It was one of THOSE days. I woke up feeling horrible. Homeschooling was not going well–every item of school work seemed to be a struggle. The youngest two were fighting. We were all in tears off and on all morning. By lunch time I had had it. I didn’t even want to see the inside of my house any longer, much less fix lunch.
“Everyone get your shoes on,” I yelled, “we’re going on a picnic for lunch!”
They were ready in a flash. I gathered up paper plates, napkins, water bottles, and lemonade packets and drove away. My kids think those little individual packets of lemonade that you pour into bottled water are SO special. I went through the Chick-fil-A drive-through, ordering only chicken and fries, and drove to a park we had never been to before. Oh, it was good to get outside! We laughed and had fun eating in the gentle breeze, and then the kids played and chased squirrels until I yelled it was time to go home.
We all felt better. We went home refreshed and happy. How much I would have missed out on if I had just kept pushing everyone to get things done. It still all eventually got done. Sometimes you’ve just got to get out and play!
I’m linked to Hip Homeschool Hop, Works For Me Wednesday, and Gratitueday.
Definitely good advice that when a day is going downhill to get out. Sometimes we just drop it all and take a nature walk. It’s amazing what an hour outside can do for the mindset!
That does look like fun! You’re right–sometimes a very simple inexpensive break works wonders.
Love those spontaneous outings! Have a playfilled week. 🙂
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! That’s what homeschooling is all about!!…Well sorta:) Can you see me jumping up and down!
Have a great day Esther!
Shari
Some days I need to remember this!
A bit of fresh air definitely resets my world!
Some days you just need to run and play 🙂
It does seem like some days you just get off to a bad start, and everyone…Mom included…feeds off each other. Sometimes you just need to break the bad thinking cycle and let your kids know you still love them! Great idea!
So true – I agree completely. My trip to Cape Town re-taught me that again too…
I love it! Giving yourself permission to take a break is so important when your children school in a home-base.
I would just call that the “Phy-Ed” part of the school day 🙂
Hi, Esther!
I found you through Gratituesday, where I also linked up. When your page pulled up, it caught my eye because I too have three girls and a baby boy! I’m sure you and I could be rich if we had a dollar for each comment “Finally got the boy!” – I’ll be back!
Great idea! I’ll file that away for some time I’m sure in the not-so-distant future. 🙂
picnics are so much fun when you have kids, I don’t right now, so don’t like picnics right now.
Great idea to turn attitudes around. I should do that more often.
I bet this is one of the best things about homeschooling: that if it’s not working, you can change it up even if it means taking a break for a picnic. Even in my public school classrooms, sometimes the kids and I just needed to get outside, but I didn’t always feel like I could. I’m glad you did!
Good choice! =)