With back to school season coming up on us I thought I’d share 5 tips that I’ve learned over the last almost two years of homeschooling. I mean if you count the end of the 2020 school year when schools closed. Cause I was winging life then and playing homeschool mom before I even knew it. I mean my hubby and I had always talked about homeschooling and considered it before our kids started school but it just never happened as the timing wasn’t right.
So since I’ve had a little bit of time under my belt. I mean we teach kids by just living life right. I thought these 5 tips would help any new or struggling homeschool mama out on how to keep things simple. I mean one of the benefits of homeschooling is it makes life a little bit easier and more relaxed.
Now onto those tips!
Don’t try to mimick a classroom setting or do what everyone else is doing
Back when my oldest was about 3 and my 2nd child was about 1 I would do what I called “tot school”. Because my kids were toddlers and not quite preschool age. I had always enjoyed playing school when I was younger so I really embraced it. I tried to plan out each day in it’s entirety and make or print all the things. I was trying to imitate how I remembered school being and very quickly got overwhelmed and ended up never really using any of the things.
So this is one of the most important things I think as a parent you need to not just keep in the back of your mind but also with anything you do as a homeschool parent. Don’t try to copy a school classroom… that’s kinda why your homeschooling for the most part, right?
You don’t need any fancy poster boards or wall calendars or anything you don’t want. You don’t need a classroom or designated space to learn. Just so life and learn along the way.
Allow room to just live life
This I think is one that I enjoy a ton. When my kids were in the local school where we live they had really long bus rides home. And I just felt like that time was wasted when we could spend it as a family. Or just being home. It was definitely way to long for their ages. So now we work on our own schedule.
If one of my kids wants to sleep a little later than the others or it vary from day to day. Then I’m going to let them. We don’t all need to be up at the exact time and they have the rest of their lives to live off an alarm clock. But for right now they are kids and I’m going to let them enjoy it. If they want to wear pajamas to school or costumes or whatever they want. It’s not going to be the end of the world in our home. They will be allowed to live and just live in the moments.
Follow yours child’s attention span
I have all boys so sitting still is not a strong suit in our home. So we try to keep all our lessons short. Short enough to where they don’t get overwhelmed with them. Because they will be doing it most days and I don’t want it to be a struggle for any of us.
So if I notice that one of my children are just not feeling it that day and it’s a nonstop struggle I’m going to follow their attention span and only get done what we can. It’s not the end of the world if we don’t check all the boxes. Because life isn’t about to do lists… it’s about doing what makes you happy.
Involve your children in the daily tasks
There’s no reason why homeschool and daily life can’t work together. They both teach our children. So instead of trying it seperate them and stress over accomplishing both each day. Involve your children into the daily tasks. Have them help with the chores around the house. All my kids have specific tasks they do and when we start up homeschool again this year. We took me time off to enjoy life. So maybe I’ll share a post about chores for kids that are age appropriate and work well with homeschool and life.
Change things that don’t work
Whenever you end up having something that everyone dreads or just doesn’t work. Change it up. There are no reasons in life that you should continue doing what isn’t working. So change it and keep changing it until it works for you. And if it never does then set it aside to try again at a later date. The benefits of homeschooling are that your in control. So embrace it and follow your heart, gut and kids!
I hope this was able to help you simplify your Homeschool Routine and help you embrace all That homeschool has to offer. It truly is a magical experience if you embrace it.
Until next time, Live a life you love!
Xo Jessica!