In an effort to keep our families safe and stop the spread of the Coronavirus, the majority of parents have been forced to stay at home and homeschool their children. Most of the schools were closed, and so were many of the daycares. Moms and Dads all over the world are now having to stay at home all day with their kids; this is a problem many weren't ready to face.
Most of us are used to having our kids at school for at least a few hours a day, having them home every day can be challenging.Â
Hopefully, you won't have to be homeschooling for years but in the meantime, remember that you're not alone. Keeping your sanity while homeschooling your kids and still get stuff done isn't easy. Surely for most of us, including your kids, it was, or still is, a trial and error process, still getting adjusted to the schedule. Allow yourself to have some quiet moments away from the kids. This can be beneficial for you and them. Give yourself a short break each day to regroup and connect with your faith. It can be tough sometimes, and it probably won't be the same as before you had to homeschool your kids, but it can be done.
Realistically, you may not have an hour for yourself, and we have to recognize that, but that's okay! With a little creativity, we can still nurture our spiritual growth. I recall a particularly chaotic morning when I had to get creative - I listened to a devotional podcast while making breakfast, and it helped set a positive tone for the day. For instance, I've also found that using a prayer app can be a great way to stay connected to my faith, even on the most hectic days. I can quickly glance at a daily verse or prayer prompt, and it gives me a much-needed boost to tackle the rest of my day. Another approach that has worked for me is to turn daily tasks into opportunities for reflection - like when I'm folding laundry or waiting in line, I use those moments to silently pray or reflect on my blessings.
One way that I think maybe pretty simple, at least for some people, is to wake up early; just a short while before the rest of the household can make all the difference. There are also a few digital tools that we can take advantage of, like audiobooks. We can listen to the Bible while we are getting ready or while preparing dinner. You can also sign up for email prayers or newsletters, and you will have great encouraging articles sent directly to your inbox. You can also try to incorporate some Bible study into the kids' curriculum and pray together for a brief period or watch a Bible story together. If you show them how important it is for you to prioritize your faith, it'll be beneficial for them and may help them develop a habit of seeking spiritual guidance as well.
Finding moments for reflection is hard, and it becomes much more challenging when you add homeschooling to your daily, already busy schedule. It can be done; all you have to do is make some adjustments and make your spiritual well-being a priority. As you go about your day, look for opportunities to whisper a prayer or express gratitude, even if it's just while doing the dishes.
Hopefully, you can use some of these tips to deepen your connection with your faith. You can be sure your day will go much smoother, and you will feel at peace.Â
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. - Matthew 6:6
