Episode 190
As parents, we often find ourselves second-guessing our choices or wading through overwhelm, when what we really need is to shore up our resolve, gather resources that will support us, and tap into our deepest trust. So today on the podcast, I’ll share some uplifting, inspiring affirmations for the homeschooling parent.
I’m so glad you’re here! Whether this is your first, fourth, or tenth year of homeschool (or beyond)!
Listen in to this encouraging episode of the Art of Homeschooling podcast and check out the show notes below for links, quotes, poems, and resources for your homeschooling journey.
Affirmations are Simple Truths
Affirmations are not magic cures or a transcending panacea. But they are a self-help tool that’s handy to have in your back pocket. And in modern life, we need all the tools we can gather to help balance our lives and emotions!
Of all the many mindset tools that we can tap into, affirmations are some of my favorites that can help you overcome negative thoughts and self-doubt, especially in the midst of stress or challenges.
Back in my homeschooling days, overwhelm and negativity set in when I would forget that I felt called to spend my days with my children. Forget that an arts-infused, Waldorf-inspired homeschooling style called to me because it’s healing for us all.
Even now after all my years of homeschooling, I can still get stuck when I start comparing myself to others. With all of our access to seeing snippets of others’ lives on social media, it’s so easy to make up stories about everyone else doing so well out there while I’m over here in my little corner of the world making a mess of things.
This comparisonitis, as I like to call it, is clearly not helpful. Nor is it healthy.
Recently, even the U.S. Surgeon General has issued a warning about social media and mental health. Check out this New York Times opinion piece, Why I’m Calling for a Warning Label on Social Media Platforms for suggestions about balancing social media as parents.
The struggle is real, my friends, even for us as homeschooling parents.
Affirmations can really help to remind us of our values and what’s most important to us in our lives. Just simple truths for us to remember.
Let’s start with some simple truths that you may have forgotten:
- We all have good days and bad days, clean sinks and dirty sinks, cooperative children and saucy children.
- We all wonder sometimes why we chose this over that, and think that would be so much easier and what’s wrong with me!
- We all want it ALL, right now.
So much of the comparison, unrest, judgment and lack of confidence is really just taking place inside of our own heads! So let’s offer up some alternative thoughts.
If we want the chatter to stop, we need to be bold and decisive and commit to the choices we’ve made. We need to choose again and again this life we’re living and embrace it.
And then, just get on with it!
Begin It Now! by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Until one’s committed
there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back,
always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation)
there is one elementary truth
the ignorance of which kills countless ideas
and splendid plans:
That the moment one definitely commits oneself
then Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one
that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision
raising in one’s favour all manner
of unforeseen incidents and meetings
and material assistance
which no man could have dreamt
would have come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Begin it now!
Affirmations for the Homeschooling Parent
Affirmations for the homeschooling parent can help us remember our commitments, our dreams, and the power and magic in boldness and confident action.
I like to choose one affirmation to be my companion for a while.
I write it on a piece of paper and carry it with me in my pocket. Perhaps add it to the front of my planner or write it on a post-note and stick it to my bathroom mirror so that I see it first thing every morning.
Here are some possible affirmations for the homeschooling parent. Feel free to choose one of these affirmations or use one to spark your own ideas. Just take care to write an affirmation that you truly believe is possible.
Affirmations for the Homeschooling Parent
- I choose homeschooling for this school year.
- I choose these imperfect children and young adults who are in my sphere of care and influence.
- I choose this life partner ~ and remember, it’s a package deal.
- I choose to be the best mother, spouse, friend, sister, and daughter that I can be and forgive myself when I fall short.
More Words of Wisdom from Goethe
I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration; I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or dehumanized.
~ JOhann Wolfgang von goethe
This quote was shared in my training to become a Simplicity Parenting Family Life Coach and I find it to be an inspiring reminder of my role in my family.
I highly recommend Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne. It’s one of my all-time favorite parenting books, so reassuring and full of comforting stories as well as practical strategies to help us in raising our children and becoming more decisive parents.
[I’ve included my referral link to the book above for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.]
Find Your Flow
As I write and record this episode, it’s July and summer break here in the US.
We often think of summer break as so relaxing. But in reality, the big energy wave of summer often comes crashing down around about July, leaving us drenched in self-doubt, indecision, and fatigue.
When my kiddos were little, this was often precipitated by trying to balance summer homeschool planning with the many summer activities.
Nowadays, I find my energy going toward planning and preparing for Taproot, the homeschool teacher training retreat I organize and host along with my mentor Barbara and a super-duper team of experienced homeschoolers.
I’m trying to juggle my Art of Homeschooling business, my hubby, my grown kiddos and aging mum, my yard and garden, along with my joyful anticipation of and preparing for Taproot. It’s a lot!
At Taproot this year, our focus is finding your flow. And affirmations are such a simple tool to help us connect with ourselves, our place in the universe, and our very important role in our family so that we can connect with the deep flow of life.
I hope these ideas about affirmations have resonated with you!
Until next week, know that you have the tremendous power to make life joyous ~ for yourself, your loved ones, and the world!
More Resources to Inspire and Support You
- Encouragement for Moms, Episode #30 ~ This episode of the podcast includes a printable manifesto, originally published for Mother’s Day, but valid EVERY day of the year.
- Homeschooling Mantras, Episode #80 ~ 12 of my favorite mantras for homeschooling.
- Intrigued by an in-person, transformational experience for homeschooling parents? Find out more about the Taproot Teacher Training for Waldorf-Inspired Homeschoolers. It’s our 18th year putting on an amazing homeschool training and retreat weekend here in northeastern Ohio. And we’d love to have you!
Rate & Review the Podcast
If the Art of Homeschooling Podcast has inspired you, I’d LOVE it if you could rate and review the podcast on your favorite podcast player! Reviews can be left on Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Podcast Addict, or Stitcher.
Or simply pop on over to lovethepodcast.com/artofhomeschooling and choose where you want to leave your review.
And if you want to show your appreciation for the Art of Homeschooling Podcast, you can buy me a cup of tea!
Never Miss an Episode!
Check Out All the Episodes
