- Do what you love.
- Go on a long walk with your children.
- Give a lesson on sibling relationships.
- De-clutter with passion.
- Use your sense (scents).
- Just once, let the mess go.
- Live on purpose.
- Simplify your life.
- Follow this list.
- Consider ways to earn from home.
- Sell washer necklaces
- Make all your gifts.
- Cut costs in the kitchen.
- Turn your hot water heater off.
- Save money with your mind.
- Learn to upcycle.
- Hang your laundry on a clothesline.
25 Reasons We Homeschool
1. Christian parents are commanded to disciple their children.
2. We don’t have to deal with the disadvantages of peer dependency.
2. We get to pursue the many methods of education and suit them to each child’s learning style and interests.
4. Because we believe education is a transfer of a way of life.
5. Life is simpler and slower-paced.
6. We don’t have to buy all our kids a car, designer clothes and the latest technical gadgets.
7. They are more likely to be better socialized.
8. We can “think outside the classroom.”
9. Our girls can be free from the pressure of dual-careerism.
10. A lifestyle of learning affords freedom and flexibility.
11. We feel like one of the most important things missing in traditional education is the teaching of a biblical worldview. At home, we can make this priority.
12. We value relationships over any earthly thing.
13. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter children.
14. Life is much more like the “real world” than a classroom.
15. Because learning happens all the time–I want to be there.
16. Because conversation is huge.
17. Because there are so many options besides college.
18. Because, according to John Taylor Gatto, “schools hurt children.”
19. College is not our ultimate aim.
21. Because of the secret in Proverbs 3.
22. Parents are the most qualified to teach their children.
23. n important part of learning is work.
24. Homeschooling can improve marriage.
25. To avoid raising Socialists.
One of the best, honest pieces I’ve read lately on motherhood…WELL worth the read…be sure to share.
“Christian mothers carry their children in hostile territory. When you are in public with them, you are standing with, and defending, the objects of cultural dislike. You are publicly testifying that you value what God values, and that you refuse to value what the world values. You stand with the defenseless and in front of the needy. You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent laying down your life for another—and laying down your life for another represents the gospel.” -Rachel Jankovich
Someone told me it would be helpful if all the posts about the tornado that affected our family were in one place. So here it is, in chronological order! (As well as other links that may include news stories, videos, etc.) As I add updates, I will also include them in this post. Right now things are well. We are in the rebuilding process which is a bit stressful as we fight the clock, and one of my children is suffering from what appears to be adrenal fatigue. If you think to pray, we would be most grateful.
”When my life is not what I expected, the plans I made have failed
When there’s nothing left to steal me away, will You be enough for me? Will my broken heart still sing?If I lost it all, Would my hands stay lifted, to the God who gives and takes away
You take it all, This life You’ve given, STILL MY HEART WILL SING TO YOU.”
God is Mighty to Save…All is Not Lost
Tornado Update April 30 (from Kathy–videos and pictures)
Mailing Addresses for Lees and Crawfords
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Part 1 (The Story)
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Part 2
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Part 3
Beauty for Ashes on April 27 Conclusion
When Love Looks Like Lumber (First building update)
Update: On Building and Scrap Wood
Update: Six Months After the Storm
Life is complicated enough. I’m on a constant mission to simplify our lives in every area I can. Here are a few ideas for your inspiration!
1. Streamline cleaning products, toiletries, etc.
Note: Please be aware that companies are fiercely competing for your attention and money. Shopping for toothpaste can be a nightmare–can I get a witness? Being very interested in marketing, I pay attention to strategies.
Clever companies are brilliant at “new and improved” products, and even better at convincing us how badly we need them. But often the hype is just that and the simpler we keep our product choices the better.
Some have done away with commercial brands altogether in favor of cheaper and healthier alternatives. Baking soda and water cleans hair…and teeth. Vinegar is an excellent household cleaner. And hey, why can’t you wash your body with your shampoo and cut back the number of bottles in the shower? Shave with conditioner?
2. Kid’s Baths
If you have many children, you probably already throw several of the little ones together at bath time. AND, you may have figured out that they don’t have to be bathed every night (it’s bad for hair and skin). One thing we do to simplify bath time is squirt a bit of body wash or shampoo into the bath water. By the time they’re done playing, they’re clean–no scrubbing required. Wash hair and be done.
