One of the best pieces of advice I have for families new to homeschooling is to be patient. It was likely a big change for you and your children; one you may not have fully made by choice. So many families are "crisis homeschooling" due to Covid and never imagined taking on the responsibility of home educating their children. That's ok. We've all been there -- just at the beginning with so many questions, uncertainties, and a deep fear of messing up. Homeschooling is a big shift for nearly everyone.
While some of you may be in a bit of a honeymoon phase where the kids are enjoying being untethered to all-day Zoom classes and exploring the outdoors while the weather holds, there will be rough days ahead. That's ok, too.
Homeschooling can be much like parenting; some days are wonderful and the kids thoroughly enjoy the material so much that they don't realize it was part of "schooling," and other days it's a victory just to get them fed and tucked in mostly on-time.
Any experienced homeschooling parent will admit they've been there. We've all had those difficult days when the kids don't want to do the lesson we thoughtfully prepared or the curriculum we selected isn't "working" anymore.
It's ok. Really.... It will be ok.
The tough days are when homeschooling really shines the brightest. Because we home educate our children, we can take a break when the kids need to get the wiggles out and then return to their work. We can take a random day off to do an unplanned field trip. We can review material to make sure our children understand a concept before moving ahead. We can change things up entirely and use different resources that explain the lesson in a different way.
No one has it all figured out immediately or develops the "perfect" home education plans on Day 1 or even in the first month. We've all had to shift gears, not just once, but likely again and again. It's ok. Our children grow and change, and so do we as homeschooling parents. It takes time.
If you haven't already done so, consider taking a little time to deschool. It can help you and your children change out of the "school at home" mindset and develop a plan that fits their educational needs and goals.
It's really all good. The tough days -- and you will have them -- are part of being human.
Focus on loving your children and supporting them in their home ed journey. Be patient with yourself and your children. You'll end up right where you all need to be.
Deep breath. You've got this.
By Michelle Levell
