October 2023 - A Brave Writer's Life in Brief A Brave Writer's Life in Brief
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A Brave Writer's Life in Brief

Thoughts from my home to yours

Archive for October, 2023

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Brave Writer Precept #4: Plan Ahead and from Behind

Brave Writer Precept

The fourth Brave Writer precept is: We plan ahead or we plan from behind, whichever serves in the moment.

The bane of everyone’s existence is PLANNING.

Which are you?

Team Plan Ahead—you don’t feel able to begin until you know exactly what’s coming next. You can deviate from the plan, but you must have a plan to start or you feel discombobulated (that’s a weird word to spell!).

Team Plan from Behind—you get inspired by an idea and run with it, then later give yourself credit on your calendar, in your planner, or via assessment tool.

For me, ever the unpredictable personality type, I toggled between these two. When my world got weedy and overgrown, planning ahead reminded me I would eventually get to everything.

Once the plan became a tedious drudge, I’d break free and follow a wild, inspired idea. But since the new idea wasn’t ON THE PLAN, I had a hard time giving myself credit for the brilliance that followed.

One day I realized: IT ALL COUNTS.

Every bit of it counts: the pre-planned and the post-planned activities and inspirations and habits.

It’s okay to plan ahead: peaceful vision of my future.

It’s good to plan from behind: giving myself credit for the good things that happen that never make it to the calendar in advance.

Today’s precept liberates you to both provide a little structure and to fly free of it when needed. The balance between the two will match your personality, so let your planning style flag fly!


Brave Writer’s 12 Precepts


Brave Learner Home

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Friday Freewrite: “Spoopy”

Friday Freewrite

The word, “spoopy,” is a slang term for something that’s supposed to be “spooky” but is actually cute or funny. Write about a puppy or kitten (or any animal) who is trying to be spooky but keeps being spoopy instead.

New to freewriting? Check out our online guide.

Tags: Writing prompts
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[Podcast #208] The Emotional Impact of Divorce – Part One

Brave Writer Podcast

On today’s Brave Writer podcast, we dive into the emotional aspect of divorce, especially its impact on children.

From my personal experience as a child of divorce and later, as a divorced woman, I hope to shed light on finding stability post-divorce. A friend once encouraged me during my tough times saying, “Julie, keep going. We have cookies on the other side.” This simple phrase became a beacon of hope, suggesting a promising life post-divorce.

In this episode (part one of two), we’ll discuss the emotional layers of divorce to better understand and support those going through it, whether you’re directly affected or know someone who is.

Show Notes

Considering the Emotional Toll on Children

Divorce can be hard, especially for children caught in the middle. My own journey through divorce, filled with concern for my children, led me to Elizabeth Marquardt’s book, “Between Two Worlds: The Inner Lives of Children of Divorce”. It helped during those challenging times. Today, we’ll discuss the emotional dilemmas surrounding divorce decisions and its impact on family dynamics, with a focus on the emotional burden on children.

Impacts of Divorce

Divorce changes the lives of everyone involved in a number of ways. Let’s look at some aspects of life that take a toll, for better or worse:

  • Concept of Home: The idea of ‘home’ changes post-divorce. My experience of setting up a new home with my mother post-divorce was a mix of challenges and discoveries. Judith Wallerstein’s study highlights the disrupted sense of home for children, a theme echoed in “Between Two Worlds”. The change in the concept of ‘home’ post-divorce can be unsettling but also opens doors for self-discovery and empowerment.
  • Loss of Family Narratives: Divorce often leads to a rewriting of family stories. This change extends to economic aspects too, sometimes requiring lifestyle adjustments. Despite the financial changes, maintaining some financial consistency can help cushion the emotional impact for children.
  • Homeschooling Challenges in the Context of Divorce: Divorce also affects homeschooling dynamics, sometimes turning it into a point of conflict in family discussions. However, changes in schooling can also lead to enriching experiences, as seen in my family’s transition from homeschooling to public schooling post-divorce.
  • Religious Values and Divorce: Divorce may also affect religious values, especially in devout families, raising questions in young minds. Today’s discussion, enriched by insights from the book “Raising Critical Thinkers”, explores how nurturing curiosity and understanding can help navigate these complex issues.
  • Positive Aspects of Change: Change, although stemming from challenging circumstances, can lead to growth and new experiences. Today’s episode explores how embracing these changes can foster understanding and exploration for both adults and children.

Navigating Divorce and its Impacts on Families

Exploring the impacts of divorce requires deep thought, especially on its effects on the most vulnerable family members. Today, we’ll discuss resources and insights to aid in this journey, emphasizing the importance of individual counseling and informed decision-making. Through the tough times, clarity will eventually emerge, guiding the way to firm decisions and, eventually, to new beginnings.

Our discussion today aims not just to explore the emotional challenges of divorce, but also to extend understanding and support for those going through it. Whether you are touched by divorce or supporting someone who is, today’s episode aims to provide empathy and insight.

Resources

  • Read: Between Two Worlds by Elizabeth Marquardt
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Produced by NOVA Media

Brave Writer Podcast

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Brave Writer Precept #3: Our Practice is Flexible

Brave Writer Precept

The third Brave Writer precept is: Our practice is flexible—guided by a child’s curiosity, a parent’s broader knowledge of the world, and the unique opportunities that come our way.

When I thought about what creates momemtum in a home oriented to learning, I realized there were core principles that are common to the families that are experiencing the most joy and peace. I’ve written them into 12 Precepts (a nod to the 12 steps).

Take a look at past precepts here.

Our kids have an insatiable curiosity as they come into the world. They can’t know all the possibilities that await them. That’s where your bigger view helps expand their world! Create the richness that keeps their curiosity blooming with things like:

  • Quality books
  • Introductions to experts (like astronomers or guitar players or farmers)
  • Excursions to historic sites

And thinking of good books, we’ve got a slew of ideas to guide you in our literature handbooks. This is a completely original program meant to create a vibrant leaning experience for you and your kids.

Here’s to expanding your child’s curiosity with your broader knowledge of the world!


Brave Writer’s 12 Precepts


Brave Learner Home

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[Webinar] Self-Regulation Skills for Neurodiverse Learners

Brave Learner Home

You’ve asked us for a webinar to help you homeschool your neurodiverse kids.

You want fewer tears and more peace.

You want strategies that help unlock learning for these precious souls.

We’re bringing experts in to help you!

I invited my good friend, Josh MacNeill, and his colleague, Alexandra Murtaugh of InMind Services to help parents learn how to build self-regulation skills in their neurodiverse kids. We’ll take your questions too!

You’re invited to join Julie, Josh, and Alexandra, even if you aren’t a Brave Learner Home member.

Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern / 4:00 PM Pacific

Purchase a seat for only $15.00 (Brave Learner Home members get in FREE).

NOTE: There are ONLY 500 seats available, so be sure to sign up now. 

Replays for the main webinar content will be available for anyone who registers! 

Once you purchase a seat, the webinar registration link will be emailed to you in a PDF download. Look for an email under separate cover from the receipt. Click on the registration link and enter the email address you used to register. You’ll then receive reminder notifications for the webinar itself.

Can’t wait to see you there!

REGISTER

Brave Learner Home

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