Trouble Conjuring Your Homeschooling Mojo?

Double, Double Toil and Trouble? 3 Tips for Getting YOUR Mojo ON NOW!

These are anxious times. I hope you are well, taking care of yourselves, and finding a way to connect with people you love.

Do you ever lie awake at night counting all the ways you might be failing horribly at this gig? (I do!) Or stressing about whether you are ticking all the boxes and still have no color coded filing system? (yup!) Or how about trolling Facebook or Instagram to compare yourself to that one perfect homeschooling mom somewhere on a ranch in Alberta, Canada? (guilty!)

We've got BHAGG (Big Hairy Audacious Groovy Goals) as parents and caregivers who are facilitating and holding space for homeschooling: TO BE AND DO OUR BEST.  

This year I resolve to let go of the guilt and embrace the MOJO! Come along with me?

My Top 3 Mojo Makers:

1) SOAR WITH YOUR STRENGTHS- You know something that really helped in my homeschooling journey has been intentionally soaring with MY own personality preferences and strengths and also being intentional about how they intersect with my son's (and our differences).

Here's my fave that's less than $20--Clifton Strengths: https://store.gallup.com/p/en-us/10108/top-5-cliftonstrengths

What's it all about? Clifton Strengths are comprised of 34 themes that explain a simple but profound element of human behavior: what's right with people.

Individually, each theme gives you a way to describe what you naturally do best or what you might need help from others to accomplish.

My Top 5 Strengths (themes): 

Learner, Futuristic, Strategic, Maximizer, & Positivity

How do I use my Top 5 Strengths in Homeschooling?

Since a top theme for me is "LEARNER" it has been bliss to learn alongside Liam. All the things I never even thought I'd want to know about are fun for me: submarine depths, character studies of Goosebumps characters, the feeding habits of spiders. I like to think my own love of learning as a core strength is part of what fuels him to be one of the most curious, innovative children I've known (humble brag). 

Raising an out-of-the-box child and being responsible for his learning has also drawn heavily upon the intersection of FUTURISTIC and POSITIVITY. When I look at his future, this is not a person who is cut out for a 9-5 office job or one that involves a high level of interaction with the public. He IS wild about sharks, SCUBA diving and marine biology. Chances are his career of the future doesn't even exist yet. AND I can see how extensive exposure to aquariums, dive shops and actions for saving our oceans will lead to his most desired future. With homeschooling, we get to build his TODAY based on the future like "shark-month" versus "shark week." 

I am so grateful for POSITIVITY  in my DNA because with many of the neurodevelopmental challenges and especially 2020 pandemic changes, it has been a LIFELINE. Where it serves me to homeschool this child well is in having a firm belief that he is leading an important life of purpose.

I am an encouraging soul, breathing into his heart and spirit. We practice gratitude daily, concretely and I have bought every product from the Big Life Journal line, which are science based ways to build confident, happy kids. They also have freebies delivered to my inbox every single Friday.

2. CONTEMPLATIVE TOOL: I also love the Enneagram as a rather archetypal contemplative tool. 

Here's the link I used: https://tests.enneagraminstitute.com/ ($12). I have used the results report for journaling and looking at how to soar with my natural tendencies and also looked at the flipside of when my mojo gets stuck. Teaser time: more tasty tips and grand reveal in a subsequent post. 

3. MBTI FAN GIRL (MEYERS BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR): I am also an "ENFP." Bringing the Pinkie Pie Party vibe to homeschooling lol. I was trained in the Meyers Briggs (MBTI) in graduate school and it informs my approach as well, though it tends to be a little more complex. Any others using the MBTI for yourself or your kiddos?

The beauty in using all three is validation of themes across different lenses and slices too. Mojo lives here.

One thing is clear across the results of all three for me: I like fun! I love to make homeschooling FUN! If it's boring to ME, there is NO WAY I am asking Liam to try it. 

Adventure, creativity, belief in a bright future are strong elements based on my strengths and preferences. There's good reason WHY I will NEVER EVER be the Instagram mom with color coded files and a school room in her home that looks like Chip and Joanna Gaines "D-n-D"-ed it. 

It makes me realize too that I'm wired for bringing this sense of adventure and indomitable spirit even in our challenging mental health or medical days with Liam. It's in my Mojo DNA! 

When I homeschool based on "my mojo" I'm a happier mom with more energy . Friends, my hope is that you'll be able to intentionally create not only a more stimulating educational experience...also a LIFE-GIVING experience. 

So, what are you waiting for? Let's GO get YOUR MOJO!