They Won't Get Dumb!

With all the craziness just getting more crazy, I haven been pondering a lot lately.  What should our response be?  If and how should we alter our live?  How can we help others?

Quite frankly, other than the annoyance I feel going to the grocery store and seeing the crazy first hand (though that seems limited here for now) our lives have not changed drastically.  We are a homeschooling family by choice,  have been for over 23 years.  Our normal day involves staying home and schooling our kids.  Social distancing is our strength.  Kidding.  Mostly.  Because we just moved, quite honestly, we do not have other outside commitments yet.  Looks like getting to know our neighbors and our area will have to wait in some regards.

But truth be known, I am a little stunned by all the chatter about what to do with your kids who are now at home.  Without trying to be snarky, what do you DO with your kids on weekends or during the summer, and why is this any different?  They are your kids after all.
I do completely get that for families with two working parents, or a single working parent, things have now complicated your lives.  When you depend on those incomes and have no one to be home with your kids now, things get complicated- it is a serious problem and my heart breaks for you.  I am so sorry for that stress and pray you will be able to find acceptable answers for the next few weeks or months.

But, for families that have one parent home anyway- what's the deal?

I know many schools have successfully put lessons on line or have sent home work to be done.  Yay- that is great!  BUT- if no school work is done for the next two weeks or even 2 months, they will be fine!  So will you!

Due to some things we were working through and a program my son has been a part of for the last six months, our school day and school work looked a bit different from what we were used to.  My first reaction was fear, so I get it!  But something the sweet program director said to me has stuck in my brain and I want to share it with you-

He is not going to get dumb in 6 months!

Or two weeks, or however long this social distancing lasts!  Count on it!  Once I really let that sink in, I relaxed.  I hope you will to.

Yes, do whatever school your child's teacher sends home.  But more importantly, use this as a time to reclaim your family.

• Enjoy the slower pace of your day!  You may find you get some rest you didn't realize you needed!
• Spend time with your kids!  You may recapture their hearts along the way!
• Get outside and get some fresh air!  You will feel the stress fall away, and hey, maybe we will even lose a pound or two!
• Be kind! This is a time in our lives that we have the opportunity to shine for Jesus!  Go big, or go home! 
• Unplug from the chaos!  If the news makes you anxious, turn it off.  Family time is much more fun!
• Look for the blessings.  Instead of talking about how bad things are or are going to get, spend time as a family identifying the good that can come from this situation.  They are there if you just look.

Oh friends, we will persevere.  Trust that nothing affects us that has not been passed through the loving hands of our God first!  Reach out to others, dive into His Word, and enjoy your family!

John 14:27-

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

If we can pray for you, please reach out!  It is our honor to do so.

Blessings,

 We are linking up with the newest Timberdoodle blog hop to inspire you during this crazy time!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Peaceful, Not Perfect

If you know me at all, you may already know I have a thing about perfection.  I desire a perfect house, perfect children, perfect plans, and on and on.  As you can imagine, I have been let down many times because of that unrealistic expectation.


In my quest to simply my life more and more, and in an attempt to intentionally be living the life that GOD has for me, I am ruminating on several things I want to share with you, my fellow perfectionists!

•  Instead of trying to fit it ALL into my life, I am asking the question- Does this add value to my life?  Whether that is an activity, or a book, or even something as simple as a "thing" I want to buy, I am asking that question.  Why add stuff without adding value?

• Is this MY plan or GOD'S?  Trust me, there is a difference.  My plan often seems pretty good, but I know by faith that God's is better.   

• These kids belong first to GOD, then to me.  As hard as it is, I must hold loosely to them and trust that again, God has a better plan.

 

• I am not, nor are my kiddos or husband, perfect.  Nor do we have to pretend to be.  We make mistakes.  We are selfish.  We are sinful.  I have to trust that God forgives us of those sins, is teaching us, and continues to draw us closer to him, despite those sins.  Our friends will have to love us as we are, the good, bad and ugly.

• Stuff is not the answer, God is.  More things, a perfect home, whatever- it will not fill us.  Only God can and will.

• Peace comes from God and God alone.  The Bible says in John 14:27- "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  

Friends, I long to live a peaceful life.  Not one full of perfect plans, or a perfect house, or even perfect kids.


Just one full of a perfect God!


How about you?


