Last night I went to an event with Homeschool Chic. I am friends with Quinn Curtis and Jenny Bradshaw, who started it as a business to help support homeschooling families. I was looking for summer ideas for my kids, and Natalie Goddard was presenting and I adore her.
Natalie talked about four things that I loved. She said to always ask yourself, are you feeling "expired" or "inspired"? I thought about that and realized that I often feel expired when it comes to my kids. There just aren't enough hours in the day and I feel like I am always hollering at them. "Get your homework done! Pick up your clothes! Put your dishes in the sink!" Since they are at school the rest of the day, it means that my interaction with them is usually a grumpy interaction. So this was a good statement to ponder. Some things need to change.
She then gave us a pattern to follow.
1. Pray. Pray to find the answer to what your children and family need for that day. She quoted Brigham Young who said, "Pay attention to what the Lord requires, and let the balance go."
2. Decide What I Value (and what my children value). Connect with what has value in your childrens' lives and put your energy into what they (and you) value.
3. Develop Habits. It takes 21 days to make a habit. She uses cues like songs to have transitions to mealtime and family prayers.
4. Repeat!
I tend to complicate life rather than simplify. I love learning from people who have the ability to drill down to what is needed instead of creating additional clutter.
I got several ideas of things that I want to do this summer, so maybe I will take pictures and put them on Pinterest.
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