Notes From A Small (stay at home) Island: Day 2
Aka: everyday insights in a time of crisis.
Today has mostly been spent educating my kids.
But there’s no micro scheduled timetables, online education resources or Joe Wicks workouts here.
Oh no.
Today’s education has been as follows:
- How to pack the dishwasher
- How to unpack the dishwasher and put the stuff away
- How to wipe down the work surfaces
- How to tidy up after yourself
- How to make your own breakfast
- How to make a cup of tea
You get the drift!
Most of our life is lived in unconscious habits. We do the same things at the same time in the same way every day (which is why we’re all feeling it now, btw – but that’s for another day)
Researchers say that at least 45% of what we do is pure habit that requires no conscious input.
And, only two days in, I’ve been involuntarily catapulted out of autopilot and I’ve got to think about what I’m doing again.
It’s like driving with a gear stick again after having an automatic car.
And I’ve suddenly become much more aware of exactly how much I do for my kids.
Or rather, what I don’t make them do for themselves.
And it’s not helping them.
So, I’ve figured that if they come out of this time more independent, more able to do things for themselves, to self care and help around the house, then that’s just as important a part of their education as anything else.
Must go now, my cuppa’s arrived…….