Episode #8: Do We Deserve Joy? Unpacking Perspectives of Joy in Home Education

Do we deserve joy? That might sound like a strange question because smiling and happiness are very valued, but it seems we’re less comfortable with deep and ongoing joy. When people make choices that lead in the direction of less stress or more joy, sometimes questions arise. Life is supposed to be tough – who do people think they are living boldly and joyfully? Do we allow ourselves to fully feel joy? And what does this have to do with home education? Please join us as we think it through!   We Discuss: What the difference might be between happiness and joy How society places a high value on happiness, but is less comfortable with deep or ongoing joy. Maybe joy is seen as frivolous? That in fairytales, “Happily Ever After” equals resolution. We tend to think if things are resolved, we will be happy. How joy can still be present alongside difficulties and even inside the difficulties How anticipating difficult things later in the day or week can rob us of moments of joy with our children in the present if we’re not intentional The positive and powerful role of stress when there’s purpose and moderation  Lack of joy and stress as default – stress running under the surface as a norm in modern life and how we can notice joy as a way of staying present The role that school has played in us anticipating or accepting a lack of joy in regard to learning and even daily life Moving past the guilt of having a joyful life at home during school hours! The high school years as being an assumed time of high stress and lack of joy. How do we move past that? The joy of partnership and collaboration in self-directed learning  The link between gratitude and joy – cultivating an attitude of gratitude  Taking the time to say out loud that we are feeling more than one emotion at a time in the presence of our kids What brings each of our children joy individually and a concrete way of bringing more in for them  Prioritizing joy in our home and family life and building it into our week in regular ways – protecting time  Joy in and as self-care, and protecting mental health for adults and kids alike  Kids reminding us of joy and self-care. We’re models for them and then they are for us.  Whether there is a danger of feeling too much joy. Is it irresponsible?  The cycle of joy -when we’re joyful, perhaps it gives permission for others to be joyful.  Holding space for one child to be in a joyful period of time even as another child might be having a tough time Accepting that some days we just won’t have the energy to look for joy. Sometimes we’ll feel discomfort.   Resources: Living Joyfully podcast  Exploring Unschooling podcast : Episode 251 – Unschooling as a Lifestyle with Lucia Silva Stories of Unschooling Families Community  Brave Writer Poetry Teatime  Taking a Kinder Path: Joy Lists – A Home Education Essential