Walk to Sleep Better

By Donna Vail

Studies show that as little as 10 minutes of walking will help reduce cortisol levels in the bloodstream, the very thing keeping you up or waking you at night. Your body can handle occasional bursts of cortisol however too much weakens the immune system, can cause circulatory problems as well as signals the body to store fat. Exercise triggers your brain to produce chemicals that calm you down, regulates your hormones and makes you feel good. An extensive test done on 700 men and women revealed that if they walked at least six blocks a day at a moderate pace they were less likely to have sleep problems.

You don’t have to have a lot of time blocked out of your schedule everyday for walking but as you begin the practice you will find yourself fully committed to walking. Not only will you feel better for walking but you will also sleep better and wake up more rested. Begin taking a 30-minute walk in the morning to jump start your day. This will power you up to be more energetic, productive and happy.  You deserve the little bit of time it takes to care for your body. As you take care of yourself, feel better and are more energized; you can lead your family forward –this is for you and your family as well.

Moms Inspired to Action:

• If you don’t have time to take two walks a day, determine a time when you can take at least one walk.
• Occasionally take a quick 10-minute walk to refresh, stretch and get some fresh air and sunshine. If you need to take your children include them in, it will be just as good for them and teachings them great habits in self-care and exercise.
• Create a playlist of your favorite music or audio book to listen to while you walk.
• Get additional tips on walking at www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/walking

 About Donna Vail  

Donna Vail is an education-parenting specialist, coach, mompreneur, homeschooling mother of six children, author and founder of An Inspired Education. She helps families create a lifestyle of true freedom by balancing education, work and life through self-education, entrepreneurship and inspiration. She is a highly sought after consultant for her successful guidance and resources that enable parents to let go of traditional parenting and education models, creating a lifestyle of learning where the whole family flourishes. You can find more of her resources at http://www.aninspirededucation.com

“Deepen Learning in Your Homeschool”

By Donna Vail

“I cannot teach anybody anything; I can only make them think.” -Socrates

Living an Inspired Education is neither unschooling nor is it classical; it is inspired. Yes, it’s a mixture of unschooling, Montessori, leadership, classical and eclectic. In fact, what your Inspired Education looks like and another family’s Living an Inspired Education may appear to be completely different. This is how I created it. It’s not a long list of rules and parameters, but rather fluid methods and procedures that allow for adaptability and flexibility. This enables families to acquire an excellent education while still maintaining their own unique purpose and personalized way of living.

When we focus on shedding our “schoolish” ways of the past inspiration is what follows. Implementing a Living an Inspired Education model for your homeschool, you will need to create more flow for your children to deepen their learning. Not only will you be fulfilling this need in your children but for yourself as well. This increases your quality of living, individually and as a family.

“I have never let me schooling interfere with my education.” –Mark Twain

As our life has sped up with instant access to the world via the Internet, it’s easy for our children to fall into the busyness of every day, coming and going but never really challenged, never allowed to pursue what’s relevant to them, unable to concentrate or focus, engag or be heard.

As parents it’s our responsibility to provide, guide and then step aside so our children don’t miss out on the depth every day has to offer.

Here are 4 practical ways to deepen learning in your homeschool:

1. Challenge and Support. It’s easy for children to get bored and distracted when they are not challenged. If they are challenged too much it can cause anxiousness or even quitting all together. By continually seeking to move up a level or work just above current abilities creates the prime conditions for growth which is on the border of challenge and support.
2. Relevancy. We are always choosing in the direction of our highest values, whether we are conscious of it or not. When we move in another direction or get distracted away from our highest values, then we feel stress, disinterest and can’t engage. By tying lessons, basic academics and all studies to be relevant to the student’s values and life there will be a greater engagement and interesting increasing results dramatically.
3. Concentration. Younger children will have bursts of concentration and as they move into more in-depth academics they will need the time and space allowing them to reach a deeper point of concentration. Older children will need longer periods of time to concentrate as they are working on advanced studies. Keeping your schedule flexible and encouraging periods of concentrated studies for uninterrupted time will take your child to the real rewards concentration offers. This is where the learning dives to the depths of discovery, understanding and ultimately wisdom.
4. Engage. Research shows that hands-on activities engage students to learn more and retain more long term. Find projects that match your child’s interests and provide all of the materials necessary to complete the project. This can be done together; from concept to completion. Allow them to express themselves uniquely whether it’s using recycled materials to build a big project, fine art or even solving a problem. Again, this is where space and time are imperative to reach the state of being engaged.

