Relax

Learning, in all its forms, is beautiful and unpredictable. Homeschooling gives you tremendous flexibility and time to adjust your materials and techniques as you go. Homeschooling isn't hard work, but like life, it is unpredictable. Try to remember to relax into homeschooling. If your daily homeschooling seems overwhelming or you are stressed out daily, you need to rethink your approach. If you are unhappy and not enjoying yourself, your children won't be happy or enjoy learning at home. Find a local homeschooling group and connect with a fellow homeschooling parent. Other homeschooling parents will be able to understand your concerns and unique situation. Learning to relax is very important when you first begin homeschooling, because you have not built up the confidence in yourself as a homeschooling parent. "Homeschool burnout" can happen in the first year and is more common with parents who have chosen the school-at-home approach to their homeschooling. If you are often tense while working with your kids and you feel you just can't get it all done in one day, be careful because you could be setting yourself up for a fall. Consider some quick changes if you feel you are close to burnout:

1. Take some time off. Don't worry about missing "important" learning time. What is more important than you and your children's health and happiness?



2. Remember why you decided to homeschool in the first place. It was because you wanted to enjoy your children and your life more.
3. Take a look at your routine. Can you make some changes that will help eliminate stress?



4. Are you going over and over certain areas with your kids? Would it help to take a less rigid approach?



5. Get some help. Look into a homeschooling co-op class, ask your spouse to take over an area of homeschooling, or find a college student who can work with the kids part-time.



6. Be creative. You can do it!

Excerpted from: Homeschooling for Success: How Parents can Create a Superior Education for Their Child by Rebecca Kochenderfer and Elizabeth Kanna