Seven Things that Help When Homeschooling Gets Hard
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We all have bad homeschooling days sometimes. I've even had bad weeks, or bad months, and even some bad years. Now years later, it doesn't seem to matter that every homeschooling day wasn't rosy. Life is just not a bed of roses and neither is homeschooling. So we just have to expect that there will be those hard homeschooling times when nothing seems to be accomplished or when Mom is sick, when there is crisis in the family that must come before the school schedule, or when there is no time to "do school". When those times come, remember these seven tips to help you make the best of the situation:
1. Don’t give up. I truly believe a month or so of unproductive “schooltime” is better than being in public school for a whole year. Children continue to learn during these times.
2. Take time out. If you can’t handle things the way they are, take the pressure off for awhile. Do different types of things. For example, get outside more to enjoy nature, take walks, play music, dance, make things, bake together, play games, read aloud just for fun. All of these things are very beneficial and may be just what everyone needs to make the structured learning fresher.
3. Make a list of things that your older children can do independently. Let them work from this list when you are not able to be involved for awhile.
4. Spend time helping your children learn and do more chores. This will eventually ease your time crunch and is so GOOD for your children.
5. Rent educational films from the library.
6. Emphasize training of character, Bible teaching, prayer, and worship even at the expense of other subjects. Seek to instruct spiritually first and the academics will come along nicely after. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.” Don’t stress over the academics.
7. Talk to your husband (or close friend) about problems and enlist his help.
8. Adjust the school schedule to the needs of your family. The flexibility of learning at home is one of great merit. Feel free to make changes and adjust.
photo credit: juhansonin
Tagged with: homeschool burnout • homeschool help • homeschooling on autopilot • seven things that help when homeschooling gets hard
Filed under: Homeschool Tips
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Yes, homeschooling can presents challenges–especially for the parent. Burn-out is always a possibility. but, on the up side, wonderful memories can also be created. I remember my kids creating a huge map depicting the railroad that made its way across Canada. We used toothpicks and enjoyed it enormously. The hands-on activity made learning about the railroad so much more interesting.