9 Habits of Successful Homeschoolers
Whether you are in the beginning stages of homeschooling your kiddos, or a years-long veteran homeschooler, you’ve likely wondered if you can really be successful at this whole home-educating thing. I’m here to tell you, after more than ten years of homeschooling my own children, that the answer is ABSOLUTELY you can!
I’m going to share with you personal habits that I’ve developed, as well as what I’ve witnessed other successful homeschool moms do with their own kids, that will help you achieve true success in your learning adventures.
BE FLEXIBLE
Most of us are used to the public school system and its regimented, scheduled format. The bus comes at this time, the bell rings at that time, line up here, sit down there…and while these types of schedules may be necessary when dealing with 25-35 students, trying to live by the clock and the calendar can be very detrimental to your homeschool efforts. Life isn’t always neat and tidy, and one of the benefits of home education is the ability to flex and flow with life, and with the needs of your own family. Flexibility doesn't always come naturally to everyone, but give yourself grace, and try to go with the flow a little more. Take time to stop and smell the roses, if you will!
DO NOT COMPARE
One of the absolute biggest mistakes and complete wastes of time is comparing yourself to someone else. Whether you are comparing yourself to another homeschooling mom, comparing your children to their friends (or even to each other!), or comparing your curriculum choices and school room setup to someone else…just STOP. The fact of the matter is, no matter how much they share online, or how close your friendship is, you simply do not know the details and the ins and outs of their lives the way you think you do. Put your blinders on, and focus on the child in front of you, and the learning journey your family is on. No comparison allowed.
CELEBRATE SMALL WINS
Don’t wait until the curriculum is complete or the big goal is reached before you celebrate! It's so important to celebrate progress, not just completion. As I evaluate my children every year, I look for growth. The growth itself is far more important than the pace at which it occurs, and celebrating those little steps will bring a lot more joy to homeschool. A simple ice cream party or a movie night is a great way to keep your kids encouraged as well!
REIGNITE YOUR OWN LOVE FOR LEARNING
We’ve all heard the saying that, when it comes to children, more is caught than taught. In my experience, that’s true. We should always be modeling the behavior we want to see in our kiddos. If we want to raise readers, let them see you read. If you want to raise kind kids, model kindness. And if you want your kids to love learning, show them that you love learning! School was difficult for me as a child, and I was reluctant to homeschool my kids because of my own experiences. Learning alongside my children has been a redeeming experience for me, and has made our homeschool adventure that much more fun.
READ READ READ
Read and read and read some more! More specifically, read aloud! We all know how important it is to read to our toddlers and preschoolers, and how children who are read to have greater literacy skills. Fortunately, these benefits don’t stop after your child is able to read themselves. Read aloud to your upper elementary kids, your middle schoolers, and your high schoolers! The benefits of reading aloud are far reaching, but the habit of read-alouds also has a very practical benefit. When your homeschool is in a hectic season, perhaps with life changes or illnesses or just a well-deserved break, reading aloud every day is a simple way to stay connected and ensure that learning is still happening, even if bookwork isn’t. Bonus tip: Do the voices and be theatrical, even with those older kids! Kids learn more when they are engaged and having fun!
KNOW WHO YOU CAN VENT TO
Every veteran homeschooling parent will tell you that there have been days where they have wanted nothing more than to throw their kids on that big yellow bus and just be done with this whole homeschool gig. I know I’ve been there! Make sure you have at least one person who is in your corner, who knows your heart and WHY you’ve chosen to homeschool, so when you call to tell them what an terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad day you have had, they will listen with empathy and then tell you that they hope tomorrow is better. No matter what, do NOT tell your unsupportive mother-in-law that you’re struggling. The last thing you need is someone encouraging you to throw in the towel over a bad day or two.
SCHEDULE REGULAR CHECK-INS
Parent/teacher conferences are important for homeschool parents, too. Check in with yourself on your goals, your curriculum, and everyone’s progress. This will help you to evaluate what’s working, what isn’t, and where changes need to be made, as well help you to see that your kids ARE learning and making progress. For in depth information about goal setting (and so much more!) don’t forget to check out my Homeschool Course here!
MAKE IT A FAMILY AFFAIR
Just because you are your child’s primary teacher, doesn’t mean you have to be your child’s ONLY teacher. It is absolutely okay to outsource! Whether that is the other parent, a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or a hired tutor, let someone else with passion and deep knowledge teach your kids. Maybe you know someone who is an amazing baker, or gardener, or mechanic, or history buff…bring in some experts! Learning from multiple sources will help make your child a more well-rounded individual, and will ease the burden for you - truly a win/win situation!
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
You have heard all of the cliches about empty cups and oxygen masks, and if you’re anything like me, you likely ignore them most of the time. Here’s the thing, though. If you don't take care of yourself, you WILL burn out, and it’s hard to be a successful homeschooler when you’re on fire. Find ways to encourage and inspire yourself. Care for your mental and physical health. Set the example for your kids. At the end of the day, I don’t want my children growing up believing that they were a burden to me. I can be the mom I want to be to them, and the teacher I want to be, when I take care of me.
Are you already doing these nine things? Maybe just one or two? What are you going to implement in the next week in your own homeschool life to help you be a more successful homeschooler?
If you find yourself needing more encouragement, and a step-by-step outline to homeschool success, Master the Art of Home Education may be just what you’re looking for! Click here to check out this 6-week course that will take you from a nervous newbie to a confident mom ready to rock her homeschool!