Simplicity

I don't believe a woman has to be some sort of multitasking, micromanaging super woman to maintain a happy homeschool and a beautiful, orderly home and family. I am certainly NOT a multitasker. Just ask my kids. They tease me about not being able to carry on a conversation and cook at the same time. My husband however, is amazing in this area. He can Skype someone on the phone, write out business invoices, translate a medical document, text someone in Turkey via Messenger and have ten other windows open on his computer at once and manage just fine. His desk looks a mess but he knows where each item is located and can pull it up in a flash-- and he's never paid a bill late. I wish I could accomplish such feats, but God didn't wire me that way. So I have to keep things real simple and straightforward in order to be a good homemaker and teacher. Here are some decisions I've made that have helped me in this area.

I don't keep elaborate lists. I make simple lists until the habits have been established, but eventually we don't need them anymore because it becomes instinctive. Keeping an elaborate home or school system can eat away one's time. You want to get to a point where the family can function well without a list telling you what to do. If you are not currently organized, then by all means, use some lists, but as you remain faithful in following them, you will find that you don't depend so much upon them anymore because the routines have been established and they have become second nature. You want to be able to make a gourmet meal on the spur of the moment out of nothing but wilted veggies and a few odds and ends in the fridge. There's much freedom in this.

I refrain from buying and keeping many things-- even inexpensive 'sale' items because I don't want to fill up my home with that which must be maintained. The more I own, the more I become a slave to it. I love to make my home beautiful and do what I can with what I have but I keep it clutter free with lots of space. It also helps to keep the children's clothing limited to only what they need. This has saved me so much time and money. Children don't need many toys either, as long as you are feeding their imaginations. I try to do my shopping once a week. I find that if I stay away from stores and catalogs, I don't feel I need as many things. I'm much more content with what I have.

We eat sensibly. It's important to me that my family eat healthy meals. But there's a danger even in eating too healthy. I know some folks who have allowed themselves to become consumed with eating a certain way. This not only takes much time and money but it limits the family's relationships with others because they only eat a certain kind of food. That is not how God's kingdom works. We are to 'become all things to all men.'

I stay home as much as possible. Mothers today receive so much pressure from our society to run here and there in order to be a good mom-- play groups, coops, our dear children's sports events, music lessons and recitals and... the list goes on and on. It's not that these things are bad, there's just too much in our lives. Knowing what to cut out requires wisdom and resolve. Because I have chosen to stay home a lot, I have learned to manage a home well. I have time to experiment with food and become a confident cook. I can be creative and decorate with what I have on hand. I spend less money and I can enjoy a clean home, too. I have gradually learned the art of hospitality so that our home CAN be open often to visitors. I think it is very important that mothers keep in mind that the goal of staying home is to be able to reach out to others--beginning with our children, but not ending there.

There is so much freedom, peace and joy when you choose to simplify some areas of your life. If you have any suggestions to contribute please share them with us.

one step at a time...