Former homeschooler here. Yes, I was homeschooled k-12 and I survived! Actually, I really enjoyed it. I was probably just a really good candidate for it, as I loved learning on my own, being home, and not just sitting at a desk for most of the day. But now homeschooling is a little more than a lifestyle choice – it’s pretty much a requirement (ehhem….COVID!). So, while I liked being homeschooled, there were certainly things that made homeschooling easier, and more fun. And that’s what I’d like to share today – a few things that could make homeschooling easier for you, too.
I’m grateful my mom had the wisdom to work these into our homeschooling days. So if you and your family are dreading another semester of school at home, maybe you can give some of these a try for a little more enjoyable experience? You can do this!!
1. A Schedule Is Your Best Friend
I have helped with my younger siblings, babysat, and nannied long enough to know how much of a difference structure makes. Kids need structure. Some more, some less, but every kid needs structure. Flexibility is a sweet homeschooling perk, but it can also pose a challenge. If things are all flexibility and no structure, there’s a good chance of things piling up, falling behind, and even some melt downs. When everyone’s in the groove, life’s easier. Don’t forget to work this into homeschooling!
Not only does structure provide stability, it also saves time. When everyone knows what’s happening when, there’s a lot less rounding up, explaining, fighting, and tears. Trust me, with 7 siblings I know. Sure, not everyone will like what’s happening on the schedule at a given time, but at least everyone is prepared ahead of time for what’s next. And, we could all work together as a team. We learned to love doing our day together.
2. Discuss Expectations Upfront
Similar to setting a schedule, discussing expectations upfront can also ease the transition into the school season. We would always have a “family meeting” before the first day of school. While I absolutely hated these “meetings,” they did make the transition easier. Chores were assigned, wake up times were set, the schedule was discussed, and everyone was whipped into tip top shape for our first day of school by golly. And boy did the first week of school run like clockwork. We surely did become more relaxed as time when on, until they were so bad again that we’d have another family meeting. But then we’d all be right back on track again. Having the expectations set before school started, gave us all a chance to let go of any dreams of all-day TV, or sleeping in until 10am, or skipping school altogether.
This would be a great time to to involve your kiddos in discussing any fears, concerns, or frustrations, as well as excitement and anticipation they might feel about starting a new school year or homeschooling. Knowing that you care how they feel about it, that you understand, and you have their back can go a long way.
3. Create a Learning Space
One of the problems with homeschooling is that…well, you’re at home. And if you don’t normally homeschool, home for your kids isn’t for school. Just like experts say you should reserve your bed for sleep, so your body knows when your in bed it’s time to sleep, your brain (your kids brains) need a space that says “it’s time for study.”
This doesn’t mean you need a whole room or even a space permanently devoted as a school room. But if you can clear a space, your kitchen table or a corner in the office, that’s free from clutter and distraction, it can go a long way. A designated space for each kid is even better. If you need your kitchen table for other purposes during the day (for eating or something?), keep each of your kids books school supplies in a box or basket that they can easily collect all their things in and store them out of the way.
4. Keep School in School Hours
Whatever those hours are for you. It doesn’t have to be the same hours as school would normally be, unless that’s what works best for you. If the best school hours for your family is 5-8pm or 2-6pm or 7-9am, stick to it. I’d typically start school at 8am and finish around 1 or 2 pm. Every day. Unless I had a big test to study for.
I was quite motivated to stick to these hours because I knew that I’d have the rest of the afternoon and evening to do whatever. And, school didn’t last all day. Once school was done, it was done. No homework, no settling back down from actively avoiding school….well, okay maybe sometimes. But most days, school and then….freedom!
5. Don’t forget P.E. Lots of it.
I know, I know, iPad time is a great break for kids. But kids are made to MOVE. And if they’re home every single day, all day, they have to get out. So take advantage of PE. In fact, have several “periods” of PE. In the morning. After lunch. Before dinner. It’s easy to get lost in all the things that have to be done between school, meals, chores. But don’t forget work in exercise. It just does something to their growing brains.
We spent so much time outside between classes or after school was done for the day. We practiced survival skills (building forts, harvesting tiny little carrots from garden, and making mud soup); ran wild with our imaginations pretending we were princesses escaping from our evil betrothed, or lions trying to survive the scorching desert heat; and scootered around with the neighbor kids until we could scooter no more.
6. Make a List for Your Kids
One of my favorite parts of the actual school part of the day was the handy dandy list my mom would make us. Every week, she’d make us a sheet with a column for each day. Each day listed each subject with exactly which pages or lesson or chapter had to be completed that day. Each item even had a check box next to it. Maybe it had to do with the fact that I’m a super organized and goal-oriented person, but something about that list made me feel more independent, more confident.
The list served a few purposes. One, it kept us on track and all eight of us weren’t asking mom what to do next every 23 minutes. Two, it provided a sense of accomplishment and progress as we checked our way down the list. Finally, and most significantly, it transferred some ownership to us kids. We had our lists, and we were responsible for making sure everything on it got done before the end of the day.
7. Help Your Kiddo(s) Manage Electronic Time
Perhaps one of the biggest battles in homeschooling is…well, electronics. Electronics have made their way into just about every part of our days, even for schoolwork itself. But that doesn’t mean it’s not still a distraction. It’s way more fun to play a computer game than it is to actually watch your English lesson! And the pull is strong. So putting some thought and time into putting some boundaries in place is very worthwhile.
There are some pretty cool, and affordable, family apps for managing screen time and app usage. Apps have continued to develop significantly in the way accountability and boundaries work. Popular apps now give parents the ability to set the amount of time an app can be used, which apps can be used when, and even periods of time such as study or dinner time, when the kids take a break from their electronic (yes, I mean they’re locked out of their phones).
This goes hand in hand with setting expectations and schedules. A few apps to check out include FamilyTime, OurPact, and and KidsLox. You can learn more about these apps and more on Digital Trends.
Making Homeschooling Work
We never got our schedules, spaces, expectations, and grooves right the first time. And they were never perfect either. The homeschooling process, just like anything else, takes adjusting and patience. We often changed times around, moved spaces, and adjusted routines. But after a while, everyone would get into the groove. Even though every school year was quite different, each year became it’s own normal.
Homeschooling is a big change, especially if your family is used to going to school and work every day. But there are a lot of positives and it CAN be enjoyable. You got this!
What about the first day of school? If you’re concerned your kiddos may be missing out on the first day of school, check out our post on First Day of (Home/Virtual) School During a Pandemic!