homeschool lifestyle

What to Do When You Feel Alone as a Homeschool Mom

November 15, 2018 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Sometimes homeschooling can feel like a solitary journey for moms. It’s ironic that we seek out opportunities for our kids to “socialize” yet as homeschool moms we can get isolated unless we make an effort to reach out. The responsibilities of homeschooling and keeping a home running smoothly leave little time for us as individuals. So what is a homeschool mom to do when she feels alone?

How to Cope with Isolation While Homeschooling

Here are some helpful tips to help you cope through the lonely times.

Join an online homeschool support group

Some moms find it hard to come out of their shells, even though they really would like to join a group. They worry about what other moms might think of them, or that they won’t be able to make a connection. Sometimes it can be easier to interact in an online group, so don’t discount their value!

Are you part of my private facebook group, Homeschool Dynamics by Tina Robertson?

We can stay in touch there and you’ll love connecting with other like-minded persons although they may not be in your same town.

Join a local support group or co-op

You can reach out to other like-minded moms in local support groups, co-ops, or play groups. Sometimes just a once a week or once a month get-together can make all the difference in your attitude when you get to talk to other moms in similar situations. It can be just what you need to renew and inspire you.

Sometimes it takes a while to find a group where you and your kids fit in. In the beginning of my homeschool year, I think I went through four groups before I found one that suited myself and my kids.

The group I chose had one park day a week and it was the perfect amount of time to keep us interacting with others and to keep me from wanting to go into a shell.

Although I’m not shy by nature, I do have low tolerance for drama. That kept me from joining some groups. However, I realized the need to be around other people was important as it served as the impetus to keep going through tough times.

Visit the local library

You’d be surprised by some of the activities, groups, and classes you can find for free or low cost at your local library. You’ll find other moms there for story times as well. Don’t be afraid to reach out and find a kindred spirit there!

Become the organizer

If these things don’t exist in your area, start them yourself! Homeschoolers are used to thinking outside the box and taking the initiative, right? If what you need doesn’t exist yet, create it yourself. Odds are there are other moms just like you looking for these types of connections.

Focus on the kids

I know you may say you do this already. But my point is sometimes a friend for you can come out of friendships between kids. I have one dear friend where the friendship bloomed from kids that have similar personalities.

Coping with Homeschool Loneliness

It doesn’t take a whole group to not feel alone. A conversation is an art between two people.

Be willing to drive a few hours

I think this is one one of the most common complaints I hear a lot about homeschool groups. I’ve been part of groups that I’ll be willing to drive to for hours because of the quality over one that was in my hometown and not a good fit.

Carpooling worked too and we would take our lunches to save money on gas.

The truth of it is groups pop up and close down all the time and you need to be willing to adjust to find your niche.

Even one outing a month was good for us at times when life was busy, so I was willing to drive to meet up for the day. I never regretted having to drive to meet with our friends.

Find your tribe or just one BFF

Whether you’re looking for a group or just one great friend, don’t give up. It’s worth the effort. If one group isn’t working, try another.

It’s important for homeschool moms to have friends, online or in person, who understand the homeschooling lifestyle.

There are times in your homeschooling journey when you might feel alone, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Remember there are other like-minded moms out there and with persistence you can find each other.

You’ll love these other tips:

Hugs and love ya,

100 Ways to Silence the Homeschool Naysayers (Maybe!)

November 5, 2018 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

It’s hard to believe that we still have to deal with homeschool naysayers, but they’re out there, aren’t they?

The truth is, there will always be critics no matter what you do, and if you’re a homeschooling family. Lucky you! You’ve probably had to handle homeschool naysayers at one point or another.

100 Ways to Silence the Homeschool Naysayers

Although the choice to homeschool has become more mainstream in recent years, you can bet there will always be someone who doesn’t get it. Homeschool naysayers come in all shapes and sizes. They could be your friends, family, or just a good ‘ole fashioned random stranger. Either way, it’s important to be prepared for those moments when the naysayers are out.

Respond with kindness.

Give others the benefit of doubt. Often times, people are just curious about the homeschooling and have a poor way of showing it.

Embrace being different.

More and more parents are turning to homeschool, but it’s still not the norm. Let go of insecurities and be confident in your family’s choice.

