Thursday, January 8, 2009

Morning Devotionals

We're still taking things a bit slow around here. We're mostly over the flu (if that is what it was), but have lingering coughs and tiredness. And of course crankiness. I suspect our English word cranky shares its origins with the German krank, meaning sick. Certainly being sick makes us all rather emotionally fragile. And of course my job is to try to keep all these cranky people happy, without having an emotional meltdown myself. Honestly, there are days when I feel exhausted from the energy expended throughout the day in the effort to remain calm!
On the plus side, we've started out our new year with at least one new habit that is so far proving quite successful. I have introduced a morning devotional during our breakfast hour. We use this time to memorize scriptures and spiritual songs, to read the scriptures, and to pray together. Sometimes we also read a poem. So far the children have participated cheerfully, and it really helps to get our day off to a good start. I made a chart to put up on the wall to remind us. Every morning after breakfast one of the children gets to put a sticker on the chart. I have also introduced sticker charts for music practice, foreign language study, and recess, which my children will tell you is the most important part of homeschool! Recess means outdoor time, playing at the playground, riding bikes, or anything else as long as we are outdoors and active. I really do believe Charlotte Mason's observation that children really need time outdoors, especially in a natural environment. The sticker chart is really for me--to remind me to take them out! They certainly don't need any extra urging.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you have a great start to your homeschool. I wish I had little people to teach again.

Breezy Point Mom said...

I feel for your family during your cranky sick time. But it looks like you are having a good start to the new year. I wish you success and continuity in your new habits and endeavors!

Kelley said...

I have tried and tried to make morning devotionals work in our family, but so far they haven't. We've found a system that works at night, but really by then I'm tired and I want the kids in bed. Hopefully sometime we'll get mornings to work again.

Good job on the great system/habit. That's the hardest part.

Maile said...

I love the idea of having a morning devotional. My kids really love hearing scripture stories, so I need to be better about consistently telling them.

And I completely agree about kids needing outdoor time. My kids are happy with a stretch of grass, some twigs, and berries. I think most kids love being creative in the natural outdoors when given the chance.

Ruth MacC said...

The devotional time sounds good, so does geting out more often. I fall back on the second one. My son and I are just getting over a vomiting but and one thing I believe the Lord has shown me is for us to get out of the house more often and appreciate our good health!

God bless,

Ruth

Breezy Point Mom said...

I hope the new habits have been sticking. I know it is difficult to do new good habits in our house. I tagged you at my Mighty Oaks Country School blog. Come take a look at http://violinkids.blogspot.com/2009/01/lisa-at-pockets-of-time-tagged-me-to.html

Have a blessed Sunday!