| I like having fun, especially with kids. A few years ago, | | | | more precious. Give yourself permission to kick back |
| when describing one of my classes to the principal of | | | | and enjoy! |
| a school where I taught, I caught myself using one of | | | | You also need to take time for yourself, to have fun |
| my favorite expressions: "We have a lot of fun in | | | | apart from the daily grind of housework, childcare and |
| there!" | | | | teaching. I hope that you are involved with other home |
| She smiled and replied, "I believe it." She knew me well. | | | | educators, either in an organized support group or |
| My husband and I joke that my mood ring is | | | | casually with a few friends. We need to spend time |
| permanently purple, the color of passion. I do tend to | | | | with like-minded people and learn to laugh at ourselves. |
| be passionate about most things. My family expects | | | | I remember a skit that another mom and I performed |
| that mom is usually up or higher, but I'm sad to say that | | | | with our children for talent night at a homeschool |
| they have seen my other side, too! | | | | support group. It was hilarious. I still laugh when I think of |
| I hope that my tombstone will read something like SHE | | | | it. I was the frumpy homeschool mom dressed in an |
| HAD FUN. Seems frivolous, but not really. We honor | | | | old robe, my hair askew. I had slept in and was feeling |
| the Lord by embracing life--by using our gifts, enjoying | | | | lazy. Kids littered the stage; the house was a disaster. |
| people, squeezing the goodness out of our | | | | The kids suggested making pancakes. I feebly |
| experiences and consciously living in the centre of | | | | mentioned that we were running late, we should get to |
| God's will. Whether our circumstances are pleasurable | | | | our schoolwork, but hey, we hadn't done science in |
| or not, we can be content and offer praise. In the | | | | quite awhile. Why not make pancakes as an |
| midst of it all, we can and should have a lot of fun. | | | | experiment! (That was so close to home, I blush to |
| Think of it as teaching life skills. What could be more | | | | remember) |
| valuable than learning to enjoy life! | | | | Suddenly, the doorbell rang. It was our homeschool |
| Does that mean that we have to make learning a | | | | facilitator, the dreaded MRS. HOOKNOSE! To the |
| laugh a minute, to always entertain our kids so that | | | | horror of my kids and me, I had forgotten our |
| they never grumble about their work? No, of course | | | | appointment! She was ridiculously strict, her glasses |
| not. It does mean that we should model right attitudes | | | | perched on the end of her nose and her hair tied back |
| and teach them that even disagreeable tasks can be | | | | severely in a bun. She hugged a clipboard to her chest, |
| done with a thankful heart. There is nothing thrilling or | | | | carried a huge ugly black briefcase and held a pen in |
| hilarious about a math lesson, cleaning the toilet or | | | | the air as if she were about to strike. Her voice was |
| dusting (man, I hate dusting!), but lighthearted people | | | | high-pitched and she clicked her tongue and glared. I |
| take those tasks in their stride and quickly get on to | | | | was mortified and nervous. |
| the more exciting parts of their day. I once had a bitter | | | | Ironically, today I work as a homeschool facilitator and I |
| friend who resented scrubbing the toilet so much that | | | | find myself in the role of Mrs. Hooknose! What a |
| she kicked it each time she cleaned it, which seemed | | | | shock! At least that's how I feel some days, and at |
| silly to me. There's no need to kick the toilet. It will be | | | | times I'm sure that's how others perceive me. I |
| dirty again next week! | | | | sometimes recognize that nervous look and uncertain |
| Sadly, when I was homeschooling, worries and | | | | tone when I'm talking to moms and I wonder if they |
| frustrations often took my smile away. The demands | | | | aren't feeling the way that I felt in our skit. Sometimes I |
| of my life routinely sapped my strength and joy. At | | | | have to pull myself aside and say, "Lighten up, |
| those times I became an ogre, barking orders, nagging | | | | Hooknose!" |
| and grumbling. | | | | As we begin the final stretch of this school year, let's |
| We need to lighten up and give our kids and us time to | | | | remind ourselves that this too shall pass and that it's |
| be silly and non-productive. Recess is not an option; it's | | | | okay to have a little fun. We all need to lighten up. |
| essential for you as well as for them. So are holidays. | | | | Nothing is perfect, but we are trying to do our best. |
| Schedule some regular goof-off days. Just don't get | | | | We don't always succeed, but hey, tomorrow is |
| into the habit of cancelling school on a whim, either | | | | another day. If we want to homeschool well, then let |
| theirs or yours. Plan for those days of rest; they'll be | | | | the fun begin! |