Homeschool mama self-care begins with harnessing our thoughts, so we can include homeschool mama affirmations.
Do you know when you have those little revelatory moments, those “I’ll never forget this life lesson”? (And that revelation was hard-won, hard-learned, and the moment it entered your existence, you believed you would remember it forever.)
A few months later, you can’t remember when or where you learned it. I try to write the big ones down — occasionally bumping into them on my iPod lists, reminding me of what I know to be true, as I read and reread them.
Not necessarily in order of importance, but rather, in order of my recording, so here I share a few of these revelations turned affirmations with you: the homeschool mama affirmations.
These are a few of my homeschool mama affirmations (you can get a download of them below).
1. Harsh words make hurt feelings, not healthy habits.
My voice becomes my children’s inner voice.
Watching my four children, I see their personality differences. I’ve come to believe that nature vs nurture can’t be quantified. My children’s natural states are not defined by me or my genetics, no matter how I nurture them.
They are who they are, and they each receive my words differently.
But my voice always carries weight in their minds. In reaction to me, or in agreement with me, they carry the weight of my thoughts, my opinions, my values, said or unsaid.
Because I see this, I apply myself to the internal work. This is hard work. Uncomfortable work. And sometimes painful work. But work that always pays in reward.
2. Orderliness is not our calling, relationships are.
If you’ve walked over the threshold of my home, you will see I have learned to embrace this truth, in all its dusty imperfections.
The floors were washed a week ago, but honestly, how could you tell? Bathrooms are cleaned once a week. Chores are assigned on Saturdays. Everything gets cleaned; it just only looks clean Saturday afternoon.
Gone are the days when the taps are shone, or the hand towel is straightened on the rod before a visitor’s arrival. Priorities. Took me years to understand these priorities.
Orderliness does help clear the mind and does keep me organized and productive.
Get that head clear and clean of inconsistencies and imperfections, but remember, this is the day you’ve got your six-year-old. Right now. These are the memories you’ll remember: his memories and yours.
Perfection won’t happen; good enough might be the goal. Try to embrace the messiness of it all.
3. Give them grace.
From a mom who is known for life lesson talks (so named by one of the teenagers), sometimes an explanation of their disrespectful behaviour doesn’t need a long explanation.
Give them grace.
This one I’m not naturally good at. Rather, I’m good at soliloquies and five-point essays.
Well, I’m good at grace some days; but mostly in front of other people. When the sun is shining it’s easier, the schedule is proceeding as planned, everyone wakes up on the happy side of their beds, and only one trouble is happening at a time.
I’m sure you’re not surprised because I’ve learned I’m not the exception.
The level of grace I give myself is the level of grace I can give to others, so it’s worth a bit of self-assessment to determine if I’m being kind to myself.
They’re never going to be perfect. Me neither. So, embrace some of the messiness in my life, and their little lives too.
4. I am a child of God and a gift to my parents, and I can have the power God has given me to do something. I ought to do my duty and I will do what is right.
We used this quote as part of a daily morning mantra for a while.
This is a quote from Charlotte Mason. That book reading, nature lovin, dictation, and narration- focused educator of schoolgirls in Old England.
Our children’s days have meaning, their work has a purpose, and their contribution has value.
They will find their self-worth when they know they’re doing worthy things.
Things that are helpful to the family, edifying to their friends, and helping others. They’ll find it when they pursue their unique interests and work at developing them. They’ll find it when they complete a task they don’t care to do with their best efforts. And they’ll find it in my morning cuddles and encouragements whether they’re doing these things or not.
I want my kids to know that they were created, placed on this earth for a reason, and are a special gift to me.
5. Life does not have to be fast to be meaningful.
Fast gets stuff done. But fast is often harried.
And when I don’t have time to think about what I’m doing right now, but always living in the next moment and planning the next thing, I’m not happy.
We’re not the only culture in the world, the westernized, North American super-productive one. There are a few other folks on the planet, and we gain insight by watching what’s effective in them. Some cultures are pretty slow, and though they aren’t as efficient and productive, they are more openly engaged with one another. Some cultures focus their energies on la dolce vita, a balance between work and play.
They know that a happy life requires guilt-free playing. There’s a lot to be learned from other cultures.
Fast gets stuff done. But being in the moment makes us happy. One has to live, rather than exist. So carpe diem!
When once I thought I could be done learning lessons that this life has intended to teach me, I have learned, there is no end to learning.
There is always another thing to learn, or a lesson repeated till I’ve learned it in a new way.
In the meantime, I’ll keep reminding myself of them as I write them down.
Homeschool Mama Daily Affirmation Cards
Introducing the Homeschool Mama Daily Affirmation Cards – a transformative tool designed specifically for homeschool moms who strive to nurture themselves while fostering an environment of patience, love, and growth.
These beautifully crafted affirmation cards are infused with empowering statements to inspire and uplift, guiding you on a journey of self-love, forgiveness, and harmonious parenting.
People often ask…
- How do you handle homeschool overwhelm?
- Do you do one-on-one homeschooling coaching?
- Journaling for the Homeschool Mom to Overcome Overwhelm
- How can I join the Homeschool Mama Retreat?
- 7 Ways to Find Quiet, Build Boundaries & Handle Overwhelm
Teresa Wiedrick
I help homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.
Yes and amen. <3
These tips are great reminders!