Living with a dog, five cats, chickens, and bees may seem like a lot of distraction, but it has brought invaluable learning experiences to my family’s life. This morning was a perfect example: one of our cats climbed onto the bookshelf, fell into a gap, and got stuck, crying terribly. Our homeschooling plans were disrupted as my kids sprang into action, determined to rescue the cat as quickly as possible. They worked together, taking out all the books from the shelf, and used a screwdriver to detach the top shelf. When that didn’t work, they came up with an even more creative solution – lowering a bag on strings to coax the kitty into it with a treat and then pulling it up. The rescue mission was a success, and everyone’s morning mood was lifted when they held the cat safely in their arms.

Instead of stressing about distractions, we should embrace them. As a former school teacher, I know that distractions are just as common in the classroom as they are at home. It’s important to remember that the big picture of life will always have distractions, and it’s essential to come up with creative ideas to overcome them. We tend to think that every hour of the day should be dedicated to formal lessons, forgetting that learning also happens when we face real-life challenges and work together to find solutions. So, when distractions arise, take a deep breath, relax, and accept them as part of life’s journey.