This post is part of Thirty Things That Help.
…And change will happen
Yesterday’s post was a reminder that when you don’t like something in your homeschool set-up, you can change it. Today’s is a reminder that change is going to happen either way, whether you initiate it or not.
Sometimes homeschooling can feel like a blur of indistinguishable days, each running unremarkably into the next. But the truth is that things are always shifting. Seasons and weather change, children grow and their interests and needs change, your mood and hormones and energy levels will fluctuate. We’re often looking for the perfect way to do something—meals, a curriculum, extracurricular activities and so on—but the truth is there is no perfect way, or at least it won’t be perfect for long.
To me that regular adjustment can sometimes feel like I am never quite getting it right. But really, adjusting to changing needs is the only way to go. When the facts change, I change my mind. There’s no point sticking to a rigid timetable if your child is obsessed with one particular subject and they can learn all they need to know right now by diving deep into that one area. There’s no point determinedly clinging to unschooling if your family has reached a point where they’re just bored and listless and don’t know what to do with all that freedom.
And it’s true of much smaller things too. Just when you’ve nailed the perfect packed lunch to take on outings (and stocked the pantry), your child will suddenly decide they don’t like half the foods they used to love. You get a weekly schedule that works for everyone, and then a brilliant new activity crops up that means you need to reassess. Perhaps a government shutdown happens and all the places you thought you’d be visiting are suddenly closed…!
Change happens all the time, so don’t worry too much about finding the perfect balance or routine or curriculum. Do what works now, and accept that things will change and you can adapt. It doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It means you’re paying attention.
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The image for this post is from Chris Lawton via Unsplash.
There is a supremely Taoist sentiment underlying this post and I love it ☯️
"When the facts change, I change my mind!" Yes, indeed. I am so much better at being flexible than scheduled, so this was a great reminder that these constant shifts are somewhat inevitable and not just a result of my approach.