If there is one thing I could stress to homeschoolers, or parents in general, it would be to enjoy the journey. Yes, parenting and homeschooling are highly demanding, but don't let the weightiness of importance turn this time into a burden. Here are a few easy tips to add joy back into your homeschool.
- Lighten Up - No I don't mean go on a diet, I mean lessen the school load. Before you start throwing tomatoes at me, hear me out. More doesn't always mean better. If you put too much on your child's academic plate, they aren't going to be able to digest it all. Sometimes it's better to leave them hungry for more, this gives them the opportunity to pursue interests and knowledge (just like they chase down snack foods after dinner).
- Stop Comparing - You are not Susie homemaker, or the Genius Baby Maker down the street, and your kids probably aren't Doogie Howser (google it). It's ok. I'll give you a startling revelation here....Susie homemaker shoves everything in the closet and under the bed right before you arrive at her house. And Genius Baby Maker? Well....just because her kids can spout off random facts and are fluent in Latin does not mean her kids are geniuses, it may just mean they are well programmed little robots, "Stepford Children" perhaps, (again, google it).
- Take Up Drinking - TEA y'all, I meant tea. Geez. Seriously, you would be surprised how much a pot of tea and some clearance rack cookies add to the well being of your homeschool. This little 15-30 minute little sanity break gives you and the kids an opportunity to unwind, chat and just enjoy each other's company. You'd be amazed at what you can learn about your child over a cup of tea, or cocoa, or coffee if you must.
- Get Dirty - Paint, craft, garden...do stuff that is not neat and tidy. It may seem trivial, but just allowing kids (and yourself) the liberty to do life outside the lines is so liberating. If you're a neat freak, take baby steps if you must, keep a stash of old shirts to use as smocks.
- Just Say No - This is HUGE! People will assume that "just because you're home all day" you're available at the drop of a hat. "No" is a complete sentence. You will, on occasion, run into someone who insists on an explanation to accompany "no". You do not have to indulge these people, however something like "I'm sorry, but homeschoolers are close kin to vampires and we can't be out in the sunlight" should suffice.
Excellent thoughts for ALL of us who are homeschooling! And drinking - tea - of course! LOL
ReplyDeleteI think we make things too hard on ourselves, or maybe I'm the only one like that? Tea fixes a world of problems though.
DeleteGreat tips! I especially agree with lightening the load. I always say they don't have to learn everything in one day.
ReplyDeleteIf I could go back that would be one of the biggest thing I'd do over, less academics and more fun.
DeleteThese are all so important and true! These days will fly by, and we need to make sure we enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteNow that my oldest is 13, I'm realizing that I don't have nearly enough time left with them....that was some fast moving 13 years!
DeleteOh brilliant! It so easy to get bogged down in it all. A great reminder to realise what a blessing it is to spend our days with our kids! My eldest is turning 15 and the end is coming much to fast for my liking.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you, mine turns 13 in 26 days (not that I'm counting) and I'm suddenly realizing she'll be grown soon!
Delete#5 - used to drive me nuts that people at church would think that the homeschool moms had all this time on our hands to go to this, that, and the other, and help out with everything. Ummm. NO. I had to be pretty clear about it before they finally got it. Learning to say No to good things that just would have been too much was harder, but also necessary.
ReplyDeleteLove your tips!
I've had to almost insult people, and I've stopped answering the phone during the school day too.
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