Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Christmas for Mommies

Posted by Tracy Wainwright at 10:35 AM
Wow! How time flies!! Here it is December 22, three days before Christmas, and I think, "boy, it's been a long time since I've posted on my blog. Let me take a moment while the kids are playing nicely and the baby's asleep to post." Then I go to my blog and low and behold, it's been almost a month since I posted anything!

I suppose that's how it goes, though. I know some people are very good with routine, ritual, and schedules. I used to be a lot better. That is, before I became a stay-at-home mom with four small children. But I suppose I've never really had a routine that lasted any great length of time. My routines seem to come with limited time frames and seasons. But isn't life like that?

When I was a college student, routine was measured by semesters and breaks. I had one job and schedule during the school year and another on breaks. Even when I got my first after-college, full-time job, my schedule was flexible. I worked four tens, or two elevens and two nines, etc. For me, routine is a good thing, but so is flexibility. I think for our children, both are also important. The key is keeping them in balance.

As a homeschooler, as well as a mom of four youngsters, I've learned the great importance of keeping the two in balance. With no flexibility, what's the point of homeschooling? I mean, my reasons for homeschooling are vast, but flexibility is a great benefit. When Daddy's home we can cancel school for a family activity. When friends are out of town, we can do school on the weekend. When Christmas is coming and there is shopping to do, pictures to take, cards to send, and presents to wrap, school can be put on hold to get those time-sensitive things done. And oh, how grateful am I for that time at home while the kids play to get those things done!

But, we must get back to routine. That's part of what makes holidays special: they get us out of our routine. But if we never get back into it, we'll never get things done. It will take my daughter a year and a half to complete 2nd grade. Will my son ever make it to kindergarten? Not if I don't get us back on track. That doesn't mean a rigid, inflexible schedule once the holidays are over. It does mean keeping focused and recognizing the things that need to be done (for me as well as for them) in order to make progress.

I love the holidays - everything about Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's: family get-togethers, festive music, lights, giving gifts, receiving and sending cards, remembering to be thankful, fresh starts, and family get-togethers! It's nice to have a break from the routine, but it's also nice to know what to expect once all the celebrations are over and things get back to "normal."

0 comments on "Christmas for Mommies"

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Christmas for Mommies

Wow! How time flies!! Here it is December 22, three days before Christmas, and I think, "boy, it's been a long time since I've posted on my blog. Let me take a moment while the kids are playing nicely and the baby's asleep to post." Then I go to my blog and low and behold, it's been almost a month since I posted anything!

I suppose that's how it goes, though. I know some people are very good with routine, ritual, and schedules. I used to be a lot better. That is, before I became a stay-at-home mom with four small children. But I suppose I've never really had a routine that lasted any great length of time. My routines seem to come with limited time frames and seasons. But isn't life like that?

When I was a college student, routine was measured by semesters and breaks. I had one job and schedule during the school year and another on breaks. Even when I got my first after-college, full-time job, my schedule was flexible. I worked four tens, or two elevens and two nines, etc. For me, routine is a good thing, but so is flexibility. I think for our children, both are also important. The key is keeping them in balance.

As a homeschooler, as well as a mom of four youngsters, I've learned the great importance of keeping the two in balance. With no flexibility, what's the point of homeschooling? I mean, my reasons for homeschooling are vast, but flexibility is a great benefit. When Daddy's home we can cancel school for a family activity. When friends are out of town, we can do school on the weekend. When Christmas is coming and there is shopping to do, pictures to take, cards to send, and presents to wrap, school can be put on hold to get those time-sensitive things done. And oh, how grateful am I for that time at home while the kids play to get those things done!

But, we must get back to routine. That's part of what makes holidays special: they get us out of our routine. But if we never get back into it, we'll never get things done. It will take my daughter a year and a half to complete 2nd grade. Will my son ever make it to kindergarten? Not if I don't get us back on track. That doesn't mean a rigid, inflexible schedule once the holidays are over. It does mean keeping focused and recognizing the things that need to be done (for me as well as for them) in order to make progress.

I love the holidays - everything about Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year's: family get-togethers, festive music, lights, giving gifts, receiving and sending cards, remembering to be thankful, fresh starts, and family get-togethers! It's nice to have a break from the routine, but it's also nice to know what to expect once all the celebrations are over and things get back to "normal."

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