Morning Baskets Aren’t For Me…
“Morning baskets aren’t for me… are they?” That was my swift conclusion in the beginning overwhelm as a newbie homeschool mom.
“I’ll come back to see what that is all about once I get the reading, writing, and math in place… core subjects first so we can get started…”
My internal dialogue back at the beginning of homeschooling exposed so much of what I first misunderstood. I could rationalize skipping what everyone else was raving about, without even stopping to think why morning baskets are always a popular topic of discussion among homeschool moms.
Beyond the Basket
Now, I understand. When an experienced homeschool mom brings up the topic of morning baskets, they aren’t talking about the physical basket. Even though they may be talking about the physical resources, it goes beyond that. A morning basket isn’t just a physical resource; a morning basket is a decision to homeschool and not school at home.
You don’t even need a basket… or a pile of beautifully curated resources.
No wonder most new homeschool moms find this confusing…
A morning basket is a decision to start your day (or the portion of the day you homeschool) from rest rather than from restless striving. It’s about taking time to be present with your children and model for them how to approach your day with priorities in place.
For my family, that means starting our day with God. Sometimes, our basketful of time together before diving into our studies has looked like a messy stack of books on the couch and a prayer on our lips. Other times, it’s a Bible reading or my children picking a devotional. Some of our favorite moments together lacked books altogether and looked like my pregnant, swollen ankles trying to keep up with my kids for a praise and shout dance party.
Whatever it is for your family and for your day, the heart of a morning basket stays the same… taking time to be together and be with Jesus before diving into homeschool lessons. That’s really all it is for my family. You can dress it up or dress it down, but that’s what it can be for any Christian homeschool mom. Other moms have used morning baskets to have morning to do’s like handwriting or copying scripture. Perhaps that’s a layer to add as children get older, but for us copywork is part of our lessons and comes later in the day.
As an experienced homeschool mom, I now know that mornings started by diving right into studies usually end up being less productive and end in more distraction and tension than they need to. A morning basket can also be useful to set a daily rhythm with your children. It lets them know that homeschool lessons are starting, and can flow seamlessly into a family group study, read-aloud, or even pre-school songs to flashcards.
Taking the time to start our time together with God, it fills your homeschool mama cup so you have something to pour from. In that time together, it brings you and your children together and provides focus for the day. Jesus modeled this for us, taking time to spend time with God and pray in the morning in the first chapter of Mark. Before He went out to cast out demons, Jesus spent time along with the Father and prayed.
In John 15, we are reminded that apart from God, we can do nothing. Take time to abide in His presence with your children. Show them what a relationship with Jesus looks like in the day to day. It might just become the most important part of your homeschool and be the time you look forward to most.
Are morning baskets a required homeschool subject? No. Do they help provide a consistent routine that children subconsciously crave? Yes. Do they allow for memorable moments with your children that bring the joy back to homeschooling? Absolutely.
If you need inspiration, click here for my Peaceful Morning Basket Guide. It’s my gift to you and something I could have desperately used as a homeschool mom early on. May it be a blessing to you.
Do you already love morning baskets? Share your experience in the comments! I would love to hear from you!
Blessings,
Scripture
And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. -Mark 1:35-39 (ESV)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. -John 15:5 (ESV)
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. -Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