Share your success stories.

It’s always a shock to the homeschool naysayers when they learn we’ve been at it for over a decade and have one son in college. Be proud of your successes. Homeschooling is possible!

Turn the table.

Why don’t people ask public school parents the same weird questions they ask homeschooling parents? Try asking homeschool naysayers you encounter some of those silly questions. Do they worry about socialization?

In a perfect world, parents will be able to do what they feel is best for their kids without facing any judgment. Until then? Here’s a mega list for the next time you need to silence the homeschool naysayers.

(Let’s just say you’ll never be caught off guard by critics again!)

Homeschool Naysayers

1. I don’t want my kids falling through the cracks of the public school system.
2. My kids have different learning styles and we need the flexibility of homeschooling.
3. I’m thankful for the freedom to study any subject we want.
4. My kids are learning how to study and research.
5. I’m not judging you for sending your kids to public school, so please don’t judge me for my choice to keep my kids home.

6. Textbooks limit learning to the same old facts.
7. Standardized tests are not a true measure of ability.
8. I want my children to be treated like students and not just a test score.
9. I don’t have faith in a system where the teachers aren’t valued.
10. There’s no better place for a child to learn than home.

11. Classrooms are overcrowded.
12. We never have to worry about the car line or bus stop.
13. Homeschooling is what’s best for our family.
14. Now that my kids are older we take our work with us to the coffee shop.
15. Standardized testing causes so much stress and anxiety in our young kids.

16. We love being able to take family vacations without being tied to a school calendar.
17. I don’t want my kids worried about school shootings.
18. My kids are able to mature at their own pace.
19. Homeschooling fosters creativity.
20. I don’t have to worry about what my kids are learning.

Thank goodness I was never sent to school: it would have rubbed off some of the originality. ~ Beatrix Potter

21. Homeschooling makes it easy to follow passions and turn them into areas of study.
22. We don’t have to deal with bullies.
23. Or drugs!
24. My kids don’t have to worry about the stress of peer pressure or trying to “fit in”.
25. I’m able to offer one-on-one instruction.

26. We are able to cover the same material in a fraction of the time it takes to cover in the classroom.
27. My kids are far apart in age and would never see each other if it weren’t for homeschooling.
28. We get to make weekend breakfast every day.
29. We’re never running late in the morning.
30. My kids are growing up together instead of living on different schedules.

31. I’ll never get this time back and I’m thankful.
32. We get to expose our children to the world on our own terms.
33. Homeschooling has helped our family to work together as a team.
34. I want my kids to learn more about life than what public school will teach them.
35. Homeschoolers are being accepted by colleges and universities nationwide.

36. We get to do projects and experiments as a family.
37. I love that we can impart values and beliefs into our studies.
38. There is a growing demographic of homeschooling families.
39. Homeschool families reduce the burden on taxpayers by an estimated $27 billion annually.
40. It’s nice to be able to focus on life skills students aren’t learning in the classroom.

41. State standardized testing benefits the schools not the student.
42. Homeschooling makes it possible to build long-term friendships as opposed to controlled “socialization”.
43. My older children are learning how to teach through learning with younger siblings.
44. We’re not limited to textbooks.
45. Thankfully, “Common Core” is not a common phrase in our home.

There is no school equal to a decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent. ~ Gandhi

46. We get to make more memories as a family.
47. My kids are able to dig deeper or go in a different direction if that’s where learning leads.
48. My teenager was able to find a great part-time job due to his schedule flexibility.
49. I want to keep my kids from the stress I dealt with at public school when I was growing up.
50. Homeschooling provides a platform for my kids to be problem solvers.

51. Homeschooling has provided a flexible schedule for my high schooler to complete volunteer hours needed for scholarship applications.
52. Busy learners can stand, jump, and move around as needed.
53. My kids aren’t immediately labeled when they’re struggling.
54. Homeschooling has prepared my college-aged kids for managing their own time and schedule.
55. We aren’t bound to the public school schedule, which is primarily built upon county transportation needs, not the needs of students.

56. We are able to offer a calm, peaceful learning environment.
57. People have been successfully educating their kids at home for decades.
58. Customizing our education has been so awesome.
59. We love learning through field trips.
60. There is more time for hands-on learning.

