The Perfectly Imperfect Homeschool

Episode 198

I know how chaotic transitions can be, whether you’re just starting your homeschool year or just starting a Monday morning! And I want to share with you some love and encouragement to embrace the perfectly imperfect homeschool.

New beginnings can be unsettling. Because we have to be willing to take action, even imperfect action.

In order to gain confidence and find your flow, you simply have to begin.

You’ve put in the time gathering resources, collecting and organizing supplies, and planning the rhythm of your days. So now it’s time to jump into your perfectly imperfect homeschool.

Planning and “Procrastiplanning“

“Procrastiplanning?”

No, it’s not a real word, but it is a thing!

Procrastiplanning is the endless refining of your plans while postponing taking action and actually getting started.

It’s sometimes easier to fritter away the morning searching the internet looking for that one more magical thing to bring your lessons to life. There’s always tomorrow, after all, right?!!

Planning and preparation are essential. I DO teach a whole 6-lesson course on planning your most awesome homeschool year (BTW, it’s called Plan It Out and it’s part of the Inspired at Home community😘).

But at some point, we have to make our decisions and begin.

It’s a misperception that the perfect homeschool plan will result in smooth and easy days, well-behaved children, or feelings of success and contentment at the end of the day. (Sorry to break it to you!)

A lesson plan is no guarantee. After all, we are the ones who need to execute the plan with enthusiasm and warmth. And to follow through regardless of how our children receive our plan.

We have to jump in, taking the chance that the lessons will inspire our children, observing and making adjustments as we go.

Accept the perfectly imperfect homeschool!

Up next, I’ll give you a simple strategy to help you overcome your hesitation and get out of “procrastiplanning.”

Your Perfectly Imperfect Homeschool

Here’s a simple strategy I’ve shared with many, many parents as a homeschool mentor and in my coaching community.

Offer yourself an alternative thought to any thoughts of insecurity or hesitation. Don’t worry, I have examples for you to try out.

If you can come up with two or three alternative thoughts that are also true ~ even just one will do ~ it will help you feel more settled and ready to give your plan a try. Just as it is.

When you feel like fiddling with the plans or even scrapping them all together and starting over, you can remind yourself to embrace your perfectly imperfect homeschool.

Here are a few thoughts to try out:

I have planned enough. Nothing is missing.
My plan is a great starting point and I am ready to give it a try and be flexible.
The planning is complete and now it’s time for doing. Because it’s the doing that counts.
Jumping in is better than freezing up. Just show up and be curious.

I encourage you to borrow one of these ideas or come up with one new thought of your own that you can write down and come back to again and again when you feel that itch to “procrastiplan.”

Bless this Perfectly Imperfect Homeschool

To wrap up this episode of the Art of Homeschooling podcast, I have a beautiful poem to share with you from The Painted Prayerbook blog by author Jan Richardson.

This blessing is for all of you who are in transition to a new season, to a fall rhythm, or back into lessons. May you find what shimmers in the storm!

Blessing in the Chaos by Jan Richardson

To all that is chaotic
in you,
let there come silence.

Let there be a calming
of the clamoring,
a stilling
of the voices that
have laid their
claim on you,
that have made their
home in you,

that go with you
even to the
holy places
but will not
let you rest,
will not let you
hear your life
with wholeness
or feel the grace
that fashioned you.

Let what distracts you
cease.
Let what divides you
cease.
Let there come an end
to what diminishes
and demeans,
and let depart
all that keeps you
in its cage.

Let there be
an opening
into the quiet
that lies beneath
the chaos,
where you find
the peace
you did not think
possible
and see what shimmers
within the storm.

I hope this brings you the courage to begin and a sense of reassurance in your perfectly imperfect homeschool.

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