“Education is not a product: mark, diploma, job, money –in that order; it is a process, a never-ending one.” –Bel Kaufman

Parents Inspired to Action:

• Ask your child what he wants to accomplish. Help them find the sweet spot according to their ability and work together to create manageable steps. Re-adjust along the way as necessary.
• Know your highest values. Know each of your children’s highest values. Always tie their skills back to their highest values pointing out how relevant it is to their life.
• Engage older children into discovering their highest values while you are mentoring them.

Children Inspired to Action:

•  All children think differently and process information differently. Be open to creating goals and schedules together in a way that supports them individually.
• Don’t forget to laugh. Laughing engages kids and often times takes away the stress that might be felt when challenged. Speak their language and walk beside them
• Look for hands-on activities for each of your children. Allow each child to express their self in the way that is most comfortable. Whether it’s through art, solving problems or making projects self expression should always be encouraged.

What ways have you inspired your children to deeper learning? Have you noticed what they are doing when they are fully engaged? Please join our inspired families share by leaving a comment below.

It shouldn’t be a lot of work or take hours and hours each day to create the homeschool you desire. That’s why I created the Mentor Mastery Inner Circle. It’s an easy way to stay focused on your homeschool and family, creating the balance you desire with education, work and life. Whether you’re a new to homeschooling or a long-time homeschooler looking to simplify, I highly recommend joining the Mentor Mastery Inner Circle so you can easily grow your homeschool and life each week. It keeps you inspired and you receive coaching directly from Donna in the critical areas needed to successfully set up and execute simple and effective homeschool systems providing an education in excellence while creating family harmony. It’s easy. It’s affordable. Get started today at www.aninspirededucation.com/inner-circle.html.
About Donna Vail

Donna Vail is an education-parenting specialist, coach, mompreneur, homeschooling mother of six children, author and founder of An Inspired Education. She helps families create a lifestyle of true freedom by balancing education, work and life through self-education, entrepreneurship and inspiration. She is a highly sought after consultant for her successful guidance and resources that enable parents to let go of traditional parenting and education models, creating a lifestyle of learning where the whole family flourishes. You can find more of her resources at http://www.aninspirededucation.com

Inspired Parents Raise Inspired Children Who Love to Learn

by Donna Vail

“I am here to serve. I am here to inspire. I am here to love. I am here to live my truth.” -Deepak Chopra

If you desire your children to love learning, it will begin with you. As you live inspired, curious about life and engaged in your every day, your children will as well. No matter how much or what you tell them to do, it is difficult for them to do anything other than what they are witnessing. As parents our duty is not to become slave to life; working to earn, toiling at home  and just getting by every day. Each and every person has an important role to fill and that includes living your truth, sharing love with others and inspiring your children.

Studies by the National Assessment of Educational Progress have found a direct link between the amount of printed material in a child’s home and their level of academic achievement. Children who have access to more books and learning at home are inspired to learn more. How much greater the results when we model for them how to apply these resources to every day practical living.

The best place to begin is reflecting on what your truth is and how you want to serve others. If you don’t know what that is then look at your life; what are your highest values? As you honor yourself, others will be able to honor you as well and this includes your children. Pick up a book and read more. Get a journal and write every day. Reflect on ways you can participate in your life more fully by living your truth.

Create an inspiring learning environment in your home making it a Smithsonian rather than Better Homes and Gardens. Create your own home library and as you build it supplement with regular trips to your local library. Become an explorer and engage in an expedition of living a lifestyle of learning. Surround yourself and your family with successful people. Do projects, read books and converse about it all together. This doesn’t have to be a difficult project, it can be done in baby steps.

Pick one thing for today. What will you read and what will you open yourself to learn today? Share this with your family tonight over dinner. Please share by leaving a comment below.

Related Article: Inspired Living, Learning and Being
About Donna Vail  

Donna Vail is an education-parenting specialist, coach, mompreneur, homeschooling mother of six children, author and founder of An Inspired Education. She helps families create a lifestyle of true freedom by balancing education, work and life through self-education, entrepreneurship and inspiration. She is a highly sought after consultant for her successful guidance and resources that enable parents to let go of traditional parenting and education models, creating a lifestyle of learning where the whole family flourishes. You can find more of her resources at http://www.aninspirededucation.com

Teach Your Children How to Interrupt

By Donna Vail

Is there a buzzer on my chair? It seems as though every time I sit down to focus on work my children need me to get them something or want to tell me about their play. Has this every happened to you? They mean well and just want more of you, unable to comprehend what you are working on and the needs of your work. Help them manage better by teaching them how to interrupt.

