A New Day: Embracing Changes in Our Homeschool

"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it."  ~Mary Engelbreit

For my household and homeschool, today is a new day. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and I am full of joy. Some people must hit rock bottom before they learn their lessons. I guess I'm one of those people.

Recently, life taught me a few lessons. I'd been trying for a long time to overcome my daughters' sleep issues. I've tried and failed many times to turn it around and force these square pegs into my perfectly round peg holes. In December, my youngest was sleeping 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. and she took me with her on an adventure I never want to relive. In that time, I realized a few things.

1. I could never live any place where darkness lasts for months. My sanity would pack a bag and leave.
2. I have no control over their sleep patterns.
3. I must function despite their challenges. I can't let their sleep habits control my entire existence.

For those of you who have never lived with a person who has Bipolar Disorder, their circadian rhythm doesn't work correctly. It's in their best interest to fight against this broken function but there's only so much that can be done.

"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."  ~Victor Frankl

The one thing I can do is make changes. Changes to my thinking. Changes to the way I view our routines and schedules.

New Thinking

• I can't win every battle. Sometimes, I will be defeated by their broken body clock.
• Don't toss out the day because it didn't go as planned. Whether they wake at 9 a.m., 12 p.m. or 3 p.m., that is their morning and I will treat it as such. Start the day!
• I will never again fret that my kids aren't up at 8 or 9 in the morning! If they're up when there is daylight, I will be thankful! If they're up before noon, I'll be overjoyed!
• Adapting shows them respect. This attempt to shove square pegs into round holes does not respect that they are, in fact, square pegs. (No mom of the year award for me just yet!)

New Routines (less schedule) 

I love our old routine. It made for smooth and easy days. Nevertheless, I must adapt. I'm not making huge changes. I plan to spend time writing in the morning hours (6-8am) and carry on with the day as I should. The biggest change will be in how I handle the day.

I will attempt to get the girls up as usual but not waste all my time in this effort. I'll carry on with my own chores and other business. If one wakes before the other, that child can start independent lessons. When the other wakes, we'll do family studies at that time and then continue independent work.

I feel like the weight of the world in stress and anxiety has been lifted from my mind and heart. Merely accepting that I cannot control it all and realizing a better way to handle it takes a great weight off of the load that I carry.

What types of challenges have you had to make accommodations for in your homeschool?


Happy Homeschooling!