Sometimes homeschooling is just challenging. The house is a disaster from a recent shopping trip, toys are everywhere, and a mountain of laundry needs folding. The kids are cranky, refuse to follow basic instructions, and everything has gone to crap.
This is normal.
What you see homeschooling parents accomplish on Instagram is not a daily reality. Those moms and dads rock, but they've had rough days like us. Stop the doom-scrolling and check out these tips so that learning can continue when all hell breaks loose.
1. Allow kids to work on lighter subjects. Do art, exercise as a family, dance and sing, bake or cook to shake up the school day. Fun classes remind students of all ages that learning is exciting and releases stress.
2. Read out loud to your kids. While it's good to have your children read, sometimes sitting still isn't an option. Our kids enjoy it when I read a book out loud while they quietly play with toys, color, or even as they smash their dinosaurs into playdoh. The kiddos often curl up next to me on the couch while I read; sometimes, they stay on the rug making batman fly through the air. The choice is theirs as long as they remain quiet for the reading.
It's been chaos here today! After several meltdowns, Wyatt decided to play with some playdoh, and Watson decided to join him. Instead of having them work in schoolbooks, I read to them about the declaration of independence while they pressed cars into playdoh.
3. Use rewards. Work hard and play hard. For example: If we finish three pages of math, we can go to the park or listen to our favorite song. It's important to model this too. I often have a cup of tea or sit down and relax after completing a few tasks. Showing kids the work-life balance is a lifelong skill!
4. Make an educational playlist on YouTube. When chaos erupts, and productivity screeches to a halt, I usually put on a science or history playlist. You can make a playlist for every subject! There are plenty of options for kids and adults to learn on YouTube, and you won't get a guilt trip from me if you need to bust out the screens!
5. Ask the kids what they want to learn. When kids are excited about a subject, igniting their passion for learning is effortless.
6. Get outside! Fresh air and sunshine are often the best way to reset.
7. Rest and decide to try again in a couple of hours or the next day. It's okay to stop for a while.
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