• Focus on what’s going well

  • When I focus on the small ways my children help around the house, their excitement when they come up with a new idea, get to spend all day outside on a beautiful day, feel inspired to create a story or invention, or they’re having a great time pretending to be knights and princesses. I feel that burst of joy that reminds me that THIS is why I’ve chosen this lifestyle.

• Find what brings you joy and do that more

  • When I get focused on a new book, learning a new skill, or finding a new recipe to try I instantly forget my lack mentality. This takes away the boredom that can sometimes lead to feelings of not being or doing enough for my children. This also serves as an example to them to do things they love too.

• Get involved in their play or interests

  • It’s easy to fall into a schoolish mindset of not doing what the schools are and feel compelled to bring something “school like” into their day. When I find myself feeling this way I try to observe them and listen more which inevitably leads to witnessing learning in all areas of life. That’s not to say I don’t encourage academics but I’ve found my children enjoy practicing new skills when they are intrinsically motivated to.

• Find a routine that works well for everyone

  • I focus on my needs and place them strategically into my day which means I need to wake up early to ensure I have some alone time first thing. We all enjoy getting outside and seeing our friends so that is also a regular activity in our day. They prefer to have screen time and we are not open to it being an all-day thing so we have agreed on times which work for all of us.

• Find community

  • Find your people and stay connected. There are so many options out there now-a-days to find other homeschoolers. Naturally if you get out and about during the day you’ll come across other people homeschooling which can lead to connections. Other options are local groups, co-ops, homeschool fitness classes (dance, gymnastics etc). We are fortunate to live in a community with loads of homeschoolers and we also have lots of neighbors that we get together with.

• Find time outside of the home for yourself

  • I didn’t do this for a long time and it cost me. Once I dedicated my time to making friends and doing things for myself away from my kids a couple of times a month I felt refreshed and less reactive to the little things.

• Remember this is just a season

  • Whether you homeschool for 1 year or 18 it is temporary. Life at home with kids can sometimes feel stagnant but as we all know with children they grow up fast and I find the more we have the faster it seems to go. They learn so quickly and grow daily I couldn’t imagine missing the small moments of having a picnic lunch with my kids and our best friends on a beautiful spring day, watching my daughter help her baby sister into their boat made out of a cardboard box, or snuggling up on the couch with my two biggest reading a novel that we just can’t get enough of.

• When all else fails go on a field trip

  • Plan one the kids are into. Museums, the nature center, a new park, the zoo. We find inspiration from the places we explore and so much learning happens by being a part of real life.

We get to choose how we spend our time. How do you want to spend yours?