating it up ( no pun intended).
He has been living it up, all day!
Friday donuts were, of course, for his 1/2 birthday. Haha.
He got to lick the spoon AND the whisk, because, of course, it‘s his 1/2 birthday.
Needless to say- I think we’ve started a new tradition.
One of these kids just walked up to me, with a look on their face that said “I’m about to say something sweet and thoughtful” only to then come out and say: “Mom, But why does it have to rain alllll day???”
Like I have some sort of control over what the weather does??
Y’all know those older metal slides? The ones that are tall, steep, get really hot in the sun, and you go down them really fast?
My daughter had been watching her brothers, among a ton of other kids, go down this slide for the two days.
The first day, I was able to distract her and tell her that I couldn’t take her up it…it was too steep…..
The second day, though….she had enough. She saw that monster of a slide, and began climbing up it confidently. Like she owned it. Like she had done this a thousand times.
After about the second step, I -of course- had to support her all the way to the top…encouraging her all the way up. Going down the slide, with her. It was scary to see this little 2 year old climbing up this mountain of a slide, with no fear, whatsoever.
At the bottom, I realized something. I realized, that I could have missed a great opportunity
An opportunity to empower my daughter to do something big, no matter how big the obstacle.
And since that moment, she has continued to try new and scary things. This little 2 year old is learning the meaning of adventure and explore. She’s learning to conquer.
And these are the moments that make up the saying: Though she may be little, she is fierce.
I love that part of my job as a mom is to nurture our babies into the humans they will become. No matter who I think they should be, or who I want them to be.
If we listen closely, we can tune into who they are, and guide them to become the best version of who they are meant to be. We can teach them how to climb the mountains.
Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed some new faces around here. . .so, I thought I’d introduce myself.
My family and I travel full-time. We homeschool while on the road, and we work remotely. And sometimes, we work camp!!
I started writing years ago, because I needed an outlet. Writing is therapeutic for me. I internalize my thoughts over and over again. Which, cranks up my anxiety.
SO, I started writing as a way to get those thoughts out of my head. To process. To verbalize all that internal thinking.
I’ve found that I love writing about a whole host of topics: anxiety/depression/mental health, marriage, parenting, education and homeschool, health and wellness, my walk with Jesus. . .and I LOVE sharing my passion of photography.
So, welcome AND thank you for following along this journey!! I’m humbled that you choose to take the time out of your day to read and join along!
11 years ago, this girl had NO IDEA that the pain she was going to walk through over the next few months and years….it would be hard. It would be dark. It would affect her relationship with her fiancé. It would affect her future pregnancies. It would take time to heal herself, and her future marriage.
If you have lost a baby- no matter how long you knew you were pregnant… your pain is real. I have no words for the hurt and pain you are feeling, because although I have been there…your story is different than mine.
If you’ve been feeling the hurt and the pain for days, weeks, months, years…yes, even after you’ve welcomed other children into the world…know that you are not alone.
I can’t promise anything to you. I can’t promise you a rainbow baby. I can’t promise the hurt will never go away. I can’t promise that around certain dates your mood won’t be affected.
But there is one who is a promise keeper. And it may not feel like it now, but He is sitting with you through your pain.
And if you allow it…the pain you are going through can allow you to grow, heal, and see that the days that were associated with deep grief and hurt…new days come and they can be associated with joy, love, and peace.
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