Consistency
Consistency is key in so many aspects of life: Parenting, home education, incorporating a new habit, our spiritual formation, physical health.
Just showing up 5 days a week to school your kids is HUGE! You’re going to make progress every time you make lessons a part of your daily rhythm of life. Do the hard things. Let your kids know that they are sometimes hard for you and Pray Together about those hard things. This sets an example of how to handle difficulties. Even when you find yourself whining, complaining and procrastinating, once you recognize it, call it out, and PRAY. The Lord cares about you! He sees you and knows your weakness and desires to help you. He is not only your best advocate, teacher and friend, but He is all those things for your kids, too. Lead them to Him.
Consistency could also be called 'Discipline’, a word that may strike fear in your heart, but the concept is so strategic to the cultivation in our lives of good and great ideas into the reality of our daily existence.
Charlotte Mason writes that “Education is an Atmosphere (of Ideas), A Discipline, and a Life.”
By ‘education is a discipline,’ we mean the discipline of habits, formed definitely and thoughtfully, whether habits of mind or body.
A Philosophy of Education, p. xvii
In seeking to Home Educate, I have set my life, as a parent into an intentional way of living that will form myself and my children into intelligent human beings. This does not come without effort! Further, sustained effort over many years is necessary. Recognizing this as a lifestyle choice, then, I must choose, over and over, to act to educate!
So often, I hear parents downplay their lack of consistency not realizing that the younger years are a time to lay down the rails for the future health, wellness and success of their students. Your actions have the potential to set a foundation for stability, a framework for peace, and the life of the family. We are stewards of these lives. Children are entrusted to us for a short time. Guard this precious opportunity to lay a solid foundation of wisdom and knowledge that can serve them well their whole life.
“If you want to change the world, start by making your bed.” Jordan Peterson
This is just a little bit of practical advice. I have incorporated this habit into my life and it’s just one little thing to do that sets my morning up to create order from chaos. Once I timed it and it took 20 seconds, so it is quick, but all day I can see that at least that one thing is in order. It is very satisfying.
You can read (or listen to) this very short book Make Your Bed: Little Things Which Can Change Your Life by William H McRaven
I know that you may be feeling quite overwhelmed at times. I understand. Watch “I Cannot Keep Up” by poet Tanner Olson. It’s a dash of reality in the midst of a hope-filled prayer.
Some tips to develop consistency
Be intentional about setting a specific time to do school.
Show up!
Some things may have to be left undone to accomplish lessons. So be it. They will wait for you.
PRAY about it. Ask the Lord to help you. He won’t love you less when you’re falling apart.
Schedule your life around school. Don’t set up appointments or outside activities during this time. It is sacred.
Don’t answer the phone, text, etc. Leave it in another room.
Intentionally alleviate ALL distractions.
Make a plan to control chaos and keep going back to it until it has been achieved.
Get your spouse on the same page and ask for help as needed.
Make your bed every morning. Pull up the covers, plump the pillows into place and you’ve accomplished something!
Get dressed.