I am guilty of multi-tasking…are you? There are so many tasks a Homeschool Mom has to complete in a day…taking care of the home, cooking, cleaning (I don’t do that a lot anymore…but, that’s a different post for a different day), teaching, praying (I do that…um, a lot!), reading, writing, counseling…loving, hugging, giggling, playing…ok, you get the picture.
So…..how do we have time to do anything we enjoy?
Well…I have to admit, homeschooling has given me the opportunity to refresh an old love/hobby…that I forgot all about! Ready?
OK…I love to write (go figure, right!?) And crochet, cook, bake, paint, read, sew (I use that term very loosely)…and sometimes…watch movies.
Before homeschooling, I never had time to do most of those. Now, our days are built around them! Not just my hobbies, but my children as well. One loves to draw and write poetry, another…skateboard, one loves to sing…many times, they’re out swinging in the trees enjoying the freedom of a rope swing or zip line.
All in all….we have found many new and old hobbies. Our schedule allows us to enjoy so many of them. Yes, we have our ‘work’ that we do…but, it looks completely different than it did last year or the year before.
So, here is the question for you this week…What have you found? Have you found a new or old hobby…one that you never had the chance to do…or could not do if you did not homeschool? Have you found your ‘gifts’/'talents’? Share them…encourage others…and if you haven’t had a chance to think about it…I ask you this: WHY NOT! Teach your children…by showing them that you can learn something new that you never thought you could do! Encourage them…inspire them….but, wait…don’t go away…Tell us what those things are!!!! Leave us a comment…. I always love Wednesdays and chatting with everyone!
Rebecca is a Hip Homeschool Moms Senior Team Member, in love with Christ, her husband and her three children. She spends her days reading, writing, cooking, baking, etc and blogs at Mom’s Mustard Seeds
YES! I just signed up for an on-line art class today. This morning I sat at the table, drawing, and my kids were watching and begging to draw, too!
My house is so dirty… sigh. But I’m having fun!
Camille, YEAH! That is so awesome! Will you come back, and let us know if you post any pictures? And…I know you already know this…one day, your house will stay clean…no more little hands or feet running around unaware of the rule that we learn along the way that a house must be clean…so, I say relish in the moment and good for you! Now, for me to put your wisdom into action!
Rebecca
I have more time to work with our 4-H group since we homeschool
Our group is mostly homeschooled children and these kids are awesome ! We do service oriented projects and fun projects and as a parent volunteer I have as much fun as my kids do.I would highly recomend it to anybody !
Yeah for 4-H….I want to get involved with that…I think my kids would love it….I guess I just need to look into it, right?
I always loved acting and writing, but once I found that my kids and a bunch of their friends wanted to have drama clubs and drama camps and acting classes, I gave myself “permission” to spend the time it takes to actually write plays and produce them. It’s been a blast, and I’m not sure I would ever have done it if it hadn’t been for homeschooling. Now, eleven years after this passion started getting some time, I have a whole file drawer of plays I’m editing and getting ready to self-publish. It’s been a blessing for the kids and for their mom!
Oh, that word, permission…why do we think we need to give ourselves permission to utilize the gifts/talents we are given? I am so thankful to hear you have found a way to help your entire family utilize those and it fits so well!!! I am sure your home is full with a lot of laughter as you dive into your plays together!
I love seeing my daughter taking a huge interest in hobbies that I am also into! Sewing, knitting, embroidery…it’s exciting to get to share these wonderful hobbies with her!
Amy, you can knit and do embroidery? I can crochet…but, knitting confuses me for some reason and embroidery…I’ve just not had the opportunity yet (or taken it) to learn it! BUT, YEAH for doing it with your daughter!!! That is so incredibly wonderful! Do you have pictures to share?
OK, Rebecca… spill. How do you have time to do these things and blog so successfully? I would love to do more of the things I love but I just cannot find the time. Once we get our core subjects out of the way, half of our day is over. I would love your insights on how you plan out your day. Thanks.
Tabitha, ok, I just fell out of my chair…blog successfully? I don’t know what that means. I just love to write…and can usually write something in a very short amount of time (depending on how often I am interrupted)…and that’s because I’m generally ‘writing’ in my head long before my fingers hit the keys.
For everything else…I don’t do it all at once…and never all on the same day. I do not do all of the cleaning, I don’t do the laundry and I generally don’t clean the kitchen. My two older children are taking over those jobs…learning to serve/love our family….so, I’m not doing it all…I never ever want anyone to think that! For our school…we’re taking on a leadership/principle/cm approach to learning…that means we read a lot..>I read, they read…and they write…while they write, I write…we play games…and yes, our day is generally half over by the time school is finished…sometimes the kids don’t finish until evening because we’ll take a break and they’ll go back later. Maybe I”ll post about that next week…is that a topic you’d like to dive into? I’m always looking for great questions to ask and answer…but, I am by no means an expert…just a Mom….who loves to write! (I appreciate your comment…but…well, there is one thing..finances are tight, so, we don’t go a lot of places and I stay up late with my husband because he works late…so, we just run our house on a 24 hour basis…does that help any?)_
Yes, that helps. I love knowing how other homeschooling moms find a balance. Mine seems to be all out of whack. My four children are all under the age of seven so that might have a lot to do with it but I rarely reach the bottom of my to-do list. That’s not quite right… I NEVER reach the end of my to-do list in a day, leaving me frustrated and exhausted or with a headache like I have today.
Wow, 4 below 7….just enjoy this time and know that as they grow….things will change (they don’t get easier)…just different and then, you’ll have a little more time to invest in more of your own loves…or, you can start some of your ‘loves’ now…by having them do some with you. Everything they learn….is wonderful, especially when learning with Mom and Dad!
Thank you, Rebecca. I will definitely think about things I can do with the children. I appreciate your encouragement.
Hmmmm. You’ve got me thinking, mama. Obviously, I love to write, and it’s a passion of mine that homeschooling allows flexibility to pursue. But there are lots of things I’ve always wanted to try, but never “had time” for, even though I have as much time as anybody else! Maybe I ought to buy a couple of “for Dummies” books and seek new passions. :0)
I have a couple of those books on my wish list! Maybe we can compare and try them together!
Rebecca, you are my hero … if we ever have this house sold and I can quit cleaning every stray animal hair for all of five minutes, my children will be educated, my blog will be up to date and my ever droopy derriere may get a workout
but a girl can dream ….
OH, now selling a house…that’s another story, too…..Can’t wait to share LOTS of stories with you at Blissdom!