7 Secrets to Loving Your Homeschool

Don’t just survive in homeschooling. The work you are doing in your home is making a big difference and has eternal value! All those little moments that seem so ordinary and mingled with struggle…they are deposits into someone’s childhood. Oh I know homeschooling is not easy, BUT why should you go from day to day muddling through the daily grind?! Learn to thrive in homeschooling with these 7 Secrets to Loving Your Homeschool.

Video: 7 Secrets to Loving Your Homeschool

#1 Key Ingredient: A Positive Attitude

Your attitude, Mom, is perhaps, one of the most crucial ingredients to your children’s success. It is immeasurably more important than your curriculum. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon says, “The sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” Your words and tone have so much potential to either encourage or discourage your kids. When we cultivate a home atmosphere of curiosity and joy in the learning process, even when that process is messy, we are modeling for them how to love learning in a real world. If your school day is going haywire and your home feels like a zoo, be the calm, resilient presence that anchors your children’s hearts.

Whether you feel like it or not, try smiling at your kids. This simple gesture can completely change the atmosphere.

#2 Embrace the Uniqueness of YOUR Homeschool

Want to know your secret weapon in homeschooling? It’s this. Be yourself. One of the reasons your homeschool is really good is because it is unique. Your strength is in your individuality. Each homeschooling family has its own flavor. What is your homeschool style? Field trips? Reading together? Hands-on projects? Nature lovers? Life Skills learning? Travel schooling? Math and problem solving? Entrepreneur endeavors? Know the style of learning that fits you and your kids. Work to refine the kind of gifts you excel at!

A little bit of comparison can be healthy if it inspires you to grow and try new things. But if you compare yourself to others in a way that leaves you defeated, this is a habit worth breaking!

This is no time for self doubt or questioning. You have to really believe you can do this. Homeschooling your kids doesn’t require special pedigree. You simply need to love your kids and want to learn alongside them. When you can view homeschooling as an extension of parenting, you will be free to craft a growing atmosphere that fits your distinctive interests and strengths.

#3 Short lessons

If you and your kids want to instantly start loving your homeschool, try doing shorter lessons. Do just enough to intrigue, but not exhaust your kids. Read only the number of pages of the history lesson that will make them want to know what happens next. Do just the quantity of math problems necessary for them start getting the concept. Make them eager to come back for more tomorrow. Give them enough of a taste to keep their appetite strong.

The goal is to make some progress every day. Don’t put pressure on yourself to finish the 5th grade curriculum by the end of the year. Short lessons help kids (and moms!) enjoy learning.

#4 Have Realistic Expectations

Having struggles in homeschooling is NORMAL. Stop trying to find the magic pill that will solve whatever issue is currently rearing its ugly head in your home. It is normal to have distractions, learning challenges, sibling quarrels. It’s normal for the house to get messy when it is full of children who are learning. In stark contrast to the sterile environment of brick and mortar schools, a home is brimming with life and activity. There’s always laundry that needs to be done, meals to make, children’s hearts that need a mother’s understanding. All these necessities appear to be interruptions to your school day, but in reality, they are simply a part of the whole process. Stop beating yourself up over days stymied by constant demands. The ideal homeschool day is an illusion.

#5 Think outside the Curriculum Box

Put the books aside sometimes and think of other ways to learn. Try interest-led learning. What are your kids always asking about? Pursue that! Find books or documentaries on that topic. Go on field trips. Do a sewing project. Watch how-to videos on YouTube. Learn to play a musical instrument. Bake together. Let them take things apart and put them back together. Work on mastering important life skills. Go on a nature hike. Play board games. Sketch or paint for pleasure. Start a garden. The world is full of beauty. Homeschooling is our chance to enjoy it!

#6 Focus on Relationships

Don’t miss the obvious. You are homeschooling your child, not a curriculum. Stop and look them in the eyes. Really listen to what they are talking about. Try the things they want to try. Go the places they ask to go. Love them for who they ARE, not for who you want them to be. Laugh and have fun together. (I am writing this as a reminder to myself as well!)

Finishing all the lessons and checking off all the boxes in a day is secondary. Being with our kids, growing alongside them, learning with them… this should be a priority.

#7 See the big picture

Don’t be short-sighted. Homeschooling is for the long haul. You probably won’t see the fruit of your labor in a week or a month or even a year. It can be easy when you are in a difficult moment to feel like things aren’t working. Maybe you have a child who is struggling to read or maybe the toddler is constantly interrupting everything. But I think it is important to look past individual moments and days to see the kind of lifestyle that we are able to have because of homeschooling.

It helps me to revisit all the reasons that we started homeschooling in the first place. Here are some of ours.

• Building relationships
• Sibling friendships
• Flexibility
• Interest-based
• Individualized
• Time for play and to pursue their interests
• Efficient: We get more done in less time!
• Safety
• Home as the center of life and activity
• Opportunity for discipleship

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Why should we just get by from day to day in our homeschool? Let’s fully appreciate and relish this time with our kids… struggles, imperfections, and all! What are your secrets for loving your homeschool?