Take Time for You

Wow, I really dropped the blog-once-a-month ball, didn't I. *sigh* Maybe an early December blog will help make up for it. 

A homeschooling parent is a frazzled, how-am-I-going-to-get-it-all-done person. You’re trying to give your child(ren) the best education possible. You have educational books and supplies on nearly every surface of your home! You also want to maintain a clean and tidy home, put nutritious meals on the table, and spend time with your spouse (if you aren't a single parent). You probably serve in your church in some way, and you may even fit community service into your schedule. You may also have a job! (or two or three if you are doing the single parenting thing with no other income).

Along comes December. Here is an entire month you can devote to special studies, not to mention those life skills of baking, gift-making, and decorating! There are multiple parties and multiple opportunities to give to charity. Because you want your children to learn that more blessings come with giving than receiving, you involve them in charitable activities.

Is it any wonder your head starts throbbing and stress weakens your immune system, causing you to get sick?

This Christmas season, take time for yourself. To best serve your family, you need to be healthy and relaxed; stressed out and frazzled just won’t do. Schedule a little “me” time for yourself each day, even if it’s just half an hour. Don’t neglect your private time with God. You need His guidance! You need His peace in your heart!

This “me” time will most often take place in your home; perhaps you can enjoy a bubble bath or soothing music. You can also go out occasionally. You might sit at the library or in a coffee shop. Do whatever will help you “recharge your batteries.” When you do that, you will be better prepared to encourage your family.

During the hustle and bustle of the season, remember to take time for you. May God bless your efforts. Merry Christmas!

Finding the Fun in December

Let’s be honest. It’s not that hard to find the fun in December. We can hear it, smell it, taste it, touch it, and see it! There’s no hiding from holiday fun! No, more often than not, the problem is not finding the fun; it’s finding TIME for the fun. So right now, while you have a moment to yourself, ask God to help you plan your calendar in a way that will honor Him and benefit your children. Then you can make a list of activities that will enrich your family this month, and mark the four that are the most appealing. (If you have time for more than one activity a week, and activities energize you, then by all means include more on your list!)

There will be a myriad of Christmas activities all month long for you to choose from. Don’t overload your schedule, but choose those that you feel are the most important. Consider making at least one of those activities a community service/blessing others type of activity, whether it’s adopting a child or family for whom to buy gifts, volunteering at the soup kitchen, caroling at a nursing home, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, or something else.

One meaningful activity is to observe the Advent season. There are Advent calendars to count off each day before Christmas, or there is the table wreath with five candles. The wreath is used on the four Sundays preceding Christmas.  This year the dates are November 28 and December 5, 12, and 19. One candle is lit each Sunday until you have all four lit on the fourth Sunday. The first two Sundays call for purple candles representing hope and peace. The third Sunday is for the pink candle; it represents joy. Then the fourth Sunday calls for the purple candle of love. The fifth candle is the Christ candle and is lit on Christmas Day. I used a white votive in the center of my ring/wreath for my Christ candle. If observing Advent intrigues you, visit this site to learn more: http://www.kencollins.com/question-10.htm

Other holiday activities that you might consider for fun and educational purposes are Christmas parades and tree lighting ceremonies, historical homes or plantations decorated and opened for a peek into Christmases past, beautiful light displays, and live nativities. One of my favorite events is a “Walk through Bethlehem” that a local church presents every year. They create a village filled with a market and costumed people, and we feel like we’ve been transported back to Bethlehem, where we must beware the centurions and find the stable where the promised Savior has been born. If you can locate something like that, you will bring the meaning of Christmas alive for your children!

Your December schooling may include the science of cooking holiday treats and edible gifts; the language arts of writing stories, poems, or articles for the family newsletter; the history of holiday traditions around the world; the math of shopping on a budget; and the memorization of meaningful scripture or Christmas hymns. The life skills of cooking, cleaning, decorating, and entertaining also have a place in December!

While Christmas has the lead role in December, there are other cultural holidays that your homeschool could study. Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday, begins on December 2 and is also know as the Festival of Lights. Kwanzaa, an African-American holiday, begins December 26. Boxing Day, a holiday observed by some other countries, is on December 26 as well. Why not spend some time learning about the history behind and traditions of those holidays?

There are two non-Christmas dates you might observe. December 21 is the first day of winter and the shortest day (and longest night) of the year. December 31, as you know, is New Year’s Eve. Both offer topics of discussion. For example, what would life be like if every day was like December 21? What was the best thing that happened during the year? What do you look forward to the most in the coming year? Why do people make and break New Year’s Resolutions?

Enjoy this beautiful season of lights and love. Spend time with your family. Remember God’s gift to the world. Have a very blessed Christmas and a happy homeschooling New Year.