I’m tired.
It’s a good tired, a contented, job well done tired, but tired all the same.
In the last week of March, I enrolled in a guest blogging course to learn how to be a better blogger, a more giving blogger.
It’s important to me that I not get comfortable or lazy when it comes to blogging for two reasons:
1. It’s how I make a living so that I can homeschool my kids.
2. I want to be an example of a lifelong learner to my children.
The course allows students to set their pace, and I specifically chose to make it a 6-week course. That was a momentum I felt I could maintain while still writing my weekly posts here, homeschooling, keeping up with Meredith in our Algebra 1 course, and spending quality time with my family.
I completed the course last week, but the benefits continue as I have access to the course material forever and the editors for a full year, which is amazing.
The course wasn’t easy.
It starts somewhat easy, but it quickly picks up the pace, and there were several days I had to step away because I was certain my brain would implode for trying to assimilate all the information.
I’m used to that though; because Algebra!
When that happened, I vocalized it to Meredith and Kenny. They commiserated with me, and we would all take a break. There is a healing power to taking a walk around the lake, turning up the music and having a dance party in the living room, or driving to town for an ICEE.
It’s also one of the many reasons I love homeschooling.
Learn to love learning alongside your kids.
You don’t need to learn the same thing they are learning; well, unless you’re teaching it to them, then you do.
Lifelong learning extends beyond school subjects.
It’s what we do on our own.
For Kenny, it may be learning how to survive and thrive in Minecraft or Call of Duty. There are forums, videos, and an entire community dedicated to this, and he puts the time in, researching and learning both from reading and through trial and error.
For Meredith, it may be surfing Pinterest and Instagram for nail art inspiration. She researches techniques, paints (Did you know they use acrylic paint on nails? Me either.), the right brushes, and other supplies. She recently ordered three brushes from an overseas supplier because of their super fine tip.
Meredith also began focusing on improving her piano skills over the last several months. At her request, we sought out a new instructor who challenges her to be her own teacher throughout the week. I love when I see BYOT (Be Your Own Teacher) next to a piece in Meredith’s assignment journal. I notice she works especially hard on those pieces.
For Emelie, it’s learning how to manage and inspire others toward a common goal in her Shift Manager position at Starbucks. And in her time away from work, she still draws inspiration online and through Instagram for her artwork, collaging original pieces she likes to share with others.
I’m learning about multiple things too. I cannot tell you how many gardening and plant care videos I’ve watched over the last 6 months. And then, there is my writing course, the promotion and marketing books I’ve read, and time spent reading my Bible, which daily reminds me who I am and helps me keep everything in perspective.
Like mine, your household is made up of different individuals with varying interests and personalities.
It isn’t important WHAT you continue learning but THAT you continue learning.
And that is the key to not being a hypocrite while raising lifelong learners.
Keep learning yourself.
I always feel like somebody’s watching me.
Your kids have to see that you haven’t stopped learning.
Your kids have to see you stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone.
Your kids have to see you practice what you preach.
Someone is always watching you, especially your kids.
The other day I was trying to edit a post by about 700 words. As in, I needed to cut the post to the word count requested by the blog owner who had accepted my post pitch already.
The thing is, before I submitted it to my course editor, I felt I had already sloughed off all the extra.
It was a daunting task. I get emotionally attached to my words. I felt they were all important.
But they weren’t.
At one point, I took my hands off the keyboard. Purposely placed them in my lap, closed my eyes and focused on breathing.
I knew I could do better.
I needed to focus.
Meredith saw me and said, “Momma, are you okay?”
“Yep,” I told her. “This is just hard. I’m refocusing.”
And then she encouraged me.
She told me she could tell I was working hard.
She told me to take a break and get some tea. That if I walked away for just a few minutes it might recharge me and help me refocus.
She told me she knew I could do it.
I turned to her and smiled because I’ve said those same words to her, and she was giving them back to me.
She was watching me struggle.
She was watching me learn.
She knows it’s hard to learn new things, but she knows it’s worth it; so, she offered me what I always offer her.
Encouragement to persist.
And I did.
And we do.
Together.
Do not stop. Keep Learning.
The most inspiring people are inspired themselves.
You don’t want someone to tell you what to do while they sit and reminisce on their past accomplishments.
That’s for ex-football stars reveling in their glory days, not for parents raising resourceful, talented, intelligent, forward-thinking children.
They aren’t interested in what you did back then but what you can do now – what you strive toward every day.
What they see.
If you chase down knowledge, seek understanding, and push through when things are hard, they will too.
Not just today and tomorrow, but a lifetime.
Heather Sanders helps moms pursue their passions and earn an income while staying home with their kids. If you want to raise your children while contributing to your family financially and following your dreams, subscribe to her blog now.