” An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Wise words from Benjamin Franklin, and they ring true when planning for the homeschool year.
It’s very common to charge into the new school year like gangbusters – then flame out after the first week. Why? Because school takes a lot of time, energy, patience (and a period of time for working out the kinks) – probably more than most would imagine.
A wise mom (that’s you, right?) will want to strategize in order to prevent confusion and burnout (see Ben Franklin’s words above).
Based on many years of experience, I can think of four suggestions that can help you remain cool, calm and able to make it through the school year without too many meltdowns😉.
Be realistic
Homeschool planning can be pretty darn fun and inspiring: a fresh new season, new books and SO many fantastic resources! Yay! But here’s the thing: most of that planning goes on inside your head. When the first week of school arrives, reality shows up in a big way. Whatever sweet, invigorating or clever scenario you had in your mind when you were planning might be quite different from what you are faced with each day in real time.
So when you are planning, try to be honest about yourself and your children (their actual abilities, behaviors and interests, your level of energy, how many books, charts, games and gizmos you’ll honestly use…and what type of learning you really want to spend your year involved in.) Avoiding burnout means building in plenty of time for the unexpected (e.g.curriculum not working, surprise visit from relatives, bad hair day) and approaching things in a way that is meaningful to you.This is your homeschool (not your friend’s or neighbor’s), so tailor it to your family’s style and needs. And remember to include extracurriculars (lessons, sports, youth group) in your plan because they consume time and energy, too.
Note: Once things get rolling, continue to be realistic: if things aren’t working, adjust! You can totally switch things up.
Find or create a support system
Homeschooling all by yourself can be really tough. It’s easy to feel overly responsible for every aspect of your children’s lives and self-doubt can take a toll. Do yourself a huge favor and find some homeschooling friends asap: online or in person. There are lots of Facebook groups (local and national) and it’s very likely that there is at least one homeschool group or co-op in your town. Seek fellowship in whatever way is most comfortable. Find a place to vent and ask questions in the midst of others who are also doing this homeschool thing. It can make allllll the difference.
Write out your true goals and keep them handy
What is your reason for homeschooling? What do you truly want to accomplish this year? Are your goals heavily academic or more in the realm of emotional health and behavior? Will you be working on family unity or spiritual growth? Think of the three very most important things that you hope will happen this school year, simplify these concepts and post them where you’ll see them every day. When things get tough or confusing, you’ll be able to look at your list, and get a reset on what really matters. There may be things you’ll need to drop. (Burnout occurs when you’re trying to do too much for prolonged periods of time.)
Delegate
Everyone home all of the time means the potential for many messes, lots of clutter and a variety of moods. But it also means extra hands for getting things done. Think about how household tasks can be divided and discern what can be outsourced.
A preemptive plan of shared household responsibilities will be a great lead-in to your next 10 months. If you try to do everything yourself, burnout is right around the corner.
So there you have it: be realistic about your situation, find support, know your goals and share the workload with your family. With these in place, you’ll have a great start for the long haul.
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