Finished my first year this year and my biggest battle hands down has been to get my kids motivated to do school altogether. I used rewards, had a sabath schedule-and all the bells and whistles on funschooling to get them interested or participate. I think the hard part was understanding I am now their teacher, principal, AND mom. The attitudes and levels of defiance was hard!
Oh, that can be a big struggle too, mama! You’re not alone in that! A lot of families find it especially helpful to have a period of “deschooling” after pulling their kids out of public school before jumping in to doing it at home. Being consistent with rules and consequences when those attitudes pop us is HUGE! It can seem endless at first but it will pay in leaps and bounds later! Best wishes!
My boys were only in school for Kindergarten and first, but if it's any encouragement...there's no way they would be motivated ANY more, were they in public or private school. I remember MY motivation in school was finding a way around academics in order to spend more time with friends, lol. I do believe homeschooled children do develop a MUCH stronger love for learning, in general. Just give them some time to get out of that public school mindset, where their peers basically teach them that actually pursuing learning is uncool.
The best advice I received is to prioritize connection over curriculum. I'm their mom, period. When they feel loved and connected instead of having a "teacher/principal" living in their home, my kids are more open to responding positively when I sit them down for schoolwork. They still complain 😂 but it's more light-hearted resistance than a power struggle. It also helps to prioritize breaks and to have a good attitude as the parent, but ultimately connecting first will make a big difference.
Yes the lack of support can be subtle too! Like family not questioning the "public school" cousins about school, but questioning my kids about what they are learning and being a little more interrogated. I know they mean well, but still 🤷♀️
For me the no breaks is the hardest part, especially this last year when any kind of childcare has been impossible. Obviously the pros outweigh the cons and I love that we have chosen this path but man, there are some days I fantasize about sending them to school for the day and all the things I could get done (and how long the house could be clean!).
Totally relate! It’s a big time challenge! You know it’s a thing when you’re grinning ear to ear every time you get to run to the grocery store by yourself. 🤣
Exactly no breaks even in that I'm ok with it. That's how you know your doing the right thing because through it all you have peace and your happy with your decision to homeschool.
I love that you are filming outside! It's beautiful back drop! I am a facilitator to my kids education! Yess! This so much! 👏👏 I love how honest this was, because these are real struggles in homeschooling--but the benefits far out weigh that, and I'm glad you addressed that. 💕💕
Love the filming spot that you chose Love your message about God providing - what reassurance ♥️ Thank you for all of your videos, advice, and positivity!
I loved this! You said something about being a teacher can actually make it a little more challenging because of the mindset and you are sooo right. lol. I'm making the transition from public school teacher to homeschool teacher and I keep having to re-frame my thoughts about it. ha! The Lord has been leading me (and our family) to this for awhile. I taught middle school for years and I just couldn't imagine my kids there. :)
This has been our first year homeschooling! With covid, we have felt a bit lonely but I completely recognize that that is because of covid and not just a regular homeschooling year. So I have huge hopes that this next year will be better in that way! I also do find that I need a break from my kids sometimes and after I’ve been a bit refreshed I can handle everything much better all over again. So that’s definitely an important thing to plan if possible!
My husband and I work outside the home full time and so that tends to be the balance for us for breaks from the kids but they usually have either their dad or me home for schoolwork. We use a sitter a handful of days a month where we overlap shifts. I think it’s important to have breaks. I stayed home for two years and my mental health suffered never having time and adult conversation. I love the balance I have made for myself. They thrive being home no matter who is with them. They think days with their beloved sitter of three years is a treat! We are going into year two of our unexpected homeschool journey!
With the no breaks..I had a question. You may have talked about this already... Time with spouse after feeling completely touched out. How to remain intentional with my spouse
Great question! Some simple things we do is make sure the kids always go to bed at their bedtime (7:30 for our youngest and 8:30 for our oldest), that we we have some quiet time together every evening. We are usually kind of drained at that point, so it’s certainly not our best quality time, but it’s better than nothing! I’d say just to try to make whatever time you can squeeze out together intentional - not always just watching TV, etc. Game nights or finding some good conversation starters, dreaming and brainstorming about the future, etc. My hubby works from home so we have private afternoon coffee together every day, even during the school week. When the weather is nice, we often leave the kids home and go for a walk around our neighborhood (our oldest is 13, so he can watch the youngers). We try to have date nights when we can but it usually only happens every few months when my parents are visiting and can watch the kids. Certainly the older your kids get, the more freedom you will have to have time alone together. You could always try putting a movie on for the kids once a week and you guys hang out in a different room for some alone time or fix a fancy dinner or dessert the two of you have as soon as the kids go to bed. Try to find ways you can eek out a little time together where you can! Good luck!
You lost me at the fantastical Santa Claus man in the sky part.....educate yourself too...look into Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins on the existence of God. Best
Great video 👍🏼 Thank you for the reminder “if the Lord lead you to homeschool He will provide the way.” 🥰
Finished my first year this year and my biggest battle hands down has been to get my kids motivated to do school altogether. I used rewards, had a sabath schedule-and all the bells and whistles on funschooling to get them interested or participate. I think the hard part was understanding I am now their teacher, principal, AND mom. The attitudes and levels of defiance was hard!
Oh, that can be a big struggle too, mama! You’re not alone in that! A lot of families find it especially helpful to have a period of “deschooling” after pulling their kids out of public school before jumping in to doing it at home. Being consistent with rules and consequences when those attitudes pop us is HUGE! It can seem endless at first but it will pay in leaps and bounds later! Best wishes!
