Thoughts from a Homeschool Mom

As a newfound (and sometimes reluctant) family doing school at home, there may be lots of information bombarding you on social media with minute-by-minute schedules, colored coded organizational plans, and 500 of the “must” see online educational tools. Many kids need and thrive on predictability and routines, but if you are finding yourself overwhelmed and stressed out by this new role, take a moment to read these thoughts from a seasoned homeschool mom:

As a (secularly!) homeschooling mom of nine years with two kiddos, I’d like to take this moment to offer loving support. It’s been interesting reading all the posts about having kids at home. It’s hard work to “school at home.” It’s not what homeschoolers do anyway; we don’t “do school at home” at all. It’s much different than that. So listen: Don’t try to teach school at home. Don’t.

You have a limited time of this being your life until the kids go back to school (unless you choose this for your future after all, which some sure could, and I’ll help with resources.)

Here’s some sage advice from a veteran:

Don’t worry. Don’t do lessons. They won’t fall behind. Do what the best parts of homeschooling are:

• Get up and make breakfast when your bodies say you’re well rested enough to get up.

• Have a family meeting while cuddled in PJs about what everyone wants to/needs to do that day and choose what can be done together or what members need help with.

• Play games together.

• Take walks.

• Talk about life and listen deeply to them. Don’t be the stoic parent. Share like they are your friends. They are.

• Don’t hide from feelings; these are crazy times. Truth and courage are reassuring.

• Cook together.

• Laugh together- watch whatever YouTube videos they’re watching and what video games they’re playing and be interested for a while.

• Show them what you’re doing at home. Invite them to help when they can/want to. Thank them if/when they do.

• Have them discover and learn about whatever interests them most. Buy them some online courses. Have them call experts in that field in your area and ask questions. Don’t tell them they can’t do anything, because with the right resources they can.

• Write letters to friends and relatives (wash your hands first and don’t lick the envelopes!)

• Make a mess.

• Snuggle.

• Tell them what you like about them at least once every couple days.

• Watch movies together.

• Read to them, even if they’re old enough to read on their own. Maybe they want to read to you, too.

• Take the dog for a walk.

• Ride scooters around the neighborhood.

• have a race in the yard Hor down the block.

You get the idea.

We are all stressed and thinking the worst. The truth is, we can have a really enriching time together even if things aren’t feeling great in so many ways.

Find the joy. Brush off the hard stuff. Be together and we will all learn more than we ever expected.