It’s OK to Take a Break
I’ve been listening to a podcaster I really like. His name is Jocko Willink. He’s a decorated retired Navy Seal officer. He’s intense. (His podcast does contain some occasional “R rated” moments.) Seeing the picture of him and his co-host on his homepage makes it clear: you want him on your side.
His most recent book, Discipline Equals Freedom, sums up a big part of his worldview. Spiked with some humor, each chapter is topical, concise and lasts two to three minutes. An audio version is also available on Spotify.
For Jacko, every day is a “Monday,” a day to “get after it” as he puts it. He admits he’s a fellow struggler like the rest of us. But, he finds a way to be up every morning at 4:30 A.M., eat an overall healthy diet, work out regularly, and push back when procrastination tries to gain a foothold in his life. He’s super-focused and intentional about how he conducts his life.
Would homeschoolers benefit by adapting a “discipline equals freedom” lifestyle? For the most part, I’d say “yes” with a qualification: It’s OK to take a break. In other words it’s OK to give home schooling a rest. More importantly, it’s OK to give yourself a rest too, especially at this time of the year. You don’t have to be teaching, modeling, training 24/7. However, be sure to remind yourself that what you’re doing is simply taking a break. It’s not the new norm.
At one time in the state of Washington, home schoolers were required to “home school” a specific number of hours each day to meet “attendance standards” set by the state. In order to meet these requirements, parents found themselves classifying trips to the market as consumer math. Doing chores at home were placed into the category of home economics. A family night at the bowling alley was considered PE. And on and on it went. All these things were contrived to be seen as teaching activities or teachable moments. The joy and pleasure of home schooling went out the door.
This Christmas season as you end the first term of the home schooling year, avoid the “seizing the teachable moments” mindset. Of course, if one presents itself, use it. Or don’t use it. You’re “off the clock.” Just enjoy spending time with your family. The textbooks, learning activities, classes, etc. will be waiting for you and your children in January.
It’s OK to take a break. That’s the tip of the week!
Curt Bumcrot, MRE
It’s not too late to enroll in NCCA’s Diploma Program! We offer accountability and support through this advisory service to homeschool families completing high school coursework. Contact us for more information.
