Homeschooling Tips

Here are some tips I have found are very helpful to running a smooth, happy homeschool. I'm not an expert at them, but when I do them, homeschool life is so much better.

Limit Distractions!  Give your kids your full undivided attention. Set school time aside for this purpose. Silence your phone and put it in a different room. The second you get distracted, your kids will get distracted, wander off, and you'll have to fight them to come back (or give up altogether).

Don't Multi-Task! If you're trying to work on something else, you'll get angry and frustrated. Or maybe you just won't be as helpful as you should be. Or maybe you'll pawn them off to the tv. I've done all of these things. And the best way to stay away from this problem is by limiting the distractions in the first place.

Take Care of Yourself! Set time aside every day for yourself. Take a nap, workout, socialize... Do whatever it is that makes you happy and will help you keep your sanity. Maybe it's during nap time, or in the morning, or while your kids are watching tv. If mom isn't happy, no one is happy.

Connect! To others. You need to and your kids need to. Set up park days or beach days with other homeschool families so that you have people to swap ideas and commiserate with.

Let it Slide and Forgive Yourself! One bad day isn't gonna ruin everything. Sleep all day if you need to and let them watch tv. Then recommit to tomorrow.

Enjoy Them! They're only young and sweet and innocent for a short time. Right now they want to be right next to you constantly. Soon they won't want to be with you at all. Right now you are their hero. Soon they'll think you're their jailer.

Simplify! If school is taking too long, if your kids are fighting you over it, if it's ruining your relationship, if you're overwhelmed or losing your sanity... Cut out the stuff that doesn't really matter and focus on what really does! Reading, Writing, Math, and Religion. That's all that really matters. Once you regain your sanity and the health of your relationship, you can add the other things back in. Or they can learn them later.

Prioritize! Can you do it all? Really? Or can you hire a housecleaner, yard guy, or mother's helper? If you don't like to cook how about buying prepared frozen meals? Can your husband take on some of your previous responsibilities? Figure out what you want (and need) to spend your time on, and give up some of the other less-important duties. Don't be afraid to say No to people if you really can't fit that assignment into your life.

Seek Inspiration! Heavenly Father wants you to succeed and is waiting to help you figure out how. Raising, mothering, and schooling children is a holy calling. Have faith in yourself and in your ability to successfully educate the divine spirits that He has entrusted to your care.