Being a homeschool mom is one of the hardest jobs a mom can do. It’s a thankless job, but at the same time so rewarding to see how you impact your child’s education. Here are 6 things that successful homeschool moms do, and do amazingly well.
I worked in corporate America for 10 years before I decided to stay home with my kids, and I will tell you being a stay at home mom is the hardest job in the world. You never get a break, you rarely talk to adults, and you work your butt off with no recognition or reward. Add to that deciding to homeschool our kids and I’m surprised I haven’t gotten on Prozac yet. But, there is nothing more rewarding as a mom than seeing your kids grow daily as you homeschool them.
If you would have asked me at 30 years old if I would ever homeschool my kids, I would have laughed at you and told you homeschool kids are weird. Oh how naive I was! Homeschool has become more mainstream over the last 5 years. Throw a pandemic in there, and homeschool was brought to the forefront of many parents’ minds. So many parents saw their children suffer during virtual learning, so they decided to take their children’s education into their own hands, and while it may not be for everyone, those who have chosen to embrace homeschool, are enjoying the freedom that comes with it.
There are some pretty amazing homeschool moms out there. I consider myself mediocre at best, but what I lack in patience and creativity, I thrive in adventure and love of reading with them.
Here are my top 6 things that successful homeschool moms do, and do amazingly well.
They…
Make easy meals.
Unless it’s a special occasion or you’re helping your kids with a recipe as part of school, easy meals are a must for homeschool moms. Our time is so limited, we don’t need to add 2 hours of cooking gourmet meals every night.
Make time for younger kids.
Kiddos that aren’t in school yet still need love and attention. Include them in reading time, science experiments, or nature time. If they are toddler age or younger, spend at least 10 minutes a day of one on one time with them. Kids who don’t get enough attention from parents will find ways to get attention, even if it’s negative.
Give full attention during school time.
This one is a MUST for me. Teachers aren’t distracted with their phones or social media during school, so neither should we be. Giving kids our undivided attention is important. It shows we value their education, their time, and them.
Schedule in breaks.
Kids need breaks! Especially younger kids. School days are longer (and breaks are shorter) than ever before. In fact the amount of time kids have for recess has decreased over the years. Play is a huge part of learning for kids! It’s where they use their imaginations, and imagination breeds creativity.
Take time off as needed.
One of the best parts of homeschool is the flexibility with your time. There is nothing that requires you to go at the same pace as traditional school. If you see burnout happening with you or your kids, take some time off. Use that time to just read together, go on nature walks, play at the park, build forts, or bake. Kids learn so much from all of these things, even though it may feel like you’re taking a “break.”
Are not afraid to make changes to how school looks.
Homeschool is not doing public school at home. It does not have to look like a traditional classroom in your house. Homeschool is whatever works for your family. If what you’re doing today looks like you forcing your kids to do school, even though they hate it, maybe a change in curriculum or scenery is in order. Just because you start the school year with a certain curriculum doesn’t mean you have to continue it the entire school year.
There you have it! 6 things successful homeschool moms do. It’s important to note that understanding how your children learn is key to being a successful homeschool family. If your kiddos are more auditory learners, incorporate more family reading time into your day. If they love working with their hands, have skills stations set up, and lots of manipulatives they can work with. And if you aren’t sure just yet, try different things until one of them clicks with you and your kids, then go all in! If they love it, they will be more excited and ready to do school each day.
If you’re in the thick of homeschool and struggling to find your way, check out my affirmations for homeschool moms for a little reassurance. And if you’re looking for a homeschool curriculum that is laid out and easy to follow, check out what we use for our family.