Blessings,

TOS Crew Review- Preschoolers and Peace

Preschoolers and Peace is a wonderful blog dedicated to passing on homeschooling resources and encouraging moms of little ones who are trying to homeschool others kids at the same time.  Last year, it's founder, Kendra Fletcher, complied the best of that web site and produced a delightful e-book called Preschoolers and Peace- Homeschooling Older Kids With Success While Loving the Little Ones at Your Feet.

Kendra Fletcher, mom of 8 children, has been homeschooling her kiddos for many years and trust me on this one, she knows what she is talking about!  Having little people at your ankles while you are trying to teach Chemistry is challenging.  Helping a child learn a noun from a verb is hard when you have someone banging on the pots and pans in the kitchen.  Keeping track of your highschooler's transcript while you chase a screaming, naked toddler around the house is exasperating.  But it CAN be done.  And with God's help, it can be done well and glorify Him at the same time.

Here's what you will find in these powerful chapters: 

What a Homeschooling Mom Needs- Why the Gospel is important in your everyday routine.  Kendra is right, we must weave the Gospel message into the days of our kids- here is how.

Preparing Yourself to Homeschool Older Kids With Little Ones Underfoot- Kendra explains how starting your day in prayer can help you end your day in peace.  In my personal experience, on the days I arm myself with the word of God and His peace our days run more smoothly.  Give it a try!

Planning Around Preschoolers- Help yourself by having a schedule without becoming a slave to it.  Ok, you KNOW I love schedules around here!  Read and re-read this chapter!

How Do I Keep Them Busy?- A practical list of activities to keep your child happily playing and some helpful tips as well.  My absolute favorite- divide the big toys into days.  We did this when my kids were younger and boy, did it help.  They soon had the schedule memorized and each day anticipated their "new" toy being brought out.

What Does a 2-Year-Old's Day Look Like?- If you have hours in your day you just don't know what to do with, you will like this chapter.  Pull up a chair, and see exactly how Kendra's day might look. Sometimes it helps to just peek into someone else's life!

How Do I Get Any Preschooling Done?- Want to hear one of my favorite quotes from Kendra? "The beautiful thing about choosing to homeschool a preschooler is that you've got great flexibility!"  Wish I had heard that a few years ago.  Flexibility is a powerful tool.

How Not to Just Kill Time- Believe it or not, moms of little ones, the time will fly by.  Kendra shares with you in this chapter some things she wished she had spent more time doing.  Here's what struck me most from this chapter...mom or not, we must continue to live life!  Are you doing that?

Circle Time: Or How We Pull the Little Ones In- Yes!  They can be included in your homeschool day and here's how.

Preschool Boys-Been there, done that and still have my sanity, I promise.  But as Kendra states, little boys need assignments or they can wreak havoc.  By keeping them busy you WILL gain more peace.

When All of Your Kiddos Are Preschoolers- a fun little chapter from a mom who had 6 under the age of 7 at one time.  (yes, you read that right!) Be flexible and simplify- can I hear an AMEN?

Preschool Chores-  Moms cannot and should not do it all, so in this chapter Kendra shares appropriate chores for 2, 3, 4, and 5 year olds.  Let the chores begin!

Planning for Preschool- A quick, but important word about obedience.  The rule in our house is first time obedience.  Does it always happen? Of course not.  But it is expected and enforced. Someday maybe it will be perfected, right?

When Mama is Worn Out (or Pregnant)- Again, more practical advice from someone who understands.  My favorite part of this chapter is meal planning.  Seriously, if you are flying by the seat of your pants every night for dinner, you are NOT doing yourself any favors.  Have a plan- even if it is simple.  You can thank me later.

As a bonus, Kendra ends her book with a wonderful resource list that can point you to all kinds of things that will help you through this challenging  stage.  The list alone can save you a ton of energy and Google time! ;)

While I no longer have preschoolers in my home, I remember those days well.  They are full of fun and giggles and beautiful new discoveries.  But it can also be a time of tantrums, exhaustion and chaos.  Let me assure you, friends, that what you do day in and day out is important.  Let Kendra share her insight and resources with Preschoolers and Peace to help you in your journey.  You will be blessed!

You can Find Preschoolers and Peace-

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreschoolersandPeace
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KendraEFletcher
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kenj/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+KendraFletcher/posts

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/preschoolersandpeace

You can buy the e-book Preschoolers and Peace for $2.99.