As an at home educator I understand all too well the need to
find or recognize ways in which to bring meaning to each new day’s planning of
activities. Some
may be under the impression that home schooling families spend plenty of time
together and therefore would not need to carve out special time for creating
meaningful family moments together. But the truth of the matter is, home
schooling families are in many ways just as time constricted as other families.
While it may be accurate to say that home schooling parents are able to be
physically present with their children more than those parents whose children
attend a formal school, the necessary demands of normal life that affect most
families are just as prevalent in the everyday lives of home schooling families
as they are for others. Parents still have to go to work, some parents go to
school themselves (I do), there are household chores and everyday hassles to be
maintained and handled, children are many times involved in extracurricular
activities and interests, and in many home schooling environments a structured
learning routine is kept in place year round. The reality is it can be quite
difficult keeping up with everyday obligations and responsibilities while still
making time for family sharing and lighthearted togetherness.
As if hectic schedules and making time for separate
interests wasn’t enough, the added distraction of various technological media
enjoyments that fill the average household and pockets these days can really
dig in to whatever time is left in a day to make meaningful moments out of. I
know in my household we certainly love the gadgets and the various forms of
media entertainment – so much so, that in many ways it is in itself a hobby for
us. And this is so for a lot of households these days. We all have our reasons
and it is not altogether a negative thing (though it can be if not kept in
check), but because of this it is even more pertinent that we carve out real
quality time for one another so that we don’t lose sight of our connections,
what is truly important to us, and our sense of community – all of which is
tied up in real time, in person social contact with those we respect and care
for.
There are many ways we can become consciously responsible
for creating and managing meaningful and lasting family moments. First of all
we need to make a reference calendar that indicates both physically and in our
mind what time frames of each day and each upcoming week that is obligated to
other duties such as work and school hours /days (for each family member) as
well as any other known events such as birthdays and scheduled doctor’s visits.
We must also take note of how much time we have both daily and weekly to devote
to personal time and entertainment. It doesn’t need to be precise, only
estimated so as to gather a general idea of what should be expected, when, and
how it may be adjusted to compliment or coincide with the activities of others
in the family. We may consider, therefore, whether any of our personal time or
entertainment time may work well tied in with that of others in the household.
We should then determine on a weekly basis whether any of those activities may
be shortened, combined, or done away with altogether for the sake of more
important or worthy experiences. It’s all about choice really.
Making a schedule and getting each family member involved in
the decision to maintain that schedule can go a long way in motivating everyone
to follow the agreed upon routine. It is important to realize that meaningful
moments can occur even when everyone is simply gathered in the same shared
space to do their own project or study. It is also important to be willing to
give up a few minutes of idle “free-time” for the sake of coming together with
those who support us most in all we do. Everyone will be closer and happier for
having made the time to connect and regenerate with one another. This can only
really take place however if the time is spent in a relaxing and non-stressful
way. So, the types of things a family decides to do together will have an
impact on each person’s mood and mentality toward the time spent together as
well as their overall willingness to keep actively participating in such
moments together.
(Will expand on this in a later post.)