61. My kids get more time with grandparents and extended family.
62. We have the option to travel any time of year.
63. Our family cherishes the extra meal times we have together.
64. We’ve learned so much about teamwork through homeschooling.
65. If we need a day off, we take one!

6. We get to read whatever we want.
67. My kids aren’t witnessing any physical abuse or bullying at home.
68. We’ve been able to educate our kids about sex, relationships, and marriage in a safe and loving environment.
69. We don’t have to fight weekend crowds.
70. I get to teach my kids through everyday tasks like shopping, cooking, and cleaning.

I suppose it is because nearly all children go to school nowadays and have things arranged for them that they seem so forlornly unable to produce their own ideas. ~ Agatha Christie

71. I will never regret the extra time I got with my kids.
72. Coasting through the system with C’s and minimal understanding or retention is not OK with me.
73. We don’t have to teach to the test.
74. My kids aren’t forced to be anywhere they don’t feel safe.
75. We have built a strong family foundation homeschooling through hard times.

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school ~ Albert Einstein

76. We get to play music really loud during class.
77. We can literally take our school anywhere!
78. My kids have learned how to interact with all age groups.
79. There’s never any busy work or wasted time.
80. We never have to stress with late-night homework.

81. Our pets love having their humans home during the day.
82. We are able to place a greater emphasis on music and art.
83. I’m doing my best to give my kids what they need.
84. My senior is able to spend time focusing on college and scholarship applications.
85. I’m able to customize our schedule to fit the needs of my kids.

86. We’re not dependent on state-funded resources.
87. My kids are able to move through each subject at their own pace.
88. We’re able to do science experiments every day.
89. My teenagers work more productively with a later sleep schedule than public school allows.
90. There’s nothing better than an empty movie theatre on a weekday afternoon.

91. It’s been a huge learning experience for our family.
92. My younger children have learned so much from learning alongside their older siblings.
93. I get to sit and have coffee with my kids instead of rushing out the door.
94. We can really dive into a subject or area of study through food, history, movies, etc.
95. I love that we can focus on character and values in our studies.

96. Homeschooling has taught my kids to be independent thinkers.
97. My kids grow up learning that it’s OK to be different and go “outside the box”.
98. We can take a creative approach to learn.
99. Our family has more time together.
100. Homeschooling is awesome!

How do silence the homeschool naysayers? What would you add to the list?

You’ll love these other tips and grab some of my other 100 round ups:

This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.

Click the image below to visit all the other blog articles from the homeschool moms of the iHomeschool Network.
Hugs and love ya,

26 of the BIGGEST Gripes about the Homeschooling Lifestyle!

October 18, 2018 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

As homeschool families, we’ll be the first to defend the homeschooling lifestyle. We can easily sing its praises, talk about the wonderful choice we’ve made to educate our kids at home, and how happy we are with that decision. However, that doesn’t mean things are always perfect for us. So today we’re going to get real and share some of the biggest gripes about the homeschooling lifestyle.These are the common struggles from my own experience, as well as talking with other homeschool moms. The complaints usually fall into one of two categories — pressure from others or the pressure we put on ourselves.

Gripes about the Homeschooling Lifestyle: Pressure from Others

Interference from the non-homeschoolers who think they know better, even though they aren’t informed about the realities of homeschooling
Family members who disagree with homeschooling
Family members and/or strangers who constantly grill children with trivia questions to test their knowledge every time they see them
Other homeschoolers who think their way is the only way
The paperwork!
The “socialization” conversation… because apparently being homeschooled is the same as having no human contact
That moms who don’t homeschool think we’re judging them for it just because we’re excited to homeschool
When others think we’re free to run errands, visit, or babysit just because we’re at home
Talking about socialization with total strangers or family members
Pinterest-perfect expectations from everyone
Kids being excluded from sports programs associated with the school system
Criticism from in-laws and others who ask if our kids are “behind level”
People who say that public school is the only way kids can learn and be “socialized”

Gripes about the Homeschooling Lifestyle: Pressure on Ourselves

No downtime because the kids are at home all the time instead of away at school
The mid-winter slump that steals our motivation and energy
Overachievers that make us feel like I’m not doing enough
Never having ME time
Feeling like I just can’t manage the individual needs of each child in a large family
Doubting ourselves and wondering if we’re doing enough or doing it right
Being a single mom busting both ends of candle and winter is hard for us because of the cold. We do lots of arts and crafts in winter
Stretching ourselves to give enough attention to each child at all times
The realization that we’re totally responsible for EVERY part of our child’s development and education
Not having friends or a social life to interact with other moms due to lack of time

Look at a few of these resources!