3. Counter Tops
Simply put, the fewer things that are sitting out on counter tops, the easier to keep the surfaces clean. Take a fresh look at your bathrooms and kitchen. Are there things that could find a home in a cabinet? Could you hang a few baskets to group things and get them off the counters? Could you just pare down?
4. Location, Location, Location
Take an inventory of utensils, cleaning products and supplies. Are they in the place that makes the most sense? If your little ones help set the table, have you considered moving your dishes to a lower cabinet or drawer? Would dressing for bed be easier if the children kept their pajamas under their pillow? Give some thought to making things as practical to find as possible. I’d also stick a “delegation reminder” in here…your children need practical jobs around the house teaching them responsibility, helping prepare them for their own home and participating as a team player in the home. Don’t forget to delegate the age-appropriate jobs–it makes everyone’s life easier.
5. Storing Sheet Sets
Most of you probably know this trick, but I was delighted to find out how to keep sheet sets neatly stored. Fold sheets as neatly as possible then tuck them inside the pillowcase, smooth flat and stack. My friend wraps hers with twine and a label!
6. Charts and Lists
I like to have a chore chart for each person (including myself) posted in a central location. It can take a lot of nagging out of the day, especially if you have agreed with your children on a negative consequence in the case they don’t complete their chores. One simple way you may want to consider posting lists is right on the refrigerator with a dry erase marker. You could also paint a wall or the front of a cabinet (or inside the cabinet door) with chalkboard paint.
7. Plan Meals Ahead
For many people, a super-rigid menu doesn’t work. But it can be a real problem to leave this area completely undone. I suggest jotting down 6 or 7 meal ideas before the week begins. Look over the menu and make sure you have the ingredients you’ll need. As the week progresses, you may switch the meals around or have an unexpected dinner invitation. But having a meal idea on hand will keep you from spur of the minute take-outs. (That chalkboard inside the cabinet may be a good place for menu planning.)
8. Slow Down–On Purpose
I heard the phrase “having in quantity” (life status) versus “having with quality” (life quality). Often the life we end up living is not driven by the things that are truly important to us, but rather what we think are important to others. We must choose to exclude the things in our lives that rob us of quality living–things that rob us from relationships. Saying “no” to more things or more activities may just be the simple way to simplify.
These are just a few things to help you get started really thinking about how to simplify your life. Choose simplicity.
A woman’s life-work is HARD. Period. I submit to you that one of the most important things we can do to remain vigilant as wives and mothers is to encourage one another. If we don’t, we can quickly get overwhelmed, discouraged and defeated.
Jennifer at Renewing Houswives has a heart for just such encouragement. She is hosting Morning Motivations, beginning Monday, July 18th-Friday, July 22nd from 8 to 8:15 am, CST. Then again on July 25th to Aug. 5th from 10-10:15, CST.
The first week is FREE!!! And it’s only $11/household for the remaining two weeks. Once you register, you will be given specific information on how to listen and/or participate (there will a chance to ask questions to the guest speaker after each session).
I’ll be speaking on a day to be announced 😉
Twenty-four hours–that’s all you get. Time is our most valuable commodity. We not only have a limited number of hours per day, but we are only given a limited number of hours to live. How we choose to spend this gift is very important.
Think about your family’s purpose, your goals, your vision. What do you want to accomplish in this small space of time here? What things are the most important to you? Which things will last? Which things will soonest be forgotten? What kind of legacy do you wish to leave?
Refusing to acknowledge that our time here is pretty limited causes most people to twitter a great deal of it away. Time is our life. Wasted time is wasted life. Ouch.
A few activities that Americans seem to adore, even to the detriment of their relationships are:
- T.V.
- Computer/Gadgets/Games
These things are not inherently evil. But they can easily become enemies of our relationships if we don’t deliberately limit them.
According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day. In a 65-year life, that person will have spent 9 years glued to the tube. Most families actually report that watching T.V. is the only “family time” they get. That is, most “family time” is spent watching other (usually fictitious) families live. It almost sounds crazy.
Consequently, many families report only engaging in a few minutes of conversation with each other each day! And we wonder why our problems!
While getting rid of the television may not be the right option for every family, I would suggest at least not keeping one in the main living space. Also, if T.V. time is greatly limited it is more likely to be enjoyed.
- Sports
Whether we’re playing or watching, sports have become an idol to many American families. The love of sports can root out important time around the dinner table, leave parents and children frazzled from the harried schedules and even pull families away from resting and worshiping together on the Sabbath.
