permission to write
I've been thinking deeply about thinking. That is, how I think about myself and my role in my family and in the world. I have been a stay-at-home-parent for nearly 7 years now, and a homeschooling mom for two of those years. I struggle mightily (MIGHTILY) with balance-- I mean, I know true balance is unattainable, that what we mean when we say "balance" is really a juggling act, that anything we devote time and attention to automatically pulls time and energy from other endeavors. After all, there are only so many hours in the day. What we really mean is juggling--how well we do it, and if it feels balanced.
Anyway. Balance, or a sense of it. When I became a parent, as so many do, I threw myself wholeheartedly into the business of it, and in so doing misplaced important components of myself. I mean, I'm a passionate renaissance woman with many interests: tacos, leisure-wear, books that decidedly don't suck, sleep, hot baths, birding, writing, etc etc etc. I just don't have the time!
But this week, I read an old post of Melissa Wiley's where she mentions her morning routine with small children, involving episodes of Little Bear and/or Baby Signing in order to make space for her writing habit. And that that very writing habit contributed to her sense of self both as a mother and a writer.
It blew my mind a little. I think I didn't know I could justify my kids spending time in front of the tube "just" to write. Mothers are only supposed to use downtime productively, right? But pursuing a personal passion just because it's lifegiving? I didn't know I could give myself permission to do that.
But that's what I'm doing this very moment. And my kids are happy! (And so cute!) And I am happy! It works.
(Here I say: duh).
The thing is, my writing does flow back into my sense of balance and satisfaction as a mother, and also allows for important reflection on homeschool and parenting processes. It is completely justifiable even as a "productive" endeavor. It's just that I shouldn't need to justify it. I should just do it.
So I am.
I am.
This week, MJ continued her streak of interest in History. We're very very slowly meandering our way through Story of the World, meantime diving deep into Maroo of the Winter Caves (a fantastic depiction of ice-age human life) and a few of the "diaries" series-- Egyptian Diary and Roman Diary. Chugging away at Math Mammoth, with the addition of a bit of Miquon, which I'm delighted to see really agrees with MJ. OP has been steadily working along at his 100s chart every day, and also a bit of letter work. Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears, cursive. Copywork: a poem a day. Time with friends doing "doll club". And that's it! Just, life.
Anyway. Balance, or a sense of it. When I became a parent, as so many do, I threw myself wholeheartedly into the business of it, and in so doing misplaced important components of myself. I mean, I'm a passionate renaissance woman with many interests: tacos, leisure-wear, books that decidedly don't suck, sleep, hot baths, birding, writing, etc etc etc. I just don't have the time!
But this week, I read an old post of Melissa Wiley's where she mentions her morning routine with small children, involving episodes of Little Bear and/or Baby Signing in order to make space for her writing habit. And that that very writing habit contributed to her sense of self both as a mother and a writer.
It blew my mind a little. I think I didn't know I could justify my kids spending time in front of the tube "just" to write. Mothers are only supposed to use downtime productively, right? But pursuing a personal passion just because it's lifegiving? I didn't know I could give myself permission to do that.
But that's what I'm doing this very moment. And my kids are happy! (And so cute!) And I am happy! It works.
(Here I say: duh).
The thing is, my writing does flow back into my sense of balance and satisfaction as a mother, and also allows for important reflection on homeschool and parenting processes. It is completely justifiable even as a "productive" endeavor. It's just that I shouldn't need to justify it. I should just do it.
So I am.
I am.
This week, MJ continued her streak of interest in History. We're very very slowly meandering our way through Story of the World, meantime diving deep into Maroo of the Winter Caves (a fantastic depiction of ice-age human life) and a few of the "diaries" series-- Egyptian Diary and Roman Diary. Chugging away at Math Mammoth, with the addition of a bit of Miquon, which I'm delighted to see really agrees with MJ. OP has been steadily working along at his 100s chart every day, and also a bit of letter work. Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears, cursive. Copywork: a poem a day. Time with friends doing "doll club". And that's it! Just, life.
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