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What the Ants Taught Me About Homeschooling

Veronica
2 days ago
4 min read

I’ve been taking morning walks lately. Starting the day with fresh air and some red light therapy (the sun) has been such a calming way to get in some extra steps and set the tone for the day.

The other day as I was walking, I noticed grass clippings in two horizontal rows, alongside the crevice of the sidewalk. I took a few extra steps and noticed another set of parallel lines of grass clippings, then another and another.

As I took a closer look, I saw a trail of ants walking to and fro in the crevice, busily going about their day. It was then that I realized that someone had mowed their lawn the day before, and it was those busy ants that had made those rows of grass clippings on either side of those crevices.

Look to the ant . . .

The ants didn’t make a new trail. They didn’t give up and stop working. And they didn’t trample on top of those grass clippings either.

They took each and every one of those cut blades of grass and moved it out of the way. Every single one.

Sometimes in homeschooling, we have a lot of “cut blades of grass” in the middle of our days. Whether it’s a curriculum that we’re trudging through or a start time that lags, there’s always a ton of life that works itself into the crevices of our days.

When those piles start forming and things start to get overwhelming, it’s easy to want to just start all over and cut a new trail.

That’s right about the time when we venture to the online reviews in search of the perfect curriculum that will blow all the obstacles away.

I know. I've done it, and it can help--if the curriculum is truly the problem. (And sometimes it is!)

But if it's not, what you will end up with is a whole other pile of clippings right in the middle of your day.

Sometimes we want to quit . . . and sometimes, we just keep trampling over the messes in hopes that one day, things will just work themselves out.

They rarely ever do.

Homeschooling through the different seasons of life means that we have to be ready for those “clippings” to come our way.

It also means that we need to be ready to pick up each and every one and be really honest about what needs to be done to get it out of the way. It’s one at a time, friend—just like the ants.

Do you need to adjust the pacing of the curriculum? Add some movement throughout the day? Be more consistent with homeschool start times? End times? Breaks? Chores?

Do you need to reach out for help? Make a better plan? Create more structure? Stay off your phone? Start in prayer? Let go of some things?

What exactly is making the day feel overwhelming and cluttered?

Identify it. Make a list. Don't ignore it!

Life is YOUR curriculum, and sometimes, you’re being called to GROW.

Be prayerful and intentional. Take some time to reflect and journal.

In this fast-paced world of constant information, if you don’t take the time to process and filter, your brain will literally get stuck.

Begin with ONE THING at a time.

Do the work, and get it fully out of the way before picking up the next thing. And then the next.

You don't have to start all over. You probably don't need to buy a different curriculum and make a new path. And you definitely don't have to keep trampling over the messes.

Life is one daily choice after another, slowly making a path for the things that truly matter.

It's "line by line, precept by precept, here a little, there a little." (just like the ants 😉)

Pick one thing to overcome, one day at a time.

You’re doing good work, friend.

Keep your eyes on what is most important. 💗

(Proverbs 6:6; Isaiah 28:10)

Are you struggling with where to start?

Begin with your HOME.

Visit my Member Freebies for the Masterclass: Nurturing Connections in Your Homeschool, including a FREE Homeschool Mom Bucket Planner with the five key areas you’ll want to target.

With tracking grids and a place to record your ideas, resources, or thoughts, it’s the perfect tool for identifying those "clippings" and helping you work through each one so that you can more clearly walk into the vision you have for your home and homeschool.

Then get your SCHOOL in order.

Continue the video series in “Ditch the Overwhelm to Connect with What Matters Most.” From vision planning to weekly planning, these videos will take you step-by-step through the process so that you can focus on what matters most.

Need TARGETED SUPPORT?

Visit the blog or my YouTube channel for planning inspiration and encouragement!

Or hit “Reply” and let me know how I can help!

You got this, friend!

Praying for you,

Veronica