Feeling like it is getting hard to homeschool? Maybe it is time to revisit your homeschooling routine? Sometimes a simple adjustment in your schedule can make a world of difference...for your entire family!
Join us as we highlight 3 things to consider to get you back to happy homeschooling!
1. Flexibility
It often seems just as you figure out a routine that fits your family, it will work for a while and then need to be tweaked for some reason or another!
These changes can occur from year to year, season to season, or even from month to month, especially if an unexpected life event happens--a new baby, a new job, or a family member dealing with an illness.
It is sometimes hard to stray from the routine you have created--give yourself permission to be flexible enough to adjust when necessary.
2. School hours
Homeschooling should not take your entire day! You really won’t be spending the whole day working on school with your children.
In elementary school, typical instruction time might only be from one and a half to three hours. Middle schoolers might only need three to four hours of schooling, while high schoolers can typically wrap up their day in four to six hours.
Plus, remember the goal is to create independent learners! So as they get older, they should be tackling more of their day without you needing to guide them. (We aren't saying there won't be many, many teachable moments along the way...but there is light at the end of the tunnel!)
And remember for older students, you won’t have the extra homework hours that you usually have with public schools, which can leave time for enrichment, service, or employment opportunities.
3. Creative Scheduling
Have you considered a four day versus a five day school week (especially if you have elementary students)?
Doing school four days a week gives you an extra day to explore other topics, do more outdoor exploration, or catch up on lessons if something unexpected comes up earlier in the week.
Weekend schooling, sometimes due to a parent’s work from home hours, may be necessary in order to complete teacher-directed lessons on the weekend and more independent lessons during the week.
Often just a simple adjustment in your schedule can make your homeschooling days happier...for you and your entire family!
