Just Put the Phone Down!
Do you find yourself running out of time to homeschool? Parents are busier than ever today, and children are too. Well, I discovered one surefire way to find more time in my day… just put the phone down! It sounds deceivingly simple, but it is not – for us nor for our kids, especially if those kids are in high school.
Cell phones ring, buzz, vibrate, ding, and send endless notifications that keep us ‘on call’ all day. If we’re not careful, our homeschool time dwindles away one click, scroll, text, call, post, purchase, screenshot, selfie, or email at a time. Life did not used to be this way. There were quiet, uninterrupted moments to teach, to talk, to think… to just breathe.
An Easy Fix to a Big Problem
Do you crave peace like that? Well, here’s an easy fix to a big problem today. Put your cell phone altogether out of sight. I’m talking about in a different room, on a different level of the house, or even in your car in your garage. Not all day – but for specific, planned times of the day – time you set aside to homeschool your children.
If your pulse is racing and you feel a tad shaky at this thought, this post is all the more for you because you especially will marvel at how much more time miraculously reveals itself!
Let Your Small Circle Know
Who is in your ‘small circle’? I bet not that many. My 86-year-old mom, my two sisters, my hubby, my three sons, my one brother-in-law, and depending on life – a doctor, a vet, one friend or a niece or a nephew in a given circumstance only. That’s about 10 people at most.
My small circle deserves to know I’m setting aside my phone a few hours at a time, a few times a day. Those in your small circle should get that, certainly if they care for you! No need to overexplain, just something like… Hey, just wanted to let you know – from 9 to 11 and 12 to 2 I’m staying off my phone to homeschool! Just leave me a message, and I’ll get back to you!
Be with the People You Are With
When you are on your phone, you are not with the people you are with. It seems obvious, but it is not. You can physically be 3 feet from your child, but miles away from them when you are on your phone. You are with the person, the video, the picture, the post, the game, the song, the ad, the business, the book, the purchase on your phone.
If you have been on the receiving end of this, you know what I mean. You do not feel “seen” much less “heard” when you are in the same room with a person who is constantly on their phone. Sure, snap a picture here or there. Show something to someone you’re with and talk and laugh about it together. But for 90% of the time – look into the person’s or child’s eyes and talk with them. Be WITH the people you are WITH!
Cat’s in the Cradle
Have you heard the song Cat’s in the Cradle? Take a listen if you haven’t, or just read the lyrics. Too busy on our phones to homeschool our kids? Too busy on our phones to talk to our kids? Or too busy on our phones to truly be with our kids?
