It is hard to believe I haven’t written since before Christmas. The time has just flown by. I think once you get out of the saddle of writing, its hard to get back up on the horse. At least it is for me. I see how that relates to our homeschooling as well. When things get in the way of our homeschooling and I have to put it on the back burner for a season, I can find it hard to jump back into things. I feel overwhelmed and discombobulated as to where to even begin. If I apply the following 5 steps getting back into things it doesn’t seem so overwhelming.
1. Take time to assess
First you need to assess your circumstances. What is preventing you from being able to accomplish what is needed? What special circumstances do you need to make allowances for? Make a list of what needs to be accomplished by everyone. It might be helpful if you divide your list into categories and include things that are not directly school related such as chores and outside activities. I would make an individual list for each person in the family.
2. Delete the unnecessary
I often have so many things I want to accomplish and I usually feel as if time is short, which causes me to try to cram too much into my day. At the end of the day, when only half of things I wanted to get done are completed, I can then feel defeated, which makes me want to jump out of the saddle. Look at your lists and see what can be deleted on a temporary or perhaps even permanent basis. Running hither and yon can greatly affect your ability to create and have a peaceful home.
3. Make a plan
I love planning! Often for me the follow-through is what is hard. The way I sabotage myself in my planning is I try to make my schedules too strict, not leaving time for the inevitable unforeseen circumstance. You will do much better if your schedule isn’t planned in small increments, but more of a list to follow. If you know that after breakfast you will do morning chores it won’t matter if the cat has kittens between waking up and breakfast, you will know that after breakfast you will do the next thing. If you are on a timed schedule where you must have breakfast by 8:30 and begin chores at 9, you will feel that you are already behind in your day if you take the time to watch the miracle of the kittens birth.
4. Take action!
This is where I fall many times. I make a great plan, but fail to take action. Often is because of over planning, and other times due to procrastination. I have found it to be helpful if I take my plan in small bites. For instance, on day one add a few of the activities on the list (I would start with necessities, chores, reading, math) and do that for a couple of days. Once you get into a flow with those activities, add a couple of others, repeat until you have added in all that you have in your plan.
5. Fine tune
Don’t be afraid to tweak your plan or schedule. As you begin to go through your day you are sure to find things that don’t work just right. It may be that you need to change the time of day when you do an activity. We always did math right after Bible. That took the most concentration for my girls and I found that they did better if they tackled that first. Don’t get frustrated that something isn’t working, try to find out why its not working. The most important hint I can give you is: make your schedule your servant, don’t be a slave to your schedule.
If you have any other hints for getting back in the saddle, please share them!
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