I am NOT opposed to sports….unless they strain family relationships and rob families of their priorities. Lately I’ve seen school sports teams require inordinate amounts of time from their players at younger and younger ages. When families can’t participate in holiday gatherings because of sports commitments, it might be time to reevaluate whether it’s important enough to us. I would simply challenge families to consider the reason they are willing to devote so much time and energy to them. Is it a pursuit you’ll be glad you sacrificed so much for five years from now? Does it enrich your family? Does it still leave room for your highest priorities?
- Work
Obviously, someone has to work to pay the bills. But it’s important to make sure that the things we are working for is furthering our family’s purpose. If we are working to pay for all the extras that are already robbing our family of time and energy we may need to reevaluate our budget and activities. Perhaps a two income family would make it on one income if our pursuits were shifted around and there was more time to think about saving money and living more simply. Maybe hours could be cut back if we cut back other expenses that aren’t necessarily enriching our family.
- Computer/Gadgets/Games
In the most technologically advanced era to date, screens pulls us away from each other with an incredible force. We have to be deliberate to limit our time in these areas. I personally think it’s a bad idea to give children their own phones and gadgets. It certainly presents a bigger challenge for relationships and living simply, not to mention the suggested research on the mental harm these hyper-stimulating activities can have on developing brains.
There are huge perks to Internet access and the ability to reach anyone any time. But just because those conveniences are available doesn’t mean we have to be enslaved to them. Most of us feel obligated to answer our cell phones no matter where we are. I’ve noticed how many will answer their phones in the middle of a visit or dinner…something that would once be considered extremely rude. Turn off the phone, put limits around computer use and let’s keep our faces looking at each other!
Maybe we need a hard, honest look at the way we spend our time. Do we do the things we do because it makes us better and life simpler? Or do we do them to keep up with the neighbors? What do our children really need to grow into well-rounded adults?
Perhaps “budgeting” our time, as Dave Ramsey suggests with our money, would make sense. It’s not that it’s wrong to do fun things or have down time, but we must “tell” our time where to go or too much of it will slip away on unimportant things, leaving too little time for the important ones.
Let me leave you with a thought to ponder….”without relationships, we have empty lives…it’s all about relationships”. Be vigilant to keep them rich.
How can I be a good steward of God gives me and still live with simplicity?
We all know that more stuff is more complicated. But what of our good stewardship over what we are given? What about being frugal and saving things for a later use?
Ginger mentioned in the last post how many clothes are given to her. We are blessed in the same way. We are given so many wonderful clothes that we rarely need to buy any. But, what if you simply have too many? Honestly, I really struggle to get rid of perfectly good clothing. If you have someone to pass them along to, that may be a good answer.
I have a plan…
As I wait in our temporary home and plan how to keep our lives simple now that we are starting with a fresh slate, I have a plan. Perhaps it will inspire you to do something similar.
I’ve heard suggestions of the large family clothing dilemma go something like: “Save each child a play outfit, a couple of dress outfits and a few things in between, and get rid of the rest”. Sounds good at first, but I can’t do it. What happens when those few things get stained or torn? What happens when they grow out of them? Back to the store to BUY new ones when we just gave away perfectly good clothes.
So…I’m planning the “Crawford Thrift Store”. We have an extra room in our basement. Once our home is rebuilt, I plan to outfit this room with clothing racks, shelves and places for shoes. I will THEN give each child only a few outfits and shoes to keep up with. I will put any surplus in the “store”, keeping it locked and only accessing it as needed. Anticipating the same “disposable mindset” I mentioned in the last post from knowing there is an abundance of clothes behind the door, it has crossed my mind to require a child to buy new shoes or clothing from our “store” if he lost them due to carelessness. To me, this is the best of both worlds. Rooms with lower maintenance, good stewardship of what is given, and the chance to teach our children the value of money.
This concept could be applied to most items that seem to multiply in your home.
Two Important Questions
In other “stuff” areas besides clothing, Tsh Oxenreider, author of Organized Simplicity, says to ask yourself two questions regarding every item in your home: “Is it useful?” and “Is it beautiful to some member of our family?” If the answer is “no” to both questions, get rid of it.
She also suggests taking inventory of things like kitchen utensils. Isn’t it better to have one really quality skillet than trying to store six cheap ones? Clean out, have a yard sale, and spend that money on some quality tools.
Getting rid of it or finding a good place for it for later use will free up our time, our energy and even our “emotional clutter”, giving us more room for REAL living.