Explain to them in simple terms what you are working on. Tell them you have some work that requires all of your attention and other work can be interrupted or done while they are playing around you. Show them how to know when you are in your uninterruptable work by tying a scarf or ribbon the door handle. During this time you will be working on your work, if they have something to tell you, have them make a note so as not to forget to talk to you about it later. If they are younger they can tell an older sibling, care provider or draw a picture to remember. Promise a time after you complete your work session (keep it to 30m-1hour at a time unless you have your spouse or an adult care provider) you will give them your undivided attention to catch up on what happened while working. Be sure you put this allowance of time in your calendar.

Your uninterrupted work sessions are more possible when you have a spouse, babysitter or older children to watch younger children. Be extremely disciplined during this work session, maximizing your time. Save all things such as personal email and surfing the Internet for interruptible time. As you honor yourself to stick-to your plan, you will feel more productive and satisfied in your work. You will also have the peace of mind that your children are well cared for.

Make sure your children understand that they can come and get you or call you for emergencies or very important matters. Anything that can wait, you will check in with them at the end of your session.

Moms Inspired to Action:

• If your children or old enough practice role playing for different scenarios so they clearly understand what can wait and what an emergency is.
• Plan uninterrupted work at multiple times during the day or week. If you don’t have a sitter, use sleep time when they go to bed, nap or before they rise as your quiet time.
• Don’t plan uninterruptable work sessions back to back leaving your children for long extended sessions unless you have an appropriate family member or care provider to care for your children.

When is your best time to work uninterrupted? Does this require you to get a baby sitter or help from family? Please share in a comment below.

Are you tired, overwhelmed, experiencing burnout or know there’s an easier way? Trial and error can take a lot of time. If you would like a more systematic approach and support that includes the details to help you produce real change fast, I recommend joining the Mentor Mastery Inner Circle. It’s easy. It’s affordable.  Get started today at www.aninspirededucation.com/inner-circle.html.

About Donna Vail

Donna Vail is an education-parenting specialist, coach, mompreneur, homeschooling mother of six children, author and founder of An Inspired Education. She helps families create a lifestyle of true freedom by balancing education, work and life through self-education, entrepreneurship and inspiration. She is a highly sought after consultant for her successful guidance and resources that enable parents to let go of traditional parenting and education models, creating a lifestyle of learning where the whole family flourishes. You can find more of her resources at http://www.aninspirededucation.com

“Inspire Creativity in Your Children”

By Donna Vail

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” Scott Adams

The key to success in all areas of your life and in everything we do is creativity. It’s not only limited to art or music, it is a necessary component for math, science, writing and foundational in social intelligence.

As our world advances quickly in technology and change, creative people have an edge by being more flexible and better at solving problems.

Between video games, entertainment and the multitude of electronic toys available, it is imperative to find balance so your children’s creativity is not stifled. Finding this balance amidst it all, children who are encouraged to discover their creative side, will be more adept at living life with sense of self assurance that will carry them to unlimited heights of achievement throughout their life.

Three steps you can take now to inspire creativity in your children:

1. Provide time and space. Children need unstructured time where they can self-direct their play and imaginative explorations. We like to call this project time and my children know they have a good 2-4 hours to do what “they” want. They can make messes with kids, building things, painting, playing…whatever their interest. Create manageable areas where they are free to get things out but also know how to pick up later. Parents –no fussing allowed during this period. Just like when you’re cooking a mess has to be made and then you can enjoy your yummy creation and clean up.
2. Turn off the television. Create time when the television is not watched and leave the viewing for later in the day or on weekends only. Some families have decided to eliminate television entirely. Everyone’s idea of balance is different. You have to do what’s right for your family. When the TV is off, kids have more time to read for fun, work on projects, play outside, draw or do crafts and make things.
3. Create an inspiring learning environment. In An Inspired Education we include 8 ingredients to create our inspiring learning environment in your home and activities around the community.

