The Forgotten Mom

The life of a homeschool mom is full of fabulous things. It is SO super amazing and I would not trade it for anything. Yet, in it, there lies a very real danger. Have you heard of the example of what to do when the oxygen masks pops out mid flight? The cabin is losing pressure quickly. Panic! Do you take care of yourself first or your children? While everything in you says your babies, the “correct answer” is yourself. For if you fall unconscious, you are clearly unable to help anybody any longer.

I think the same can be said for homeschooling. It is so easy to help everybody else first. In reality, the demands can be so very high that they are never all met. We have to be ok to leave some items on our to do list uncrossed. Likely, at all times, so that some very important areas can get some usually much needed attention. I certainly need constant help with this, but I am working on it and have found some fabulous tools in the process.

God– my relationship with God comes first and foremost. I went to a women’s conference recently with a good friend of mine. Two days SO very well spent. I soaked in so very much. It truly was amazing and needed. I plan to go yearly. It wasn’t a homeschool conference, a church retreat, or even a girls get away. While all of those are great and fabulous things, this was a bit different. A time for me to grow closer to the Lord. A time to concentrate on my relationship with Him, as His daughter.

During my time, I went to a workshop about creating meaningful quiet times with God and I was very moved by it. The thought of creating a special place where you go to meet with Him every day was discussed in detail. I have implemented this and while I am not perfect in attendance, I always treasure my time. The speaker recommended an amazing book, Jesus Calling. Buy it. It is seriously amazing. There is even a kids version that I plan to open our school days with everyday this year.

The main thing I walked away with from this conference is the concept that

WE CAN’T GIVE OUT WHAT WE DON’T HAVE

How vital this becomes to my role as a teacher of my children.

My husband– Recently my husband and I had an overnight get away planned. I have to be honest, I was in the middle of picking out curriculum for next year and I did not want to go away. Somehow at the time it just seemed like too much effort. We went and had the best time ever. We decided 1 hour before the sitter arrived to go downtown (about 15 minutes away) and get a room at a hotel. We talked for hours and had a great time reconnecting. There were no excessive car rides, or plane trips. It was super budget friendly. We plan to do it again…and again and again.

Lack of babysitters a problem? Trade things with your friends. Trade watching each others kids or anything you can. I helped my friend decorate her new house. She watched my kids overnight. Get creative. Make. it. happen. Getting away every so often for a bit of an extended period is super important. It is much different than a dinner out type of date night.

Your physical health– This can be a touchy subject, but I firmly believe that God calls us to take care of our bodies. Satan would love nothing better than for us to be overweight, sluggish, and slaves to sugar and caffeine. It can take such a toll on our mood, our families, and the general tone of our home.

I recently became pretty serious about getting as healthy physically as I can. I have lost 47 pounds so far and I am not done. We have made significant changes in our eating: ridding our home of processed food, sugar, and chemically laden foods. The difference in all 6 of us is mind blowing, truly. It has been very hard in some ways, but so worth it. Forgive the phone photo, but when I went to get dressed the other morning, I realized just how far I have come. Don’t underestimate how much your physical health determines your days. I want to feel the way God intended us to feel. These bodies of ours are just amazing.

I have listed three resources that have been life changing for me in this area of physical health.

Made to Crave

100 days of Real Food

It Starts With Food

Start small. Start big. Just start.

Our kids are so precious. As homeschool moms we are with them 24/7 and the demand and toll it can take can become unhealthy if we let it. We have to remember to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first. We have to put effort into our relationship with Jesus and our husbands. We have to take care of ourselves and be healthy and fit so we can have the energy to it takes to do what it is that we do. It is SO much better that way.

Don’t forget yourselves today, ladies. God created you a vibrant and beautiful woman. Our families need us to take care of them, yes, but also they need us to take care of ourselves.