7 Homeschool Tips for Hard Days Every Parent Needs
7 Homeschool Tips for Hard Days Every Parent Needs
Dear Homeschool Parent,
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worn out, or behind on your homeschooling plans, you’re not alone. Many homeschool moms hit those tough patches where motivation is low and energy is drained. This post offers 7 homeschool tips for hard days—simple, practical ideas to help you catch your breath, refocus, and keep going.
Why Homeschooling Can Feel Overwhelming
It’s that time of year when homeschooling parents start going a bit nuts. Kids have been sick and are bouncing off the walls to go outside. The house is messy; you haven’t done English in a week and just remembered you were going to teach art this year.
Starting 6 months ago.
Whining seems rampant and all your friends are more on top of “it” than you are.
Perhaps you are brand new to educating at home because of all the stuff going on healthwise and never intended to do this in the first place. You are seriously overwhelmed.
Take a deep breath.
You are not alone. What you are doing is important work! But, it is still work. If you are weary today, step back and lighten the load while you catch your breath.
Galatians 6:9 And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.
Tip 1: Start a Simple Homeschool Notebook to Track Progress
Grab a simple notebook. The best homeschooling tip I might have ever received was to start recording what we did do.
For example, list every activity and see what subject it might match up with. Chances are excellent you’ve accomplished more than you realized.
Tip 2: Use Educational Games to Boost Thinking Skills
There are tons of great learning games—check out all the ones from Aristoplay.
Tip 3: Take Nature Walks for Hands-On Science Learning
We had some of our best days when the kids were small doing this. Stop by the library, pick up a nature guide, and bring a sketchbook.
Have the kids draw what they see and try to identify it. If you live near parks, the beach, a slough, or the desert, they all have things of interest.
Kids love to stop and look closely—give them the time to do it. Science happens naturally. If the weather is poor, pull up pictures on Google, bring a sample from outside, and have them do it at the table. There is no wrong way.
Tip 4: Use Dance and Movement to Relieve Stress and Boredom
Dance! Movement is a great boredom buster and stress reliever. Put on the music and just dance.
Tip 5: Create Active Learning Games for Wiggle-Friendly Kids
Create active learning. I had wiggly children—one learned best by always having something to do with her hands and feet. By grabbing some index cards (like 50 cents for 100), there are tons of options. Young kids can help by gluing noodles to create math flashcards.
We used to do a math jumping game where each card was an equation. She would jump from answer to answer. Draw a hopscotch game and think up an addition/subtraction version. Create matching games. Your creativity is welcome in homeschooling! You know your child best, feel free to have FUN.
Tip 6: Read Aloud and Use Kinesthetic Tools to Engage Learners
Literature is useful for kids on many levels. Some days you can just read. If they are too antsy, use bubbles while reading. For my kinesthetic learner, we had special clay just for days she “had” to move.
Her hands were busy but her mind was alert. If you can’t read, put in a CD of radio theater. Adventures in Odyssey and Jonathan Park kept my kids amused for years. Even now they can tell you facts they picked up long ago.
Tip 7: Use Educational Movies for Needed Breaks and Learning Boosts
And when you just have nothing? Are you sick or tired or both? Educational movies can help for a time out. Remember Schoolhouse Rock?
You can buy the whole set for a good price. Classic PBS shows like Zoom, Magic School Bus, and Liberty’s Kids are very informative and challenge kids.
You Can Do This: Encouragement for Homeschool Parents
I reached the end of this road. I promise you, it does get easier. They do grow and learn. Today seems hard, but in the big picture, you will see the fruit of your labor.
And it is a beautiful thing.
You may think no one sees what you are doing or cares. You might have no support or help. But your work has tremendous value. I thank you and encourage you to press on.
Bonus Resources for Homeschooling with Grace and Fun
If you want to read my past posts on real-life homeschooling, [click here]. Need some great reads about homeschooling with grace? Check these out:
For your ease of use, I listed TONS of games my kids enjoyed. Links are included for what I could find. But do check for them used too!
Disclosure: I only recommend products I do/would use myself. This post contains affiliate links that at NO additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission to help support this blog.
