7 Ways to Prevent Homeschool Overwhelm
That Every New Homeschooler Needs to Know
You’re busy, I’m busy, let’s get to the point. There are some very real ways to prevent homeschool overwhelm, and if you’re a new homeschooler, you need to know them. If you’re a veteran homeschooler, consider this a friendly reminder.
Here is the short and sweet list of recommendations to prevent homeschool overwhelm:
Avoid Pinterest.
Everyone puts their best foot forward on pinterest, and while that isn’t a bad thing, it sets us up for overwhelm when we compare, or try to do. all. the. things. Don’t put yourself through that emotional torture.
Don’t do all the cool activities.
Unsocialized homeschoolers? Only if you try. Seriously, between library activities, park days, art classes, athletic classes, field trips, cooperatives, church events, summer camps, and any other number of homeschool extracurricular options, you literally have to make a conscious effort to stay home sometimes. Stay home sometimes.
Get your kids some chores.
They’re home all day using things, eating, and living. Get them pitching in as soon as possible or you just might lose your mind. BONUS: Their future spouse will thank you.
Schedule down time.
Plan specific times in your days or weeks to have nothing planned. I know it sounds like an oxymoron, because it’s planned, but just do it anyway.
Don’t feel responsible for keeping them entertained.
“I’m bored,” “I don’t like this,” and other such comments are interesting observations, but not your problem to fix. Teach them how to find a solution or a bright side as young as possible. It is your job to nuture, love, and teach them. Entertainment may happen while you’re loving, nurturing or teaching, but beyond that, put them in charge of fun. They’re good at it.
Plan. Then plan to change everything.
Homeschooling is a bit of an experiment in which we change variables in search of the best results. It takes time to find your groove in homeschooling. Do your best to plan an effective school experience… and then plan to change it.
Find support.
Look for the support that you need and use it. Preferably, find some real people who aren’t doing all the things on Pinterest.
What have I forgotten? What else do new homeschoolers need to know to prevent overwhelm? Leave your ideas in the comments… you just might save a homeschooler’s sanity!
Want support from other homeschoolers who avoid overwhelm? Come join our facebook group for minimalist homeschoolers.
I wrote a step-by-step guide to help homeschoolers plan an intentional education without overwhelm. I want your homeschool to have clarity, confidence, and excellence… not stress.
Wishing you all the simple things,
Zara
Hmmm… As a veteran homeschooler myself I have to disagree with a couple of them. First off, I love Pinterest and get great ideas there. I don’t do all (or most) of them but I find it extremely helpful and inspirational. I like to browse other homeschooler’s educational boards for the brilliant visual ideas though, not follow the modern pins that are just links to blog posts.
I also never regret doing the cool stuff. 🙂 We did a ton with our oldest and then got so busy with more kids and more life that the younger kids didn’t get to do as much. I’m remedying that this year, because I think I miss it as much as the kids do. Also, it gets harder and harder to find cool stuff for older homeschoolers — especially teens — so I’m working on finding more for my big kids who are still at home.
As for what I’d add, I would advise skipping the pre-made curricula for most subjects, especially in the early years. So much of it is completely unnecessary and can easily be learned through life and that “fun stuff.” 🙂 Subjects like reading, spelling, penmanship and basic math came naturally without lessons or curricula, as did all the early science stuff (through gardening, cooking, sewing, etc.). Handwriting and spelling improve quite naturally a few years after reading, but for a couple of years the kids’ skills there may alarm you. LOL Don’t worry, as it will work itself out soon enough and if they’re reading and writing a lot then they’ll still end up with excellent skills there. So many boxed curricula just create busy-work and a feeling of drudgery. Save the curricula for the things that are either over your head or not coming naturally after a few years.