Saturday, October 17, 2009

For Mom - By Request

How Do You Do It All? (#18)

As an experienced homeschool mom, the question I hear most from people is "How Do you do it all?" The answer, quite simply, is "I don't!" I have taken as my own motto this quote from St. Francis of Assisi: "Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible." There's a certain simplicity in this idea that keeps me from being completely overwhelmed with the demands of family life and home education.


It also connects with a helpful quote from Stephen Covey: "You [should] think effectiveness with people and efficiency with things... I see many parents...frustrated in their desire to accomplish a lot because all they seem to do is meet the needs of little children all day. Remember, frustration is a function of our expectations, and our expectations are often a reflection of the social mirror rather than our own values and priorities."

4 comments:

Margaret in Minnesota said...

I've been thinking a lot about the writings of Stephen Covey lately--about his four quadrants and where we're choosing to spend our time.

And you're right. We don't have to do it all! That's what children are for! ;)

Lovely post, Alicia.

Karen Edmisten said...

Great quotes, Alicia -- Covey's and St. Francis' and yours!

And, it reminds me of your terrific reminder: Age Quod Agis.

When I think "grounded" I think Love2Learn Mom ..... :)

love2learnmom said...

Aw thanks, guys. My mom got a huge kick out of me posting it here for her since she was having a hard time finding it on a different blog. ;)

It's funny too, because this is one of my radio spots and when I was at a marriage conference a few weeks ago I met a lady who liked them and said that that one in particular was just what she needed to hear.

momto5minnies said...

EXCELLENT QUOTES. I really do admire the words of Stephen Covey. I need to go back and re-read highly Effective Families. It always puts me in a better place.