Gripes about the Homeschooling Lifestyle: Inconveniences

Being unable to afford outside activities on a single income
Hard to manage the housework with kids at home all the time
Making appointments for ourselves and trying to find childcare during the day

As much as we may love the homeschooling lifestyle, there are challenges as well. Sometimes we just need to accept these things and take the good with the bad. Sometimes we need to allow ourselves to take a break when needed to avoid burnout.

The important thing to remember is that it will all be worthwhile in the end. Take it from someone who has stayed the homeschool course and finished strong. You’ve got this!

Look at these other tips you’ll love:

The BEST Gift Ideas for Homeschool Families & Their Kids!

September 16, 2018 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

What’s the best gift ideas for homeschool families and their kids?

After a year or two at it, it’s easy to see how homeschooling can easily become a lifestyle. And while there are certain times in the year that you can predict certain needs (for example, school supplies in the fall), there’ll be many other times throughout the year when both homeschooled kids and their parents will appreciate something special.

There are lots of opportunities like Homeschool Teacher Appreciation Day (yup, there IS such a thing!) that friends and family (and a shout-out to generous grandparents) can show an extra measure of support with a thoughtful gift. But really, who needs an occasion to “gift” someone you care about, right?!

But what to give? Even the most supportive family can be a little stumped by what to buy. Especially when a homeschooling bunch enjoys a flexible style, or thrives on “unschooling”.

So I asked a bunch of homeschoolers I know to give me their dream list. Of course, asking a bunch of homeschoolers – who by their very nature like to live un-labeled – sometimes/often/always means you’re likely to get a wide range of answers!

Fortunately, I was able to distill those answers into a few categories. And I’m hoping that the following list of ideas will help you in the future as you gift shop for your favorite homeschool family.

Keep in mind that while some of these categories don’t sound like fun (i.e. supplies), homeschoolers by nature are a pretty creative lot, and many kids I know get as much fun out of a fresh pack of colored pencils or markers as any artsy adult out there! So don’t be put off by the titles below. When given with enthusiasm and a kind heart, a sincere gift is always appreciated.

One/ Gift Homeschool School Supplies

No, “homeschool” and “school” isn’t a typo here: homeschools and schools are NOT (necessarily) the same thing! Many of us work super-hard to not re-create a traditional school inside our own four walls, even though we may use some of the same materials. Such as:

Amazon gift cards – These are always welcome, ‘cause when something comes up unexpectedly, Amazon is bound to have it!
Backpack – Yes, even homeschoolers use these. Many families study at co-ops, or the library, or other locations, and at the very least have been know to take along a book or two when out and about.
Hands-on science kits and other materials – No matter what science is going on at home, anything hands-on is sure to be super-appreciated. These are the items that are often a bit beyond budget, and add an exciting element to studies.
Models – Same here, whether they are train, plane, car, or human body models – what fun!
Pens and paper – Always appreciated because we’re always running out. The “cooler” the variety, the more they are a gift..
Gift card to Hobby Lobby – or Michaels or any craft store, for that matter. We’ll take it and be oh-so-thankful!

Two/Gift Homeschool Teaching Resources – a teacher’s wish list

Ah, yes, these are the items that for the typical homeschool family might be budget-busters, but if given as single gifts by someone special can be treasured for years to come:

Telescope or microscope – Remember that comment above about hands-on science kits? Well, there are entire universes (quite literally) that open up to our kiddos by looking through either of these, and you will have the entire family’s eternal gratitude by gifting one of these puppies.
A laminator – This is like “If you Give a Mouse a Cookie…” to a homeschool mom. There are a gazillion uses for one of these, but sadly, this is not usually on the basic school supply list in the fall. Sigh.
A ukulele or set of bongo drums, musical instruments – Sure, consider gifting a piano if you have the bucks! Music is one of those gifts that keeps on giving, and studies show that music studies often have far-reaching side benefits, too.
Gymnastics class or other class the kids would like and don’t fit into the budget – If they already have an instrument, consider paying for a semester or even a year’s worth of lessons. The grandpa of a friend of mine covered the cost of piano lessons for two of her children one year, and went on to cover another year for the student who really “took” to music studies.
Metal detector – This is SO fun and educational and a great item to have when going on vacation, too.
Cover (or at least contribute to) travel expenses to somewhere super cool – OK, maybe this might be asking too much, but considering how much we spend on technology, that same amount going towards memories and the learning that takes place while traveling? Priceless!
Printer – Even mini printers are affordable these days and homeschoolers still print – a lot.

Three/ Gift Other Homeschool Resources – month-by-month

Learning goes on month-to-month, and these resources can broaden the scope of almost whatever subject is being taught! Plus, the passes also help families make the most (educationally) of potential family vacations.

Magazine subscriptions, homeschool and learning magazines for kids.
Any kind of zoo pass, National Park pass, nature/science/museum/center pass…
Documentary movies – Netflix, Amazon Streaming, etc

Four/ Fun Stuff that Homeschooled Kids and Families Appreciate

Pj’s – From a well-meaning family member, pj’s can be a great inside joke. You know how some people think we “do school” in our pj’s all day.(OK, maybe some of us do, but that’s another story)
Games – Board games for inside and outdoor games for when the weather’s fine are always welcome. If you can gift NON-tech games and/or games without batteries and mom-annoying noises, these will be especially appreciated by the grown-ups.
Art baskets – Head over to a craft store or big-box craft department and put together a cute little box or basket with fuzzy pom poms, pipe cleaners, clothespins, craft sticks, googly eyes, little erasers shaped like animals. Go crazy! Or send them a fun package to their house.
Minecraft skins – If you know a homeschooler who’s “into Minecraft” (and believe me there are ways to use Minecraft in a homeschool) pick up a pre-paid gift card for them so they can make in-game purchases. Of course, always check with mom and dad beforehand.

Five/ Homeschool Mom Gifts

Last, but certainly not least, at the end of the day, I can’t think of a homeschool mom on the planet that wouldn’t appreciate a special gift for herself once in a while.

Monthly massage – This needs no explanation.
Babysitting – Having time to prep or clean or just have some “me-time” is oh-so-important, and often neglected.
Housekeepers – And you get extra points if you can arrange for an hour or two before a special family occasion coming up!
A mani-pedi gift card – Even more fun, go out with her and make it a fun friends-date.
Words of encouragement – Who gets “real” mail these days? Sending a store-bought, or even handmade card is sure to touch her heart.
The day off! – Come take over for the day while she goes out and does whatever. You don’t even have to volunteer to oversee school ‘cause even the kids could use a break now and then. But she’ll be sure to remember this day fondly for some time to come.
Pre-made meals – Don’t wait until there’s an illness or tragedy. Surprise the family with a meal and, if you brought enough, stay and visit for a while.
Pay a library fine – Oh my, this will speak volumes to a busy mom who may or may not have forgotten to bring a book or two back in time. And I may or may not have personal experience with this one. I’m not saying.

There you have it! But see what I mean? The “perfect gift” for a homeschool family comes in as many shapes and sizes as homeschool families themselves.

Give any of these ideas or anything else you can come up with… from your heart and you’re sure to touch their hearts!

You’ll love these other ideas:

Hugs and love ya,

How to Cope Successfully With Homeschool Mental Stress

September 2, 2018 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Jumping into homeschooling with ways to reduce negative mental stress is crucial because homeschooling takes a toll on your mental health. Having some tried and true techniques at your finger tips is absolutely essential to coping with homeschool mental stress; the power of a mental hygiene homeschool routine can’t be underestimated.

I’ve learned to accept happily that struggling and being stressed doesn’t mean that the homeschool lifestyle is not worth it. For my family, it has been a superior way of education.

The right view of stress, which is that not all of it is negative, is necessary to categorizing the type of stress we encounter in homeschooling. There is good stress and there is bad stress.

There is no way to eliminate stress totally from our life because stress can be an energizing and motivating force to do school day in and day out successfully.

