Have you ever noticed that when you’re running late to an appointment or some important event everything else seems to go wrong. You can’t find your keys, you realize you need to fill up your car, there’s construction on the road, I mean it just goes on and on. The same can happen when homeschooling. You put off planning for a day or two, or maybe forget to printing some worksheets and then boom. Your whole week turns into chaos. And where does that leave you? Feeling overwhelmed and questioning if you can even do this. Well hun let me be the one to tell you that you can. All you need is to incorporate a few habits to set you up for success.
Plan to plan
Homeschooling looks different to everyone. So planning the whole year may not work for you, for a number of reasons. Even now, though many of us are at or nearing the halfway point can still implement a plan. Whether you do so for the month, or even week-by-week, this can help you to avoid unwanted surprises. Allow yourself time to prepare needed supplies, and outings will help you feel accomplished at the end of each day.
So use whatever works for you, from calendars, to planners, even just a lined paper with points to be checked off. The point of planning is to spend only as much time as doing so as absolutely necessary, and no more. A well planned homeschool frees you up to be a part of their day. Being present is a gift to both you and your kids.
Simply stunning
I have a bad habit of planning too much. I get excited about a section we’ll be learning and then quickly fall down the rabbit hole of crafts, worksheets, outings, etc. All my ideas would take months to complete when I’ve only got days. So start simple. Set what is the core of your lesson, and then include add ons that are optional. Optional being a keyword. Remember it’s OK to skip or revisit items at a later time.
I’ve been surprised that items I thought my girls would enjoy things they opted out of, while others that I believed would be a hard pass were the ones they flocked to. And keep in mind simple doesn’t have to be boring. Simple leaves room for the unexpected. When a study on insects leads to a backyard exploration. Or when reading Shakespeare turns into a performance. Planning simple is to help prevent overbooking while leaving room for fun.
Change of scener
Whether planned or spontaneous make time to get out. If you’re feeling trapped in your daily routine or have tried getting back to things after the holiday break, just imagine how your kids are feeling. Depending on where you live you may be limited on what’s open. But your time outdoors doesn’t have to be a big trip (though it could).
At parks, or hang out in your backyard. Call it P.E. if it helps you feel more constructive, but get some fresh air. From free play to teaching a new sport mix it up, and get involved. I know I like to stay on the side lines myself. Not only for the photo opportunities, but also so I don’t end up directing their play time. Yes, I can be that mom. But Other times I need to put down my planner and jump in too.
Take time off
As part of the planning section we discussed earlier, you should have a rough idea of days you’ll have off. For family vacations, holidays, maybe even birthdays. Those days are important to mark down as a reminder that a time of rest is just around the corner. I find this especially needed during this time of year. We’ve just finish sports and are wrapping up the holidays. Which I’m still trying to pack away. But between now and June we start to get lost in our studies, rarely coming up for air. Past experience has taught me that if I want to finish the year strong and with my sanity, I need to allow for sun/snow days.
Together is better
I am blessed to have girls that love being homeschooled. They are so independent that sometimes I feel like they only need me around to assign and correct their work. Which, I’m not going to lie, is a pretty awesome feeling. It’s taken us years to get here. But I still want us to spend quality time together during the week.
Board games and movies are always fun, but what makes it on our list everyday is reading together. We have devotionals during breakfast and our just for fun reading during lunch. Right now we’re going through the Anne of Green Gables series, and loving it. I find that books and food are the perfect combination. We can gather round the table or stretch out with pillows and blankets on the floor.
Your quality time can be spent doing anything that your family enjoys; cooking/baking, crafts, science experiments, music. The most important part isn’t what you’re doing, but that you’re doing it together.