Are you the parent, the teacher, or both? This is something many parents struggle with when choosing to homeschool. This list of Tips For Juggling Parenting While Homeschooling is ideal for helping you manage both at the same time. There is no need to fear to take on the role of teacher at all!
Tips For Juggling Parenting While Homeschooling
Keep household rules the same. There is no need to have separate rules for everyday life and during homeschool hours. Keep your household rules the same. Yes, you may take the time to have a dedicated homeschool space but that doesn’t mean you have to treat it like a different building with a whole new set of rules.
You are their parent foremost. Being a teacher and leader in the classroom will never change that. Don’t feel pressured into taking on a role of a strict teacher when your role with your child is nurturing.
Embrace your child’s educational needs, not your expectations. We have all read the blog posts from other homeschool families that make it seem like this idyllic situation. You start out thinking everything will be perfect. You’ll wake up on time, sit down with lesson plans, and your children will fly through learning easily.
Reality changes things. While there are many wonderful idyllic days ahead of you as a homeschool parent, it is not always the way things work. Being in a home classroom does not mean that your children will automatically always understand things. There will be struggles with education and learning. That is when you need to embrace your child’s actual educational needs and not just your expectations.
Pause and rethink lesson plans to better suit their individual needs. Try different methods of learning, or even take a break and come back to that lesson later when they are better equipped to understand. The joy of homeschooling is that when your child is struggling with a concept, you can change things until they understand.
Take breaks on a regular basis. When you start feeling overwhelmed, it’s time to take a break. Being responsible for your child’s education as well as their everyday needs is a lot to take on for most parents. You will find yourself overwhelmed and worried. This is normal. The solution, however, is to decompress and regroup for a better focus. How do you do that? Take breaks.
You can easily utilize a traditional school calendar and enjoy breaks at regular times just like other schools would. Another option is to simply set up regular breaks with other local homeschoolers by creating a group for field trips or a co-op situation where you share education responsibilities. This allows you to keep teaching, your children to keep learning, but still gives you a much needed mental break from the day to day stress.
Get a tutor if needed. There are going at least a few subjects you are not good at teaching. Even traditionally educated teachers with degrees in education struggle with some topics. There is absolutely no shame in admitting you need help with some subjects. The benefits far outweigh the frustrations along the way. Hiring a tutor can really help save your sanity and make it easier for you to juggle being a teacher and a parent at the same time.
These tips for juggling parenting while homeschooling makes it a lot easier to manage when you have great homeschooling groups and friends to support you along the way. Every homeschooling parent struggles at one point or another. Don’t get discouraged. The benefits far outweigh the frustrations along the way.
Author: Amber Louchart
Amber is the proud mother to four beautiful children, Damian (27), Rosaleigh (14), Carlyn (11), and Naomi (8). Her family also includes four cats. She loves being a stay-at-home mom and feels blessed to be able to care for her children full-time and provide them with so many opportunities through Metro Detroit Mommy. In addition to Metro Detroit Mommy, Amber has a passion for hosting karaoke with Malibu Entertainment. She enjoys the metro Detroit nightlife especially, singing, dancing and meeting new people.
Amber is the proud mother to four beautiful children, Damian (27), Rosaleigh (14), Carlyn (11), and Naomi (8). Her family also includes four cats.
She loves being a stay-at-home mom and feels blessed to be able to care for her children full-time and provide them with so many opportunities through Metro Detroit Mommy. In addition to Metro Detroit Mommy, Amber has a passion for hosting karaoke with Malibu Entertainment. She enjoys the metro Detroit nightlife especially, singing, dancing and meeting new people.
