Five Homeschool Tips

I thought it would be nice to round out my homeschool posts with some of the things I have learned over the years.

This will be my 11th year homeschooling, so I like to think I have a few tips and tricks I can pass along!

This list is by no means me trying to tell anyone what to do.

I am just trying to provide some insight into a few of the things I have learned that have helped me over the years.

I hope you find something in this post that helps or encourages you too.

Here are five homeschooling tips!

1. Find a way to be around homeschooling moms who can encourage you.

It’s so easy to think you are on your own when it comes to homeschooling, but there are so many amazing resources out there to encourage and support you!

Finding other homeschooling moms may sound like a daunting task-especially if you live in a rural area, overseas, etc.

Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to connect online these days.

My favorite resource for this is readaloudrevival.com.

Sarah Mackenzie has created a wonderful community where you can connect with other homeschoolers via the forum, listen to inspiration talks from Sarah and her guests, join in on monthly book clubs for you and your kids, and even attend sessions where you can meet amazing authors and illustrators. Everything is saved to the site, so if you can’t make live events, you can still enjoy the content.

Even if you don’t have the time or money to delve into a membership, you can do what I do. I sign up for the months of December and January, and then cancel my membership at the end of January. I know these are my least busy months, and also a time of year where I could use a burst of inspiration. I don’t have as much time throughout the rest of the year, so I make the most of the time I do have, and also don’t have to pay for a yearly membership.

Other ways to connect with homeschoolers? Check to see if there are any homeschool-specific clubs in your area. We are very fortunate to have a homeschool sports league that offers several different sports throughout the year. We met our best friends while the kids were playing soccer one year.

Our local library also offers homeschool programs, and we have participated in many activities (including art, science, and more) while also getting to know other homeschool families.

Still struggling? Check out some homeschooling books from the library!

Here are two of my favorites:

Teaching From Rest by Sarah Mackenzie (I try to read this one every year or two):

The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart (another good one to remind myself to enjoy the process!):

Sarah Mackenzie also has a free podcast at readaloudrevival.com you can listen to as well.

2. Stay organized.

I know this one isn’t for everyone, but at least for me, if I don’t come up with a plan before the year starts-that extra thing I wanted to do DOES. NOT. HAPPEN.

My favorite planner is this one:

I use this not only for homeschooling, but our family calendar as well.

It doesn’t have to be a fancy planner though. Whatever works best for you, is the best thing to use.

I would just encourage you to look back and see if there are any things you wanted to get to the year before but didn’t. Oftentimes, it’s because there wasn’t a plan for it.

And it’s hard to come up with a plan for things once the year has already begun-because you’re in the thick of things.

3. Be flexible.

You can do all the planning in the world, but being flexible is important. I write out a basic framework for the year in erasable pen, but I am constantly changing it and making adjustments based on our schedule.

I have the framework to fall back on, but it’s easy to rearrange things or delete them as needed. It’s the nature of life to have to make changes, and getting caught up in a strict schedule is a recipe for a stress-filled life.

These are my favorites:

4. Build in a catch-up day.

I only implemented this two years ago, and it has been an absolute game-changer.

Catch-up day is probably a misnomer as you aren’t actually behind-you get to set the schedule-you are the boss! 🙂

BUT, it is nice to have a day (I do once a month, but whatever works for you) to reset.

If you would have liked to get to more of that read aloud, or someone needs a little extra time for math, this is the space for it.

Also, if you want to include a bigger art project, go on a field trip, or watch a documentary-that kind of thing can fit here too.

It also gives your kids a bit of a break that day too.

I really love this addition to our homeschool schedule, and it helps take a little bit of pressure off of me as well!

5. RELAX-don’t “if” yourself to death.

I have heard so many moms worry if they are doing enough.

If they are keeping up with the public schools.

If their kids are really learning.

If. If. If.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in worry. Or buy extra workbooks to make sure you are practicing enough grammar (ask me how I know that one!)

The reality is that your kids do not need to read by a certain age.

They don’t need to know every single piece of grammar-reading good writing can take care of a lot of that on its own!

You don’t need to be at the exact same level as or do things the same way a public school does.

The beauty of homeschooling is that you get to go at your own pace.

You get to do things at the speed of your own kid, and how they learn best.

You know your kid best.

You get to do things in unconventional ways.

Learning is supposed to be fun and engaging.

You get to have fun in the process-and not feel guilty about it.

Do your best to enjoy the process.

And don’t “if” yourself to death.

If you struggle with this (we all do), go back to number one on my list. 🙂

I hope this helps anyone who is struggling or just needs the reminder-you got this!