Self-care Archives - Page 2 of 2

Attend a Homeschooling Conference!

April 16, 2019November 6, 2019 Melissa AtLee

My friend Nicole and I finally got to meet the amazing Andrew Pudewa. #fangirls.

“The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only – and that is to support the ultimate career.” C.S. Lewis

This quote by the great C.S. Lewis was on the welcome page of the program guide at the Great Homeschool Convention event in Texas last month. As soon as I read it, I knew I was in the right place. I see my role as a homeschooling mom as my calling, my vocation, and my profession. I’m often asked by strangers if I’m “qualified” to teach my children. Since I don’t have a teaching degree, this question used to fluster me and leave me feeling, well, unqualified. But after years of reflection, I can confidently assert that I’m qualified. Like a true professional, I’m dedicating thousands of hours to master my trade. I actively engage with veteran homeschooling moms, curriculum creators, and experienced teachers. Undoubtedly, however, one of the best ways in which I invest in my professional development is by attending homeschooling conferences.

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Family, Kids, Marriage, Self-care, Uncategorized

New in 2019: Resolutions

February 2, 2019May 22, 2019 Melissa AtLee

Happy New Year!
Photo by Roven Images on Unsplash

I have never been into making resolutions. It’s probably because I have such a poor track record of accomplishing big goals that the last thing I need is a visual reminder of all the goals I’m not “crushing”. Over the last year or two, however, I’ve felt the need to become more intentional about my life. Perhaps it’s because I recently joined the 40s club, and it’s given me an existential crisis – where am I, where have I been and where am I going? Or perhaps it’s because my kids are getting older and I’m no longer on survival mode. Therefore I have more time to reflect and make some longer term goals. Whatever the reason, making resolutions for this new year is making sense to me. You can tell I’m new at this, for it’s already the end of January and I’m still in goal setting mode. Oh well. Baby steps! So here they are – many of them are half-baked but I won’t let that stop me!

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Self-care

Morning Meditation: Blessed are the Meek

December 17, 2018March 17, 2019 Melissa AtLee

As part of my effort to carve out personal and prayer time before the kids wake up, I am reading daily meditations from In Conversation With God, by Fr. Francis Fernandez. Every once in a while I will share something I read which resonates with me.

Every time I think meek, I think baby lamb.
Photo by Gabriele Agrillo on Unsplash

“Oh it’s the *Meek*…blessed are the Meek! That’s nice, I’m glad they’re getting something, ’cause they have a hell of a time.” Monty Python’s Life of Brian (an irreverent but hilarious movie with superb social commentary).

Today’s meditation is about meekness. How I have struggled with that word. For the longest time I equated meekness with being a pushover, a coward, and a weakling. I would think: the louder, the stronger. This mistaken understanding has caused me a lot of pain throughout the years. Rather, it has caused those close to me a lot of pain, as they have had to deal with my outbursts and hot temper.

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Kids, Self-care, Uncategorized

How My New Morning Routine is Giving me Peace

December 17, 2018April 1, 2019 Melissa AtLee

What I would give to enjoy a warm almond croissant every morning with my coffee. Alas, I’m over 40 so no. Photo credit Charisse Kenion.

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A few months ago, I hit rock bottom. After eight years of doing this homeschooling gig, you think I would have figured out how to prevent burnout. But no. Every single year, many times a year, I crash and burn. My patient husband then proceeds to pick up the broken pieces and put me back together. Somehow, by the time June rolls around, we decide to give homeschooling another go.

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