The Truth About Flexibility | In Due Season Volume 1.16

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I have been blessed with an easy going personality. I have often left the house with 3 diapers and a wipes package and filled the hours with various free ways to entertain seven small children. Being flexible comes more naturally to me and with ten children, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t thank God for it. But, don’t get me wrong, there are times when I want my way. I want it now, like the Willie Wonka candy-gobbling Blueberry girl. Now!

There are times when homeschooling feels like all the decisions need to be made now. What classes, what subjects, what curriculum and what format? The list can be never ending and overwhelming and sometimes times I feel the Blueberry girl from Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory is breathing down my neck. Now, now, now. Everyone need answers, now. My child wants changes, now. I want results, now.

Sometimes our brain mis-labels flexibility. It will tell us that we are quitting, being flakey, wishy-washy, noncommittal or irresponsible. Being flexible is not those things. The wisest parents I know are ones willing to stop when something is not working. They ask advice of others. They weigh out the options while still being open to input. As parents the hardest part of homeschooling is often the volume of decision making.

Doing the very best thing for our family can mean changing course in the face of opposition, risking offense, or the very real pain of monetary loss. Though these are difficult, they are changes are made by wise, brave and strong parents who are willing to endure the temporary pain to have a better schooling experience. Don’t be too quick to confuse flexibility for quitting. I invite you to see flexibility as a valuable tool for your homeschool and use it to create the very best outcome for your children.