Homeschooling is challenging. It’s not unusual for parents to have doubts at some point, and feel like quitting. There are five things you can do to stay motivated to homeschool.
Remember your why
One of the best ways to stay motivated to homeschool is to remember your why. Why did you embark on this journey in the first place? Why is homeschooling important to you? Rekindle your passion, values, and determination for homeschooling.
You can also do this by thinking about your alternatives. If you quit what would it be like to send your child to school? How would your lives be affected? Is that what you truly want? I’ve had plenty of doubts and times of frustration, but I value our simple, family-focused lifestyle that homeschooling brings. Thinking about my why helps me to keep going and look for other ways to stay motivated.
Find homeschool support
If you are feeling down about homeschooling, you might be isolating yourself or trying to go it alone. Make a friend with another homeschooling adult. Just one person can make all the difference when you’re having a rough day and need to talk.
Join online homeschool groups and participate in threads. There’s a camaraderie among parents in these groups. Other parents are often struggling with the same issues. When you post questions, others will offer help. And you can get satisfaction when you help others too.
Look for a local homeschool group where you can meet with other parents and your children can socialize with other kids of different ages. It breaks up your week to go to meetings and gives you an opportunity to relate to other adults who are doing what you’re doing.
Teach in ways that excite you
Another way to keep yourself motivated to homeschool is to teach in ways that excite you. If you love outdoor experiences take your kids on walks and do nature study. Teach a unit study if you prefer one theme at a time. If you like reading aloud, use a living books approach to subjects.
Don’t feel obligated to use a curriculum just because it has great reviews. If you don’t like it, then your kids will sense it. Then everyone will be miserable.
If there’s a subject you hate to teach, enlist the help of another family member, hire a tutor, or enroll your child in an online class. This year my in-laws are helping out with science and art. I get a break from teaching, and my children are getting quality time with their grandparents.
Pursue a hobby or interest
Make time for yourself by pursing a hobby or interest. Rekindle a love for knitting or join a local committee, for instance. Homeschooling takes a lot of your time, which can drain your emotional reserves. Making time for yourself by doing something outside of “school” is important for your well-being.
It’s easy to get bogged down with all the household responsibilities on top of homeschooling and neglect time for yourself. This summer I started taking twenty minutes each day to practice my flute. I’m much less irritable after playing!
Try new things
Before you’re tempted to give up homeschooling try new things. Is there a problem that you need to get to the root of? That problem could be what’s discouraging you. Problems might come up in areas of scheduling, behavior issues, and expectations.
Maybe you need to tweak your daily routine. Try doing math first while brains are fresh in the morning. If your kids get on each other’s nerves, try adding frequent recess breaks.
There could be a problem with expectations. Does your child need to do all the problems on the page if he showed he understood the concept? Change your expectations and see what happens.
Final Thoughts
Homeschooling has its ups and downs. If you’re starting to have doubts about your ability to keep it going or feel on the verge of quitting homeschooling, you’re not alone. Remember why you chose to homeschool, get the support you need, teach in ways that your bring you joy. Don’t forget to pursue your own interests and try new things when problems arise.
Here’s a final quote that is worth remembering, “Nothing worth doing is ever easy.”
