School… this can be a dreaded word even in “normal” times, but these days, it is especially daunting since many of us have found ourselves navigating school at home. Frankly speaking, school has recently become something I dread the most, and this is definitely true after the holiday break.
As a recovering perfectionist, when I don’t master certain goals easily, I avoid pursuing them altogether. So now you’re either thinking “I’m not alone!” or “Why am I taking homeschool advice from this looney?!” Well, perhaps my own trial and error can shed some light on getting back into the swing of homeschooling after the holidays!
Here are a few simple, yet helpful tips:
Find Balance
Like everything in life, passion and drive will go up and down. While some days are wonderful and others aren’t as great, balance means looking at the overall average, taking small steps, and focusing on the big picture. As you seek balance in homeschooling after an amazing socially distanced holiday and welcome into 2021, trust that God has already paved the way.
Bring God into Your Lessons
It doesn’t matter how you do it – whether it’s VeggieTales, Superbook, a simple prayer, or an in-depth study of a book in the Bible – invite God into your homeschool. He is essential. Good luck attempting to handle it all without Him! Bringing God into your lessons will not only set a strong example of faith, perseverance, and patience for your kids, but it will also help you to feel a sense of peace and hope as you face each day and new challenges.
Give Yourself Opportunities to Fail
The thing about failing is that it offers us a chance to learn and do better next time. As long as you’re breathing, there are endless opportunities to dust yourself off and try again. Homeschooling inevitably comes with some struggles along the way, but don’t let fear of failure stop you from feeling confident in your abilities as a teacher and as a mother. I encourage you to know that you are doing just what God has called you to do during this season of life.
Avoid Comparisons
Comparing your kids to others, or even to their siblings, will lead to setbacks and frustrations. Kids excel at different things, and not everyone learns at the same speed. To be honest, I’ve fallen short on this countless times. In these moments, it’s helpful to take a step back and identify your kids’ unique strengths. Help them to grow these skill sets and use them to their advantage to improve in other areas.
As we all embark on the return to homeschooling, it is important that we remember to seek balance, include God in our lessons, find freedom in failure, and embrace our kids’ unique potential!