Here are three of the eight ingredients to make your learning environment inspiring:

• People (parents, children, family, friends, community): The most powerful teaching tool of all is setting the example. Research clearly shows that young children who have the opportunity to learn from relatively few people, without the distraction of many children around them will be less confused and more certain of their direction. As you schedule more days for being at home and creativity you and your children will discover all the things you love to do.
• A natural flow of everyday life: Allowing the natural flow of everyday life will ensure that your children are learning all that needs to be learned for their each individual greater success. Because you are mentoring your children you no longer need to “hold class,” or create a full time teaching job. Your children will appreciate this flow of living and learning. In fact, this is where they thrive and the whole family can find a peaceful balance.
• Events in the home, community and world: Events in the home can move from regular everyday schedules and habits to special occasions. Inviting interesting people to your home for a visit or dinner that have stories and life experiences to share can add great interest and even share first person experiences in moments of history being created right now. Events in the community can be family oriented and events that extend into the world need to involve the whole family.

The quality of your homeschool will be dependent on the depth you take in the steps for creating an inspiring learning environment coupled with creativity. Create the experience and the life you want to live. It’s your privilege as a homeschooler, so be sure and live it!

 “A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something.” –Frank Capra

Parents Inspired to Action:

• Embrace the art of allowing. Let your children explore what interests them instead of always trying to direct them.
• Be open to new ideas your children come up with, letting them find out what works and what doesn’t work. Experience is the best teacher. Remember this is always in the safety of you because when they learn it with you they will be more successful when they are out on their own.
• Be a model by including in your day time for creativity. What interests you? What can you make or learn how to do? Share with them what you are learning and making as you walk beside them as partners.

Children Inspired to Action:  

• Before removing screen time, be sure you’ve filled the time and space with what they need to support their creative endeavors. Peak their interest with new and interesting projects. You can even get in there with them and do a project together launching them into creativity.
• Is there anyone in the community you can learn from through interview, observation or lessons? Perhaps there is someone with a unique experience who your children are interested in that you could invite to dinner.
• Ask your children what they are interested in doing. Explore together ways you can infuse your days with creativity. This will add to their satisfaction and often calm the anxious child.

It shouldn’t be a lot of work or take hours and hours each day to create the homeschool you desire. That’s why I created the Mentor Mastery Inner Circle. It’s an easy way to stay focused on your homeschool and family, creating the balance you desire with education, work and life. Whether you’re a new to homeschooling or a long-time homeschooler looking to simplify, I highly recommend joining the Mentor Mastery Inner Circle so you can easily grow your homeschool and life each week. It keeps you inspired and you receive coaching directly from Donna in the critical areas needed to successfully set up and execute simple and effective homeschool systems providing an education in excellence while creating family harmony. It’s easy. It’s affordable.

Get started today at www.aninspirededucation.com/inner-circle.html.

 
About Donna Vail

Donna Vail is an education-parenting specialist, coach, mompreneur, homeschooling mother of six children, author and founder of An Inspired Education. She helps families create a lifestyle of true freedom by balancing education, work and life through self-education, entrepreneurship and inspiration. She is a highly sought after consultant for her successful guidance and resources that enable parents to let go of traditional parenting and education models, creating a lifestyle of learning where the whole family flourishes. You can find more of her resources at http://www.aninspirededucation.com

How to Be a Peaceful Parent

By Donna Vail

If you feel peaceful within, you begin to attract more of the peace you desire. Why? Because you’re functioning from a place of peace. Your children are deeply connected with you and they feel your stress and anxiety even when you don’t verbally express it to them. Have you ever noticed they seem to act up more when your are stressed or anxious?

When you are homeschooling, your children are with you for many if not most hours of the day, everyday. Creating this peace makes all the difference in your life as well as theirs. Children are learning what they live, as parents we have to reflect on our ways and ask ourselves, “What we are modeling for them?” If you want to experience more peace in your every day, the only place to begin is within. Once you begin practicing this for yourself you can help your children practice this as well. Imagine doing math faster and easier with mindful breathing.

Here’s three practical steps you can begin taking towards peace. Even though they seem extremely simple you will be amazed when you apply these steps at how fast you will bring peace to your life. As easy as these steps are, peace is experienced when they are practiced. Give it a try, you will be amazed at how something so complex can make such a big difference. The fact that they are simple and touch the essence of our existence makes them even more powerful. Not only will it benefit you but also those who surround you and improve all areas of your life.

