So there is this thing I’ve been doing ever since I was a little girl. I’m not sure where I got it from, but my guess would be from a book long forgotten. You may find it to be supremely cheesy, but I’m going to tell you about it anyway.
It’s something I do every single day. Now and then throughout the day, when I’m feeling content or excited or happy or whatever, I try to take a mental snapshot of the moment. Some days are wonderful and are filled to the brim with mental snapshots (think: our wedding, the birth of children, etc.), while other days it’s more of a struggle to take even one snapshot (think: THIS). Every evening, I reflect upon these snapshots and I pick a highlight. It is the moment from the day that I feel especially grateful for.
Except…
I have found that when life gets crazy- even if life-in-general is going well- I take fewer snapshots. When my days do not have enough space between all the things, I have trouble staying present in the moment. I find myself wishing moments away, telling myself that things will be better tomorrow, or next week, etc.
This type of thinking is troublesome because every parent knows that this season of motherhood is gone in a blink. We know we’re going to miss this.
Homeschool Mindfulness
When the stars align and you achieve mindful parenting, it is amazing. But, how do we stay there?
Today, over on Simple Homeschool, I’m talking about something I call homeschool mindfulness. I would love it if you could head over and join the conversation. I’d love to hear about your days and how you achieve this ever-elusive mindfulness. Have you been able to make it stick? Do you have the answer?
I certainly don’t. Every time I achieve homeschool mindfulness, it eventually slips from my grasp.
But, I am happy to report we are in it right now (and you can read about that over on Simple Homeschool).
In an attempt to stay here, I’ve taken extra mental snapshots. I’ve even taken actual snapshots to capture the moments as they fly by. Here are a few highlights from the past week or so:
Froggin’ .
Running through sprinklers and building fairy houses.
Taking time to smell the flowers at one of our favorite farms.
Kitchen helpers.
Imagination. And Linda.
Sweet moments.
Eating outside.
Dirty kids, happy faces.
Beautiful moments.
More fairy houses.
Little gardeners, working on little garden beds.
Nothing says childhood like a boy in dirt.
Yoga with THIS guy.
If you are looking to add more mindfulness to your homeschool, check out these posts:
Now, it’s your turn. Tell me: How do you stay present in the moment as a homeschooling parent? Share here!
Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley
Cait co-hosts The Homeschool Sisters Podcast and is co-founder of Raising Poppies, a community for parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children. Cait is also founder of the Family Book Club at My Little Poppies, a fantastic community of book-loving parents and the Gameschool Community at My Little Poppies, a vibrant community of gameschoolers.
Cait is a contributing writer for Simple Homeschool. Her work has also appeared on The Huffington Post, The Mighty, Scary Mommy, GeekMom, and many others. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram
and G+.
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Ticia says
May 19, 2016 at 1:45 pmThis week has felt that way for me. Sigh, thankfully there’s significantly less doctor’s appointments next week.
Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley says
May 19, 2016 at 2:52 pmI hope it is a better week!!
Susan Evans says
May 19, 2016 at 2:17 pmI love all your beautiful snapshots! What a great way to be mindful and enjoy the moment!
Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley says
May 19, 2016 at 2:51 pmThank you, Susan! I especially enjoyed your post today. It reminded me of being present in the moment!
Sara says
May 19, 2016 at 2:42 pmI find keeping the number of activities out of the house to a minimum is critical. When we’re constantly on the run, I don’t homeschool well. We’re running from activity to activity and rushing through the day. On the other hand when we’re operating on a relaxed schedule, we have time for a spontaneous discussion on the American Revolution, cooking lessons, or to enjoy a great book as a family. 🙂
Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley says
May 19, 2016 at 2:52 pmSo true! You leave more space for learning when you clear the calendar 🙂
Ashley Wright says
October 26, 2016 at 2:02 pmThis very much how I feel about it and how without even realizing it I have been teaching my son since birth. Schedules and programs didn’t work for us when he was an infant and they still don’t. Attachment parenting felt right and so does allowing the learning to be for the most part directed by him. We then find opportunities to learn through online.
Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley says
October 27, 2016 at 6:20 am<3 Ashley