The Long, Daunting Road of Homeschooling

Sometimes, homeschooling can seem like a long and daunting road. Though I would not trade our days at home for anything, some days are admittedly better than others. I have days when I feel like a squirrel, running from thing to thing to thing…

When I feel like my wheels are spinning, but we aren’t getting anywhere, I have to remind myself to take a breath and focus on the bigger picture. Several years ago, I read a book by a veteran homeschool mom who wrote about being in a certain season of life as a homeschool mom. She explained the importance of not trying to “do it all,” and to recognize the season of life you are in right now as a homeschooling mother—to realize that it is just a temporary, fleeting time.

5 things I have learned to help me stay encouraged in my thirteen years as a homeschool mom:

Scale back on things that take large chunks out of your schedule—give yourself permission to let some things go; don’t be afraid to say “no.” Enlist help where you need it, and delegate some chores.
Sometimes, simply purging old papers and books and re-organizing your school space can give you a fresh perspective. If something is not working, don’t be afraid to let it go. If necessary, pare down to the three R’s for a while. Alternately, adding in a fun elective can generate enthusiasm among you and your kids. Especially in the summer months, I love to add in things like art, music, nature study, foreign language, and even home economics.
Schedule some “teacher conference” time for yourself, and curl up with a good book, magazine, or even flip through a curriculum catalog. Attending a homeschool convention is also a wonderful source of encouragement and motivation.
Keep in touch with other homeschool moms. Even if your kids are older, a park day can do wonders for everyone’s attitude, and the mom-fellowship is often just what I need. If you are a new homeschool mom, seek out a mentor; if you are a veteran homeschool mom, offer encouragement to newbies. Plan some field trips, and invite other homeschool friends along. Getting out of the house, while still being able to get “school” done, is a nice change of pace.
Don’t compare where you are to where others are. Look at how far you have come. Flip back through your planner and look where you started. Encourage your kids and compliment them on all the hard work they have done. You aren’t behind. You’re right where you need to be!

I pray that you will be blessed and encouraged on your homeschool journey and hope that you will find some inspiration from my words.