The Mindful Homeschool

Last week I was complaining of feeling burnt out.  I felt like I really needed a break.  But looking back I realized that if I would have made some adjustments earlier, I would not have felt so crispy.

First of all, I need to get out of the house and into the ”out of doors” for at least a short time each day, frigid weather or not.  Last week, partly because of the weather I did not do that.

Secondly, I need to do yoga (or some other equally good exercise) at least three times a week.  Last week, once again, partly because it was so cold, I did not do that.  I also need to hit the mat regularly, daily, if possible.   And let’s face it, it is possible.  I can find at least a few minutes every day to do some poses.

I need to focus more on getting adequate sleep.  I need say no more.

I need to spend some time each day reading from my meditation book and focusing on my spiritual health, for lack of a better way of saying it.  I need to meditate. 

I need to focus on what is truly important to me right now:  my children, my family, our health and education, and God as I understand God right now.  There are other things that I could add to the list but this will suffice for now.  I need to be mindful of where my time is going and whether or not it is going to the right places.

I need to take time for myself to do the basics to keep myself moving on an even keel.  

I need regular “me” time even if it is only for a short period of time, like 10-15 minutes.

I need to journal, especially when I cannot see things clearly or understand things clearly.

I need to practice being in the moment with my kids and not off somewhere else for at least a few minutes every day. 

I need to discover what brings me joy and avoid what brings me down.

I need to plan fun into my schedule so that there is always something to look forward to.

I need to meet up with other HS people who can share this journey with me.  I need to focus more on making connections with other like-minded parents.  And focus more on connections in general.

I need to practice gratitude and act accordingly.

I need to spend some time each day enjoying a good book.    

And lastly, I need to do all these things because I want to burn brightly but not burn out. 

Can I brag just a little? 

This winter the three children, Papa and I have been skating on the ice down by the marsh every chance we get.  And I am afraid that our skating days may be numbered.  So it is with great pride that I will announce that this winter we have made skaters of them all.  This has been one of those unconscious goals of mine for a long time. 

Everyone, I am sure, has ideas of what experiences they want to share with their kids, right?  Well, one of mine has been to raise kids who were comfortable swimming in a pool or lake in the summertime and also able to skate across an icy surface in the winter time.  And enjoy ice skating enough that you wanted the frigid cold days of winter to last just a little longer just to be able to skate outdoors just a little longer. 

Today we all skated outside on the pond.  It was glorious.  The sun was out part of the time and we warmed up enough to take our jackets off and skate in our sweatshirts and long-sleeved shirts.  Glorious. 

One of the neighbor’s grandparents saw W skating out there and commented that W had “style” and had a future in hockey.  That was a nice compliment to hear.  And there were no lessons, not even informal lessons.  We paid no money, other than what we spent on buying the skates.  We just laced them up and sent them out onto the ice.  We took them ice skating every chance we got.  And this year we were lucky, yes, lucky, that it has been cold up here in this neck of the woods. 

So even though I am looking forward to spending more time outside in warmer, spring weather and I am looking forward to playing outside without having to spend a lot of time dressing for it I am not ready to say goodbye to ol’ man winter just yet. 

It has been so wonderful to see my children skating faster and more confidently on the ice.  It has been a great way to play outside on these cold days of le bons hivers.  (That’s the good winter, n’est pas?)  We have taken photos.  I have blogged about it.   And we have made memories sharing good times with family and friends on our frozen pond. 

When it is time to go, we will wish it a fond farewell.  But not until then.  We will be out there every day we can, trudging down the hill with our sleds, water bottles, bubble gum, skates and shovels.  Making winter memories for those hot, dog days of summer that are sure to come, but in their own good time.