Out Of My Comfort Zone

Recently I have been even more challenged (thanks to the many blogs out there) to get out of my comfort zone. 

You may wonder what I mean by this, permit me to explain a little:

Over 11 years ago I injured my back while at work as a nurse since then my life has completely altered, as you can imagine! I had been told not to have children because they were unsure how this would affect my back but I have been graciously entrusted with 3 lovely boys. 

There are physical things that I can not and will never be able to do with them like throw them in the air, roll around the floor, climb trees, do piggyback rides, play horse on my foot, teach them to ride a bike, go on bike rides with them, climb a mountain with them but I do try my best.

Unfortunately the chronic pain can leave me moody, the pain killers make me lethargic and life at time revolves around limiting how much I physically have to do so my pain is not exacerbated. So I choose things that don't involve much setting up, mess & cleaning because these would add to my physical work load. 

Underlying this is a control freak, perfectionist personality. Don't misunderstand when I say 'perfectionist', my house is not like a show home, the laundry is not always done and the dishes do pile up at the sink! What I mean is I follow instructions to the T and if I do a craft it must be picture perfect, the game must be played by the rules and so on.....

But.....

Combine all this and it could lead to a restricted and constrained learning experiences for my children. After all isn't one of the burdens of care when home educating to expose your children to as wide a variety of experiences so they can learn and not be as limited! 

So this week my challenge was to do 4 things with the children that were out of my comfort zone!

1. Played in the snow

I have a fear of falling on ice in the winter incase my back gives again but we had a great time playing in the snow in the garden throwing snow balls and even building a snowman (with the help of a dear friend). I think we used all the snow in the garden just to get a snowman (& his dog)!

2. Draw on the windows

I had got these special glass crayons ages ago but hadn't dared show them to the boys!

They had a brilliant time drawing all over the glass patio doors and it came off very easily with a damp cloth. So it wasn't as bad or as difficult to do as I had presumed! (One activity we will do again & again)

3. Bake

With it being Robert Burns Day tomorrow (Friday) we made some Scottish Shortbread.

I would not hesitate to say that the baking was one of the most difficult things to do with the children, normally it is Granny Helen who has the gift of doing baking with the boys but I'm pleased to say that it turned out hard work but delicious!

4. Acting the fool

The things you do for a 2 year old! Acting the fool is not something that comes easy to me and posting it here for all to see is even harder but Little Boy Blue got 2 Mr Potato Heads for Christmas and loves them and as you can see he loves 'being' Mr Potato Head (and making mummy be him too)!

What have am I learning in all this? It is good to let loose at times and enjoy being in the moment more!

Some stites to challenge and encourage you to get out of your comfort zone:

http://www.theimaginationtree.com/

http://www.dillydaliart.com/

http://nurturestore.co.uk/

http://aneverydaystory.wordpress.com/

http://childhood101.com/

http://learning.innerchildfun.com/

http://teaching2and3yearolds.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.inlieuofpreschool.com/

http://creativeconnectionsforkids.com/

http://www.learnwithplayathome.com/

I could add many more to this list and may link to other sites in the future but these are the ones that spring to mind at the moment.