Some days you just wake up and you are not feeling it. That was today for me. I didn’t sleep well last night and I just couldn’t shake being crabby! I had no patience and found myself very irritated with my middle two kids and their constant bickering. Now, of course they bicker every day, but today I just couldn’t. So I didn’t. I sent them outside. For the day. And now, the day is coming to a close, the kids are all asleep and I just got to thinking about how great that choice was.
Guess what these two did outside all day. They got out the hose, made a giant mud pit, dug in it, threw it around, then cleaned off with water balloons. How glorious! Yeah, they made a mess out there and all over themselves, but they were free to just be kids. And, that’s just what they needed. They got to be wild and crazy, play with fun tactile stuff, breathe fresh air, have sun on their skin, and be physical.
Eliza is 5 and in kindergarten this year. We got about half of her school work done before she got sent outside and we never came back to finish it. She didn’t come inside until 5:45 and we don’t need to do school in the evening! I don’t feel guilty about not getting it done or stressed that we didn’t get to cross today’s lessons off our to-do list. We just went with what our family needed today and I feel great about that.
Sometimes I have these moments where I am overcome with gratitude for being able to homeschool. I am feeling this right now. On the evening of an overall “off” day. What a blessing that my kids, with pent up energy and aggravated emotions could just go outside together, into our safe backyard to play it off all afternoon. They came in and got bathed before bed and I don’t think they fought with anyone the rest of the night! Mission accomplished.
I’m going to bed a happy mama.
