Giving myself grace at the beginning of the year.

I remember going home exhausted when I taught in a brick and mortar school all through the month of August and into September.  I truly thought we would never get a routine, never get anything done, and I always seemed to forget something.  Dixie and Mitzi, who I taught with, reminded me that the beginning of the year is always bad, you just forget how bad at the beginning of each year.

It has been a hard week as we have started back on the path of more formal school around here.  I keep thinking, "Was this really a good idea?  Did I forget to get that book too?  You need what for that lesson?   How many of you are there again?"  But the good news is that soon the newness of the year will stop, I will find the correct book, and we will get into a routine.  This is what I have been reminding myself the last few days.

1.  Taking time to set up good routines and procedures is never a waste of time.  Having procedures in place on where things go, printing tests for the year, teaching a child how to be more independent with his/her lessons, and gently reminding them now will benefit all of us in the long run.

2. Beginnings always become the middle and then become the end.  I remember this when it seems like the beginning of the year will last forever.

3.  Changing routines takes consistency and time.   I have to be patient with my students as they adjust, and give myself some slack as we establish school routines.


4.  My students are wonderful people and they will not be here forever.  It really is privilege to spend my days with my kids.  After all, this is why I started homeschooling in the first place.  My three oldest are in high school, and they will be gone in a blink. I do not want to have any regrets.

5. Taking care of myself is a must.  Trying to sleep, eat right, have devotions, and exercise makes the days much better.  Getting lost in Facebook or other things. . . not so much. 

So I am giving myself grace as I start the year.  I hope you do too.  I am trying to remember that soon it will be time to put away the books and another year will have gone by.  I am making a commitment to enjoy this one.