The Fourth "R"

Source: mollysabourin.typepad.com

Awww, the Advent season.

A time to slow down and savor the reason for the hope of Christmas, as we wait in eager anticipation of that day of celebration.

But, oh, how much more easily said than done!  There are gifts to buy and wrap, cards to mail out, cookies to bake, friends to see, and so many things to do!

In fact, even our homeschool can feel a bit frantic this time of year with our efforts to finish chapters, wrap up units, and turn in essays to complete the plans we had set out to do at the start of the semester.  At seasons like these, I like to pull out the time tested rule-of-thumb when trying to assess what really needs to get done: the "three R's."  You guessed it: reading, writing, and arithmetic.

But I was reminded in a fresh way this week that there is a fourth R that I must never leave out, especially in this yuletide season.

And what exactly is that fourth "R"?

Relationship.

Oh, how easy it is to overlook this "R," the MOST important "R" of all!

Because, as any homeschool veteran will tell you, the spelling words, chapter books, and math problems will come...in due time.

But it is the time spent cultivating these relationships that will truly bear the most fruit!  And isn't this a big reason we choose to homeschool in the first place?

So throughout the next few weeks, I am endeavoring to stop and truly ask myself: am I taking time to truly relish my relationship with my children?

Are we taking the time to snuggle in and watch a Christmas movie with a mug of hot cocoa, right-smack-dab in the middle of our usual school day?

Are we truly conversing with one another about our personal highs and lows of the day?

With these longer, cooler evenings, are we coming together to read some great books, just for the sheer pleasure of being together?

How about you, dear friend?  Even if you do not homeschool your children, are you making time to revel in your relationships and savor those quieter moments in the hustle-and-bustle of this holiday season?

Oh, may we not lose sight of this fourth "R" this holiday season, dear friend!  For I know that our homes and our homeschools will be truly blessed if we take this fourth "R" to heart!