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What to Do When Homeschooling Feels Like Too Much

May 2, 2017 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

I’ve been a homeschooling parent for almost nine years. More than that, I’m a homeschooling graduate. You’d think I’d have this stuff down by now.

But last week, it happened. I had an utter and complete homeschooling meltdown. My children were behaving horribly, I was behind on lesson planning, I was exhausted, and I was defeated. It literally felt like I was drowning.

Ever been there?

Homeschooling is a wonderful lifestyle for families. It gives us a lot more freedom, flexibility, and time with our kids. But it also takes a lot from us. And, after a while, it can feel draining, especially when things aren’t going so well.

Despite my years of practice, I still have times when homeschooling feels like too much to handle. Yet, here I am, back on track and still homeschooling. Here’s how I keep going, even when I’m ready to give up on homeschooling.

Are you an overwhelmed homeschooler Trust me, I get it. Here's what I do when homeschooling feels like too much to handle.

Image c/o: Jaykayl / depositphotos

What to Do When Homeschooling Feels Like Too Much

First: Remind yourself it’s okay to feel overwhelmed.

Sometimes homeschooling parents, moms in particular, get exhausted and frustrated and then feel guilty about feeling that way. Once we get onto that carousel of emotional guilt, it’s very, very hard to get off. The days begin with super high expectations and then end with a crash when lessons don’t get completed or children don’t behave.

It’s perfectly okay to feel like this. Parenting is hard. Teaching children is hard. (Don’t believe me? Ask a public school teacher!)

Take a breath, acknowledge how you honestly feel, and then give yourself grace for experiencing a normal human emotion.

Second: Focus on the now.

A few months back, I heard an actor do a quick mental meditation exercise on television. He said “Focus on this moment you have right now. This moment now is the only one that matters.”

And, really, he was right. As parents, we can start to think so much about our children’s future that we bury ourselves in a sea of worries.

What if my children don’t pass their tests?

What if they have to repeat a grade?

What if homeschooling turns out to be a huge mistake?

What if they hate me for insisting on teaching them at home?

NO ONE can life a happy life while carrying that kind of mental and emotional weight, and you shouldn’t attempt to be the first.

When you’re overwhelmed, think about the moment you’re in. Are your children healthy? Are they (relatively) happy? Do you have the things you truly need? Then, for this moment, you and your family are fine. Make yourself stop and appreciate the security of it.

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Third: Throw yourself a lifesaver.

There are many, many situations we face in which we have little to no control. Homeschooling, generally, is not one of them. We have plenty of say-so in how we teach our children, what curriculum we use, and which homeschooling method we implement. Use that authority to make homeschooling work for you!

Are you exhausted from planning lessons? Use prepared unit studies to make planning less strenuous. Do you despise teaching math? Try Khan Academy as a stand-in math teacher. Do you feel lonely spending all day with the kids? Get them out of the house (and yourself around some other adults) by attending library storytimes, local museum events, and more!

You are absolutely not tied to any homeschooling curriculum, method, or schedule, no matter how much money or time you’ve invested in it. When you feel like you’re drowning, throw yourself a homeschool lifesaver and float for a while instead of trying to swim on your own.

When Homeschooling Feels Like Too Much

How do you manage your emotions when homeschooling feels like too much? What do you do to get yourself back on track and recommit to teaching your children at home? Share your tried-and-true tips in the comments!

Be sure to read some of my other homeschooling support posts!

Think that you're too busy to homeschool You might not be! Homeschooling is a lot more flexible than it seems.

How to Keep a Homeschool Tantrum from Derailing Your School Day

How to Homeschool in Five Hours a Week

And see even more tips for homeschooling successfully on my Homeschool Tips Pinterest board!

Filed Under: Homeschooling, Homeschooling Encouragement Tagged With: homeschooling, homeschooling feels like too much, homeschooling support, overwhelmed homeschooler, overwhelmed parent, when homeschooling feels like too much

10 Homeschooling Gifts I’ll Never Take for Granted Again

August 10, 2015 by Selena Robinson 10 Comments

Last year, I went through a serious case of homeschooling burnout. I was working, I was going to college full-time, and I was attempting to homeschool my three oldest children. And it was not going well.

I sent them to public school for a few months, but even though I appreciated the slight increase in “alone time“, I missed them terribly. And I found that I actually missed homeschooling.

Now that we’ve returned to homeschooling, I’m determined to have a more thankful attitude toward our learning this year by appreciating the homeschooling gifts our family enjoys by being together. Here are 10 of the homeschooling gifts that I missed and vow to never take for granted again.

10 Homeschooling Gifts

Image: beerphotographer / Dollar Photo Club

10 Homeschooling Gifts I’ll Never Take for Granted Again

1. Preparing breakfast with my children

2. Making artwork together

3. Playing outside with my kids

4. Sharing a new story as a family

5. Taking a homeschool field trip

6. Listening to my children talk about what they learned

7. Watching all four of the kids read quietly

8. Helping my daughter (who hates math) master a new math concept

9. Seeing my kids get excited about choosing books at the library

10. Hearing one of my children say “Thank you” when we finish the school day

What homeschooling gifts are you thankful for? Share them in the comments!

And let me just add an update here – There are a few more homeschooling gifts that I’ve grown to treasure:

11. Watching my children support each other in a tough subject

12. Being there when they have questions or fears about learning something new

13. Waking up when we feel like it and beginning the day relaxed

14. Taking a vacation whenever we’re ready for one

15. Observing my kids grow into young adulthood with confidence

Homeschooling Gifts I'll Never Take for Granted Again - Look! We're Learning!

Need more parenting encouragement? Don’t miss these posts!

5 Ways to Show Love to Your Defiant Child - Look! We're Learning!

How to Homeschool in Five Hours a Week

How to Keep a Homeschool Tantrum from Derailing Your School Day - Look! We're Learning!

This post is part of the Homeschool Gifts linkup from iHomeschool Network! Click over to read what our fellow homeschooling bloggers are thankful for this year!

Homeschool Gifts

Need more ways to plan your homeschool this year? Check out my Homeschool Planning board on Pinterest!


Filed Under: Homeschooling, Homeschooling Encouragement Tagged With: homeschooling, homeschooling support, homeschooling tips, motherhood, parenting

Hi! I'm Selena, a teacher and a veteran homeschool mom to four. I'm so glad you're here!
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