The release of energy, the highest sense of accomplishment, and the gratifying feelings deep down in our gut we get when we teach our kids to read, to cook, or see them positively engaging with adults is hard to explain to those that have not experienced it.

Ten Tips to Manage Homeschool Stress

However, today I’m not talking about the good side of stress. We don’t talk enough about the bad kind of stress which can take over our mind, affect us, and affect those we love.

If you haven’t lived our homeschool life it’s hard to know what we experience day to day. Look at these 10 tried and true tips that have worked with me as I’ve homeschooled over the past 20+ years.

ONE/ Lowering your expectations is NOT equivalent to lowering your standards.

In many ways homeschooling back before all the devices exploded on the homeschooling scene, which are suppose to free up our time, was easier than today.

We didn’t have so much content thrown at us; we weren’t bombarded with information overload to wade through.

Pushing back and resisting the urge to cover every possible facet of a subject has not meant lower standards in learning. My sons high college grades prove otherwise. I view myself as a normal home school mom who didn’t always push her kids academically.

I was consistent each day and that was key to lowering the stress for the day and not overloading my mind with worry if my kids were performing well enough.

If you find that you keep piling expectations, extra subjects, or longer homeschool days on you and your kids ask yourself is it worth it?

TWO/ Step away from the online world and into the real world.

One of the best ways to help me rejuvenate quickly is to be around close friends or family and stay completely off my phone and off online.

Do you remember the time when we all didn’t carry phones? Some people had to actually wait for a reply.

As much time as I spend on my blog and online schooling for my kids, I realize that I’ve always had intermittent times when I’m completely away from the online world.

I find myself with instant calm for my mind when I have face to face conversations with warm individuals. It reminds me that slowing down for day to day interaction is the key to a healthy mental hygiene.

THREE/ Simple physical activities. I do mean simple.

Don’t get me wrong, if you want to knock yourself out at the gym go for it. My problem is that it takes me a while to recover from strenuous workouts and then it defeats my purpose in easing my mental stress. From there I go to worrying about what has not been done for the day.

What I have found that works for longer periods of time or through the years is a simple nature walk. To this day, I still take nature walks even in my neighborhood. I think doing it at the crack of dawn and seeing the sun rise sets the right tone for my day.

I’ve always been an early morning person, but if you’re not a morning person the evening sun or night skys is just as gorgeous. I have no favorites.

Being outside reminds me of what is important each day, it fills up my tank when I have to deal with others especially my kids, and it just reminds me to be grateful I’m alive.

FOUR/Easy activities with the kids eases mental tension.

I always read about self-care and getting away from the kids. While this is true on occasions, the truth of it is we homeschool because we love being with our kids.

Not every solution involves isolation. When I feel overloaded I change our plans for the day.

A simple walk or hike with kids, an all day reading day, or even something simple like watching a movie are all easy activities that can ease mental tension. A shift in focus, rest, or stepping back are all options depending on your needs.

Sometimes it’s just not possible to be alone and when you can’t, take steps now to have ideas in place for when you need a different pace. Besides, you are also modeling to your kids how to cope with days that are mentally taxing.

FIVE/Humor in big doses throughout the day.

There are many reasons to laugh during the day while homeschooling.

If you’ve taught for any length of time, you know your kids say funny things, think funny things, and do funny things.

Treasure those moments and don’t forget to laugh when it’s time to laugh. It’s a quick fix to alleviate stress in the air and your kids will love the stress free atmosphere you create. Better yet, write down all of those funny sayings in your planner and come back to them.

I also save pictures in one file of funny things my kids did and I have some picture of myself that ares absolutely awful while homeschooling which I would never share with the homeschooling world. But every time I look at them, I laugh so hard it’s hard to stop. It keeps me balanced of how I view myself.

SIX/ Do we really NOT have time for a hobby? Count the mental cost.

I was wrong when I started homeschooling because I gave up some of my hobbies. Okay, my thinking was a bit off. It took me years to find balance; I hope it doesn’t take you that long.

My thinking was off because when I thought of a hobby I thought of something that gave no value. A hobby could keep you from doing the more important things if it’s not kept in balance. Why do we think it has to be all or nothing?