My boys were only in school for Kindergarten and first, but if it's any encouragement...there's no way they would be motivated ANY more, were they in public or private school. I remember MY motivation in school was finding a way around academics in order to spend more time with friends, lol. I do believe homeschooled children do develop a MUCH stronger love for learning, in general. Just give them some time to get out of that public school mindset, where their peers basically teach them that actually pursuing learning is uncool.
The best advice I received is to prioritize connection over curriculum. I'm their mom, period. When they feel loved and connected instead of having a "teacher/principal" living in their home, my kids are more open to responding positively when I sit them down for schoolwork.
They still complain 😂 but it's more light-hearted resistance than a power struggle. It also helps to prioritize breaks and to have a good attitude as the parent, but ultimately connecting first will make a big difference.
Yes the lack of support can be subtle too! Like family not questioning the "public school" cousins about school, but questioning my kids about what they are learning and being a little more interrogated. I know they mean well, but still 🤷♀️
Yes, so frustrating when that happens!
For me the no breaks is the hardest part, especially this last year when any kind of childcare has been impossible. Obviously the pros outweigh the cons and I love that we have chosen this path but man, there are some days I fantasize about sending them to school for the day and all the things I could get done (and how long the house could be clean!).
Totally relate! It’s a big time challenge! You know it’s a thing when you’re grinning ear to ear every time you get to run to the grocery store by yourself. 🤣
@@TheEclecticHomeschooler ha, yes!
Exactly no breaks even in that I'm ok with it. That's how you know your doing the right thing because through it all you have peace and your happy with your decision to homeschool.
I love that you are filming outside! It's beautiful back drop!
I am a facilitator to my kids education! Yess! This so much! 👏👏
I love how honest this was, because these are real struggles in homeschooling--but the benefits far out weigh that, and I'm glad you addressed that. 💕💕
Thank you! Praying this will be an encouragement to people who are considering this lifestyle!
Love the filming spot that you chose
Love your message about God providing - what reassurance ♥️
Thank you for all of your videos, advice, and positivity!
God is good! 🥰
Yes to the never having a break 🤪 but I’d take that any-day over having my children away from me most the day!
Absolutely!!
Loved this little video set. We all choose to accept the cons because the pros are such more rewarding!
Absolutely!! ❤️
Thank you for adding a positive to the cons 🥰
I loved this! You said something about being a teacher can actually make it a little more challenging because of the mindset and you are sooo right. lol. I'm making the transition from public school teacher to homeschool teacher and I keep having to re-frame my thoughts about it. ha! The Lord has been leading me (and our family) to this for awhile. I taught middle school for years and I just couldn't imagine my kids there. :)
I’ve heard that from so many public school turned homeschool teachers! And that they wouldn’t put their own kids in the school system. 🥴
This has been our first year homeschooling! With covid, we have felt a bit lonely but I completely recognize that that is because of covid and not just a regular homeschooling year. So I have huge hopes that this next year will be better in that way!
I also do find that I need a break from my kids sometimes and after I’ve been a bit refreshed I can handle everything much better all over again.
So that’s definitely an important thing to plan if possible!
So true!! Just a little time away can totally refresh our spirits and refuel us to be our best!
My husband and I work outside the home full time and so that tends to be the balance for us for breaks from the kids but they usually have either their dad or me home for schoolwork. We use a sitter a handful of days a month where we overlap shifts. I think it’s important to have breaks. I stayed home for two years and my mental health suffered never having time and adult conversation. I love the balance I have made for myself. They thrive being home no matter who is with them. They think days with their beloved sitter of three years is a treat! We are going into year two of our unexpected homeschool journey!
So glad you have found a balance that works well for you! ☺️
All of the above!
Kitty has a few words to add as well lol 😊
I just thank God that you exist LOL!!!! Thank you for speaking out.
YES, I don't know that parents who don't homeschool, get that I NEVER have a break from my kids!!!!
It’s definitely a challenge! Even just going to the grocery store alone sometime feels like a treat now. 😅
With the no breaks..I had a question. You may have talked about this already...
Time with spouse after feeling completely touched out.
How to remain intentional with my spouse
Great question! Some simple things we do is make sure the kids always go to bed at their bedtime (7:30 for our youngest and 8:30 for our oldest), that we we have some quiet time together every evening. We are usually kind of drained at that point, so it’s certainly not our best quality time, but it’s better than nothing! I’d say just to try to make whatever time you can squeeze out together intentional - not always just watching TV, etc. Game nights or finding some good conversation starters, dreaming and brainstorming about the future, etc. My hubby works from home so we have private afternoon coffee together every day, even during the school week. When the weather is nice, we often leave the kids home and go for a walk around our neighborhood (our oldest is 13, so he can watch the youngers). We try to have date nights when we can but it usually only happens every few months when my parents are visiting and can watch the kids. Certainly the older your kids get, the more freedom you will have to have time alone together. You could always try putting a movie on for the kids once a week and you guys hang out in a different room for some alone time or fix a fancy dinner or dessert the two of you have as soon as the kids go to bed. Try to find ways you can eek out a little time together where you can! Good luck!
You lost me at the fantastical Santa Claus man in the sky part.....educate yourself too...look into Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins on the existence of God. Best