Have you ever felt like you were falling behind in homeschooling? Maybe you feel that way right now. Let’s take a look at some reasons why you might think you are dropping the ball on your child’s education. And hopefully you’ll find some encouragement as well.
4 Reasons You Might Feel Like You’re Falling Behind
- You are moving at your child’s own pace.
- You’re trying to do too much.
- Life circumstances have slowed you down.
- Disorganization has gotten the best of you.
Moving at Your Child’s Own Pace
If you purchase a curriculum with the mindset that your child will get from cover to cover in the course of a year then you will quickly feel behind. Completing a curriculum isn’t important. Instead, focus on what your child is learning.
Moving at your child’s own pace is more beneficial than hurrying through a textbook just to complete it. If you are feeling behind because your child isn’t keeping up with the lesson plans, don’t worry! You are doing the right thing by progressing at a pace that fits your child’s abilities.
You’re Doing Too Much
Many homeschool moms worry about gaps in their child’s education. I know I have. The solution for many moms is supplementing with additional curriculum or forcing a child to do every single assignment no matter how monotonous. Can you relate?
If you are finding it hard to keep up with your lesson plans then you might be doing too much. Look over your curriculum and see what you can cut out. It helps to ask your husband or another homeschool mom for input.
Once you have lightened your load, you should find it easier to stay on track and get things done.
Life Is Happening
Sometimes it’s hard to find a rhythm for homeschooling when life keeps happening around you. Morning sickness, sleepless nights, moving across the country, visits from grandparents, illness, or any number of other things can interrupt your school days.
I get it! I’ve faced my own life challenges while trying to homeschool. It’s important to remember that God has ordained the situations you are facing. This might be a season for relaxed homeschooling. Your kids are learning all the time whether you open the textbooks or not.
Look for creative ways to foster learning while you deal with the circumstances around you. Do what you can and don’t stress about the rest. You aren’t falling behind. You are right where God wants you.
Disorganization Got the Best of You
Do you wake up in the morning wondering what you should be teaching that day? Does your day fly by without ever finding time for school work? Is much of your day spent frantically skimming teacher’s manuals, rounding up supplies and herding your kids to the school area? Are you struggling to balance homeschooling with housework?
If so, disorganization might have gotten the best of you. It’s difficult to keep up with homeschooling if things in your life are in disarray.
This is the time to get organized! What areas of your life are contributing to you falling behind in homeschooling? Pick one or two to work on. Here are some suggestions:
- Look over the rest of your curriculum and map out what you still need to do for the school year. A crate system is a great way to divide up what you have left to do.
- Let your kids know what needs to be done for school each day. Logbooks or daily checklists are a great way to get your kids organized and working more independently.
- Create a daily routine or schedule for your days. When everyone knows what to expect more gets done.
- Put together a system for storing all your homeschool records.
- Enlist your kids to help with chores and let them know what they are required to do. A chore chart can help younger ones stay on task.
- Find ways to balance housework with homeschooling. I offer some suggestions here.
- Put together a strategy for getting meals on the table.
- Declutter and get your home organized.
- Prioritize and organize your schedule so you actually have time to homeschool. Here are some tips for breaking the busyness cycle.
Don’t let feelings of falling behind weigh you down with guilt. Some progress is better than no progress at all. Make changes as needed then rest in the pace that God has set for you and your child. You can do this!
Great tips and insight into the reasons we often feel behind!! All so true!
This is exactly what I needed to hear! I have been putting so much pressure on myself that I can barely even eat, exercise or take care of myself these days because I’m so churned up all the time. Homeschool moms who have this kind of wisdom and confidence are who I need to surround myself with . I really feel so much better right now after reading this. I will probably sleep better and wake up more lighthearted and cheery – the mom and wife that my kids and hubby have been missing the past few days since the school year started back up. This should be joyful for all of us, that’s why I chose to do it! Thank you so much for this article.
Praying you have a joy-filled year!
Great!! I need to read this today! We had a lot of struggle in homeschooling last year. I was feeling that I am in way over my head. We were a public school family until then and the hardest part for me is to teach them. I decided to enroll them with an online homeschool. They are both happy now at home & learning with the help of certified teachers. You would think I’d be thrilled but I must admit, I worry about what others will think because most children we know are homeschooled. I pray my anxiety passes & I will come to enjoy this journey. Thank you for your article.