1. Mindful breathing. As you are aware of the air that is entering your body and the air leaving your body you are brought into the now. No longer do you have to look back at the past with regrets or fear the future, being in the now will bring you to an immediate peace. This is where you recognize your connection between body and air. We can go without food between 21-40 days without dying and without water for possibly 10 days however we need the air that we breathe. Our organs are created to work at their optimum with plenty of movement and oxygen which comes from mindful breathing. Optimize your body and soul at the same time. It can be done easily while you are sitting, lying down, standing, walking, driving or working. Here’s how Thich Nhat Hanh suggests to do for mindful breathing-

Breathing in, I am aware only of my in breath. Breathing out, I am aware only of my out breath…In, Out

Breathing in, I am aware that my in breath grows deep. Breathing out, I am aware that my out breath grows deep…Deep, Deep.

Breathing in, I am aware that my in breath goes slowly. Breathing out, I am aware that my out breath goes slowly…Slow, Slow.

2. Mindful walking. This is simply paying attention to your walking. Instead of being in other places with your thoughts and worries, completely be present in the moment. Notice your feet as they contact the ground. Breathe in and out easily as you walk. Fully enjoy everything that you experience; the beautiful flowers you pass, the vast open field in your view, the happy children playing outside or even the song of a bird. Taking a mindful walk everyday brings great peace to your life filling you with inspiration.

3. Mindful Communication. Speaking and listening with compassion is mindful communication. It means to be aware of what you are saying, using loving speech. It means listening deeply to the person speaking to hear what is being said and what is not being said. It is important in all of our relationships to be able to respond effectively, letting go of the pain and anger we’ve been concentrating on. As we strengthen our mindful breathing and mindful walking it will make mindful communication easier to practice naturally.

Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile…

Breathing in, I open my heart. Breathing out, in my heart there is room for you…

Stay inspired to love more, live more and learn more.

What have you practiced to find peace as a parent?  Please comment below…love to hear from you.

Are you tired, overwhelmed, experiencing burnout or know there’s an easier way? Trial and error can take a lot of time. If you would like a more systematic approach and support that includes the details to help you produce real change fast, I recommend joining the Mentor Mastery Inner Circle. It’s easy. It’s affordable. Get started today at www.aninspirededucation.com/inner-circle.html.

About Donna Vail

Donna Vail is an education-parenting specialist, coach, mompreneur, homeschooling mother of six children, author and founder of An Inspired Education. She helps families create a lifestyle of true freedom by balancing education, work and life through self-education, entrepreneurship and inspiration. She is a highly sought after consultant for her successful guidance and resources that enable parents to let go of traditional parenting and education models, creating a lifestyle of learning where the whole family flourishes. You can find more of her resources at http://www.aninspirededucation.com

Inspired Living, Learning and Being

By Donna Vail

I like to surround myself with inspiration, so today I am passing it on to you by sharing my perpetual calendar. This morning it reads:

Somehow, being inspired allows your thoughts to remove any of the bonds that can serve as excuses for not doing what you know you’re here to accomplish.

As you are raising your children, homeschooling, working and balancing all life has to offer, create an inspiring environment for the whole family to thrive. In An Inspired Education we include 8 ingredients to create an inspiring environment. The first three include:

1. People (parents, children, family, friends, community):

The most powerful teaching tool of all is setting the example. Research clearly shows that young children who have the opportunity to learn from relatively few people, without the distraction of many children around them, will be less confused and more certain of their direction.

Do parents really need so much convincing that they are responsible for their own children? They are born to us and from us; they are a part of us so they can best relate to us. As long as you’re not reproducing the public school model at home, most people find creating a natural learning environment at home to be rather easy.

Seriously consider the people you will have your children around. The younger they are the fewer these need to be. As they get older you will expand their influence. Start at the heart and be content with much time between you and your children. Naturally you will have the opportunity to bring family and extended relatives into the mix. Having your children involved in extracurricular activities needs to be cautionary. Always consider the family as a whole and keeping flexibility with plenty of exploration time for the children before adding too much outside activities.

2. A Natural Flow of Everyday Life:

As you think about “school”, our public school past conjures up visions of classrooms filled with children sitting at their desks quietly doing their work as a teacher stands at the head of the class lording over them. This is an artificial learning environment that is not conducive to natural learning. There may be some learning happening, but for the most part children are learning how to be directed each step of the way as to what to do and are being filled with facts for testing. What you want to provide in your homeschool is a natural flow of everyday life. This is how you’re going to maximize learning and be ensured that your child is learning all that he needs to learn for his greater success.