How did I adopt such an extreme view? I know it was to prevent me from not giving attention to what I needed to do each day which is to be sure my kids get the best education I can give them. Again, I try not to go too hard on myself because I had set the right priority.

Balance is the key to doling out increments of time doing something I enjoy whether it’s photography, cooking, or blogging.

Not thinking about the teacher mom at present, but about the person and woman I am has always revitalized me.

You’re the only one to answer to if you have become unbalanced with your hobby. At times, depending on the level of stress in my homeschooling, I’ve needed more time to step back and focus on who I am. Other times, not so much.

Avoiding critical judgments of how others spend their time off from school helps. There is no time to be critical of others when you homeschool positively and care for your mental stress.

SEVEN/The power of 15 minutes.

I mentioned earlier that unless you experienced our homeschool lifestyle it can be hard to appreciate the tips. I know oh so well how at times we just can’t get away from our kids.

When I had that time period in my journey, I had to learn the power of a 15 minute shift in focus.

If your kids are old enough to be left alone or to go to another room for that long, then implement that daily tip.

I set the timer on my stove because it was the loudest and because my boys could run into the room to see how much more time was left. It was an easy timer for them to read.

Of course I explained to my kids they didn’t have come into the room to see the timer and that they would hear it.

Staying in their room was a game in the beginning because they wanted to be near me to see what I was doing. However, the more I did it, the more they enjoyed it and stayed in their room or another room to play.

Also, looking back, I realized I also taught them how to have a pause in their day for relaxed mental time. This world can be extremely stressful and our kids need tips as they grow too.

Whether you decide to lay down and read, bathing (if you can), or just do nothing, you decide. Don’t keep engaging your mental person when it needs rest.

EIGHT/Your spouse or a trusted friend are priceless.

We know that we do a majority of the homeschooling, but if your husband is like mine, he’s interested in how you’re coping.

Don’t shut him out because he may not understand completely.

Just relaying to my husband what I have been dealing with helps me to articulate it orally and I find it refreshing to get it out of my mind.

I’m all for date nights if you can.

One more technique that my husband and I have implemented is although we may not be able to get away from the kids, we make time to talk alone and teach the kids to respect that time.

Time alone with my husband while the kids were present became absolutely necessary as each kid hit the teen years and we had to deal with unique stressful situations.

We had already implemented daily or weekly management of that type of stress.

NINE/Organize it, throw it out, and kick it out.

Another huge mental release for me is being able to clean, organize, or kick clutter to the curb. This is especially good if part of your mental stress toll stems from a cluttered home.

Don’t ignore your need for a more efficient working area.

Homeschooing is about teaching kids how to cope with daily life.

So many homeschooled kids are not taught that taking time to organize is as imperative as doing their school work. Is this because some homeschool families don’t view it as essential?

It’s unbalanced to do a whole workbook of math while kids live in a monumental mess.

Why is being good at math so much more important than being a person that people want to be around as they grow into adults? I would never want to live with anyone that didn’t pick up after himself. I want my kids to be the kind of persons that others can roommate with or live with.

Did I mention they are? If you find that your mental stress comes from a cluttered home, then STOP homeschooling and declutter.

You’re not getting behind on homeschooling when you clean, you’re getting ahead of it.

TEN/ Make time for the little things. Chocolate, chat with a friend, get out of the house, or listen to music.

Lastly, make time for what refreshes you mentally.

Creating time to soothe your mental health needs to be part of daily management of homeschool mental stress.

Whether you find a bit of milk or dark chocolate helps bite by bite, a chat with a close homeschool friend which understands your feelings, getting out of the house, listening to your favorite music, exercising more, or doing like I did one time binge watch a Netflix series, they all count.

Make Daily Stress Management Part of Your Routine

Accepting the fact that I can’t do all I want to do and having daily routines has helped me to cope with negative stress.

Learning how to say no to things I can’t be involved in and recognizing stress triggers like avoiding explosive personalities in my homeschool world helps me to manage too. Some people bring unnecessary stress on themselves and those around them.

Have tips ready at your fingertips for when you need a mental break; your journey should be memorable for the right reasons.

What mental coping techniques do you use?I know you’ll love reading these other ways to empower your sticking ability to homeschool:

Hugs and love ya,

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