Now that you’ve managed to get your boys and a dog in the same house, you can breathe a sigh of relief—well, at least until bath time boys and a dog homemaking homeschooling tips for busy folks. You’re busy as it is, so how on earth are you supposed to handle homemaking AND homeschooling? If you aren’t sure where to start with homeschooling, or how you can make it fit into your already busy schedule, take a look at these tips to help you get started today!
If you have younger kids
After-school classes are probably your best bet. Chances are, there’s already a homeschool group of some sort in your town. (There might even be an online group that you can join with other parents who don’t live nearby.) Take your kids along to one of their gatherings and ask questions. Your children will also enjoy meeting kids their own age who share their interests and have similar learning goals—and you can even learn from other parents and teachers! You might also want to check out local co-ops or charter schools for younger students that offer public education on subjects like language arts, math, science, or social studies during certain hours every week or month; once again, these are usually available in most communities—with good reason.
If you have older kids
Before you start, decide on a few methods and stick with them. Once school starts, be firm. Some kids need rules in place that cannot be bent or broken, including punishments for bad behavior. Getting organized ahead of time will make your days run more smoothly and give you time to enjoy being a mom while also keeping your kids safe and educated. It can seem overwhelming at first, but once it becomes routine it’s doable. You have made it through one year already—now just keep going!
Take it in phases
It can be daunting for a busy mom (or dad) to imagine homeschooling, and deciding how you want to do it is a long process. Part of what makes homeschooling unique—and such an incredible opportunity—is that it comes in different flavors and lets you tailor your curriculum and approach. Whether you decide on self-directed learning or one of many other options, know that you don’t have to commit completely if it’s not for you right away. Start with a class or two per week, choose curricula that fit your child’s needs as well as your family’s learning style, and expand from there.
Avoid Common Mistakes
There are a few missteps that busy moms tend to make when homeschooling, so we want to be sure you avoid them. First, it’s important to remember that you are your child’s primary teacher. Although there are certainly times when it makes sense for one of your children (or a friend) to serve as an occasional substitute or helper, remember that someone else can never replace your role as mentor and guide. Your love and commitment will have an effect on your child long after he or she stops attending school on a regular basis. Second, keep in mind that you don’t have to plan every second of every day – unless you want too!
Give it Time
Although you may want to get right down to business and start homeschooling your kids right away, it’s important that you allow yourself some time for preparation. When first starting out, make sure your child is registered with local school districts and that you have a home-school student ID number so they can participate in extracurricular activities. Also, don’t be afraid of taking on extra work; homeschooled students are often asked more questions than their public or private school counterparts, so it helps if you know a little about common curriculums like pre-algebra or AP science.