3. Time Tested Education Plan for Academic Excellence:

Keep It Simple Sweetie. When it comes to your children’s education always keep in mind K.I.S.S. As we process more and more information and have access to the latest and greatest; faster and faster, we tend to want to add to what we are already doing in order to “cover it all” or “not miss anything.” This is not what true education is about but rather acting out of fear.

When your child has a strong foundational education of excellence, knows how to educate himself and has the support and encouragement of fine mentors nothing is missed and you are totally covered; both your children and you in wanting to be responsible to their greatest success.

Keep in mind at all times that for everything you add to your child’s academic plan, you take away from his core learning. The 3 parts to a foundational education of excellence are:

A.) The Books: Arithmetic, Reading and Writing

B.)  Self-Education: Ability to teach one-self and discern what must be learned.

C.)  Mentoring: Honoring Values and Achieving Excellence

 

“Do not train children to learn by force or harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.” -Plato

Inspired to Action

1. Take the position of mentor rather than teacher, walking beside each other as partners rather than ruling over your children.
2. Allow space and time for trial and error, success and failure. Be fully supportive at all times and thrive in the safety of your home and love.
3. What events do you want to be involved in at the community level? Make sure and choose but don’t overload your schedule. Stay on point rather than spread thin.
4. Create a parent partnership with your children by walking beside them rather than ruling over them.
5. Keep in mind at all times you are not only educating your child until he is eighteen but rather building a person so that they can be sustainable throughout their whole life.

Be inspired to love more, live more and learn more.

What is your favorite way to keep living and learning inspiring? Please comment below…love to hear from you.

Are you tired, overwhelmed, experiencing burnout or know there’s an easier way? Trial and error can take a lot of time. If you would like a more systematic approach that includes the details to help you produce real change fast, I recommend joining the Mentor Mastery Inner Circle. It keeps you inspired and you receive coaching directly from Donna in the critical areas needed to successfully set up and execute a simple and effective homeschool providing every day, all the time rich learning while creating family harmony. It’s easy. It’s affordable. Get started today at www.aninspirededucation.com/inner-circle.html.

About Donna Vail  

Donna Vail is an education-parenting specialist, coach, mompreneur, homeschooling mother of six children, author and founder of An Inspired Education. She helps families create a lifestyle of true freedom by balancing education, work and life through self-education, entrepreneurship and inspiration. She is a highly sought after consultant for her successful guidance and resources that enable parents to let go of traditional parenting and education models, creating a lifestyle of learning where the whole family flourishes. You can find more of her resources at http://www.aninspirededucation.com

Letting Go of Micromanagement While Homeschooling

By Donna Vail

Over the years I have tried many productivity programs, scheduling manuals and attended how-to workshops on maximizing time. There are countless methods of course, some good, some not so good. One thing is certain, there are only 24 hours in a day and when you consider 8 hours or more should be spent sleeping, we only have 16 hours potentially available to use for productive time.

“The key is in not spending time, but in investing it.” –Stephen Covey

When the day is over we don’t get it back, no do-overs. Time is our most valuable asset especially with regard to our children. In order to honor them and provide an environment conducive to thriving and learning we need to let go of all habits in micromanagement.

What is micromanagement? It’s defined as management or control with excessive attention to minor details. While it is important to pay attention to detail, it is the excessive attention that we are concerned about. Instead of focusing on procedural trivia we should focus on performance, quality and results. This will require our flexibility in delegating and accepting a job well done rather than perfect (depending on age of child.)

Through the course of your day it will at times also mean letting go of the schedule to allow for character development, work through family issues, deal with illnesses and the unexpected. This will happen and it can be extremely frustrating when you are trying to meet the demands of the schedule you have created. Keep in mind at all times that your schedule is in place to create greater productivity and better results however, when working with children there will have to be a certain amount of letting go and at times of re-centering to create real family balance. This is when you will use your anchor times.

As you manage your life, your schedule will be your tool bringing balance to all areas that matter most.  There will be times that a willingness to let go will be to your benefit such as:

• If a situation suddenly takes your attention away from “schooling” temporarily, don’t give up on homeschooling all together but look for the greater lesson to be learned.
• If you need help with the younger children, remember you can incorporate the help of older children. It is a great lesson for children to learn from each other. Older children are great at helping with reading aloud, answering a math question or sharing a hands on how-to project.
• If you are faced with the arrival of a new baby, the need to help elderly parents or even the death of a loved one, don’t be afraid to take the time to process these life events. This is the stuff that life is made of and so much more can be learned from these moments in life than can never be found in a book.
• The beauty of homeschooling is in its flexibility it permits for your unique situation. You can create the schedule that works for you and your family. Embrace what works for you and your family and appreciate others for sharing the wisdom grown from their experiences.
• Keep in mind you can always tweak and adjust your schedule to best accommodate you and your family. How do you want it to flow? What do you want your day to look like? Let your schedule evolve along with you as you grow and change.
• Above all, be kind to yourself. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the meals, laundry, errands, providing, guiding, parenting and there’s always something to clean up. Make sure you have structured your environment that best serves you. Take time to replenish yourself and get it on the schedule regularly. Your family needs you to be at your best and you deserve to live feeling at your best.

What’s your favorite productivity program? How has it helped you manage your homeschool? Please share in a comment below.

About Donna Vail  

Donna Vail is an education-parenting specialist, coach, mompreneur, homeschooling mother of six children, author and founder of An Inspired Education. She helps families create a lifestyle of true freedom by balancing education, work and life through self-education, entrepreneurship and inspiration. She is a highly sought after consultant for her successful guidance and resources that enable parents to let go of traditional parenting and education models, creating a lifestyle of learning where the whole family flourishes. You can find more of her resources at http://www.aninspirededucation.com

Book: Kidpreneur –Genius Ways for Kids to Pay Their Way Through College by Dallas Crilley

Recommended by Donna Vail

A friend of mine saw on our local morning show a story about a 7-year-old-girl, Greer Gates of www.myjewelsofhope.com who was practicing what she learned from Kidpreneur, a book writeen by Dallas Criley. She makes and sells bracelets to raise money to cure cancer supporting a close family friend.

When I found out that the book Kidpreneur was written by a local 15 year-old I knew I had to get it. It’s an easy read with tons of fabulous stories and ideas. As soon as it arrived, my 13 year-old daughter read it from cover to cover in one sitting. She’s already started her list of 50 ways to make money and last I checked is up to 23. As her creative ideas are churning she already landed a cat sitting job. The book is suggested for 11 and up and I highly recommend it for all children. Imagine the difference in their lives if they begin college with entrepreneurial experience and money in the bank. It’s life changing.

Click here to get your copy of Kidpreneur

Have you got a favorite resource for entrepreneurship for kids? Please share in a comment below.

About Donna Vail  

Donna Vail is an education-parenting specialist, coach, mompreneur, homeschooling mother of six children, author and founder of An Inspired Education. She helps families create a lifestyle of true freedom by balancing education, work and life through self-education, entrepreneurship and inspiration. She is a highly sought after consultant for her successful guidance and resources that enable parents to let go of traditional parenting and education models, creating a lifestyle of learning where the whole family flourishes. You can find more of her resources at http://www.aninspirededucation.com

Be Inspired So You Have Inspiration to Give

By Donna Vail

Inspiration is not something we can force upon ourselves. It grabs us, we don’t grab it. Are you motivated or inspired? Being motivated is using resources outside of ourselves and exerting drive and ambition to make something we want happen. Inspiration is quite the opposite, grabbing a hold of us when we least expect it and carrying us to where we’re meant to go and what we’re meant to do, our life purpose.

Being motivated and pushing can begin to get stressful and feel yucky. We’re not acting in a natural state of being. When you set yourself up to receive inspiration you enter the flow and all the resistance falls away. You’re left with a feeling of contentment and joy. You’re amazed because everything grows into something greater than you ever imagined.

This can be the difference between a day filled with stress and a day filled with joy when you are working, parenting, and homeschooling. There are many great demands however our job is to filter through those and find what our focus needs to be on then let go of the rest.

One of Gandhi’s most illuminating observations was that “there is more to life than increasing its speed.” This is great advice for simplifying your life.

What can you do to attract inspiration? Keep practicing your daily habits that support living inspired, maintain an open mind and heart then allow for what shows up. Everything is always for the highest good of all, a lesson to improve, to Love More, Live More  and Learn More.

 
About Donna Vail  

Donna Vail is an education-parenting specialist, coach, mompreneur, homeschooling mother of six children, author and founder of An Inspired Education. She helps families create a lifestyle of true freedom by balancing education, work and life through self-education, entrepreneurship and inspiration. She is a highly sought after consultant for her successful guidance and resources that enable parents to let go of traditional parenting and education models, creating a lifestyle of learning where the whole family flourishes. You can find more of her resources at http://www.aninspirededucation.com