The Self-Fulfilling Prophesy in Homeschooling
In 2014, I wrote my book, Joyful Homeschooling: They Key to Successful Homeschooling. What excited me most about the project was the opportunity it provided to reflect on all my years of homeschooling my children, and the chance to share what I’d learned with you.
During the months ahead, I look forward to sharing some of the ideas explored in Joyful Homeschooling with you here in my newsletter. Let me show you the ways cultivating an attitude of joy and flow can infuse your homeschool with enriched fun and learning.
Let’s begin with a look at self-fulfilling prophesies. Most of us have, at one point or another, said something like, “I knew I would fail. I knew it wouldn’t work out. I knew I wouldn’t get that great job.” Our beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes are interconnected and lead to our experiencing the things we most expect to experience
As parents and home educators, we want to cultivate an atmosphere in which our kids are exposed regularly to messages of positivity.
- “I can do anything I set my mind to.”
- “I have a green thumb.”
- “I’m good with people, especially small children.”
- “When something is difficult, I keep trying until I get it.”
- “People like me.”
- “Things usually work out, but when they don’t I’m OK.”
Exposure to positivity makes it more likely that our kids will develop their own positive expectations and enjoy a lifetime of self-fulfilling prophesies of success, contentment, and joy.
Children internalize the behaviors that are modeled for them. So today, reflect on this single question. “How do you present your homeschooling journey?” Do you ever refer to a new task as “boring” or “really difficult?” This is an example of a self-actualizing prophesy, and one that your children will absorb as their own. What does your face look like when you are struggling to teach new concepts? Do you appear frustrated? Put out? Your kids will notice.
The use of affirmations can leverage the power of self-fulfilling prophesy. Affirmations are positive statements about yourself that you write down and say aloud each day. For example, “My days are fun, productive and filled with delightful surprises.” Affirmations become beliefs that strongly influence the way your days unfold.
Gratitude is a powerful tool that I use to help set positive self-predictions. When you are in the car today, or in line at the grocery store, think about the things that you are grateful for. Write these down if you like, but most importantly reflect on them. Remember it can be big stuff or small. Every bit of it matters.
- I’m grateful for this weather. I will take a walk today.
- I’m grateful someone else unloaded the dishwasher so that I can read a story with my youngest child instead.
- I’m grateful for my health, and I am grateful for those surrounding me. I will not be alone when I become sick.
- I’m grateful for my kids and the opportunity I have to homeschool them.
As you go about your work this month, consider the ways your negative and positive thinking is influencing your homechooling. Make adjustments as needed. Keep your eye on joy, flow, and positivity, and have fun!
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