We are well into the second half of the school year. Maybe you have started homeschooling for the first time this year. Maybe you have been educating your children at home for years. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned homeschooler, you have made it over the hump and are sailing into the next semester. Or not? You may be in a groove or you may feel somewhat stuck and things aren’t flowing quite as smoothly as you would have hoped. If you seem to have the hang of it, keep on going! However, if you have hit a snag, be cognizant of the issues at hand and determined to press on. No school is ever perfect. Instead of being frustrated, identify the issues and try to come up with some doable solutions to keep moving forward. Here are a few tips to keep you going.
Be aware of distractions. This is important to remember for a more productive day. When I was homeschooling, the phone would tend to ring around the time we would start school. It is so easy to pick up the phone and say, “I’ll just talk for a few minutes.” A half hour later, the kids are playing and nothing has been accomplished. There are so many other interruptions throughout the day. Even necessary distractions can disrupt the day: appointments, preparing food, taking care of children or animals. Decide ahead of time not to answer calls, texts, or other messages (unless emergency) until you have a break or are done with your school day. If possible, schedule as much as you can around your homeschool day. If you get behind, pick up where you left off and stay on course.
Get back to an organized routine. Have a framework and plan for your week. Doing so will make it easier to get back on track after distractions. For most of us, by mid-year things tend to get a little messy. Maybe it is time to declutter after the holidays. Have a place for your books and school supplies so you do not have to waste time finding items. If your children do worksheets independently, keep them in a specific place they can easily grab on their own. A habit like this help will avoid interruptions if you are working with other kids. As a homeschool mom, you will also need to continually prioritize your day. Just remember, you are wearing so many hats. Keeping sane means you need to choose what is more important sometimes—such as finishing the math lesson or teaching siblings the importance of forgiveness and love.
Beware of changing curriculum. Sometimes you realize halfway through the year the curriculum you picked at the beginning is not quite working the way you had planned. Instead of throwing in the towel, consider bringing in supplements or games to fill in the gaps. You can then reevaluate for the next school year. Use this time to recognize how your child learns and why a curriculum is not running smoothly. This will help you make wiser choices next year.
Be sensitive to your child’s individual preferences. One child might need a strict schedule while another needs more flexibility. And as the parent, you might also favor one preference. Being aware of this can help you make the necessary changes you need to alleviate frustration for everyone. This is one of the advantages of homeschooling. This is also a good way to let your children take some ownership in their education. Let an older child decide the order of their schedule. Students preferring more structure might get started earlier in the day then be ready to join the family for things you do together. If a child needs more breaks between subjects, allow for these in your schedule.
Remember the end goal. Do not forget the big picture of why you started homeschooling and try to revisit it often. This will keep you focused even if you feel you have unproductive days. Do not be too hard on yourself. Your children are learning much more than you realize. Continue to take one day at a time and enjoy the journey! ~ Gina
