What happens when you fall out of love with homeschooling? That surge of excitement you got when you opened your first homeschooling catalogue has dulled. You wake up every morning with a routine to complete rather than a day to enjoy. You love your kids dearly but what about a day off..a couple hours off…okay some of us just want a potty break by ourselves. How can you fall back in love with homeschooling?
The first time I felt this way I knew I was going to keep homeschooling. I wasn’t considering quitting but I was depressed. Hoping the next 15+ years of my life were going to be more than just plodding through. I was experiencing burn out. The text book approach I had been taking was taking over our homeschooling. I was no longer in charge steering the family in a learning journey. The text was in the driver’s seat and I felt I was a failure unless I covered every single lesson.
***When did you ever finish a whole text book in school? Keep in mind the beginning of every new text spends several weeks reviewing. You will cover that material. Stop sweating it!***
My lovely hubby stepped in and asked what bothered me the most. I wanted to stop and dwell on subjects the kids loved. Work slowly on subjects the kids needed more time to understand. We are a science heavy family and I wanted to spend a whole year getting to know biology rather than follow the material we had that gave biology about 2 months.
A veteran homeschoooler asked me, “who does it hurt to teach a kindergartner about magnetism? What they don’t understand you will cover later, probably several times before they are done schooling.” hmmm She was absolutely right.
I calmed down refocused on what MY family wanted and needed homeschooling to look like. I began enjoying homeschooling again.
Loneliness can also draw the pleasure out of homeschooling. You need adult talk, a friend to chat with over coffee, and a place where you aren’t judged just accepted. My lovely hubby helps with that. Then when I get a chance I call my BFF and chat her ear off. Even with that I really needed to talk to other homeschooling moms.
I started by going to the local support group. It was okay but their problems were not the same. The year I went to several support groups they were talking acceleration, testing and graduation. I was talking specialist appointments, potty training an older child, and making it through the day after having to wake up and give breathing treatments every couple of hours. There was a chasm between what I was experiencing and what they were.
Two years ago I started a support group for Special Needs Homeschoolers. What a God send! These parents may not be walking the exact path we are but there was understanding. There is mutual support that I find a life line when times are tough. I really enjoy our meetings. If you can’t find a support group in your area that deals with special needs than consider making one!
***5 Tips to Start a Great Support Group***
Finding ways to fight loneliness has renewed my love of homeschooling.
Another thing that homeschooling moms rarely hear. ((((APPLAUSE))))
What a great job you are doing! You have taken on the full responsibility of parenting and teaching your child. You are commended for stepping up to do what is best for your child. Homeschooling is not easy. Your love for homeschooling will wax and wane. When you find things are dull and the idea of searching for a new topic to learn with your kids is a burden. Stop. Try to pinpoint what is the problem and deal with it head on. Better to face a problem than to ignore it until it begins affecting your family relations.
I hope you find yourself falling back in love with homeschooling! Ready to face a new day, and enjoy!
The solution for the textbook dilemma for me was to avoid them (except for math)! I continue to learn side by side with my daughter as I get to share old favorites with her and read new ones with her. I have learned so much through books and things and art and music and songs. I never know what rabbit trail we will hit when I wake up in the morning . . .
I know what you mean about not getting support from homeschool groups. I when to one in my early days of homeschooling and did not feel supported because my children struggled with learning. They even implied that it was my fault. I left. I had never though about starting a group for special needs. Good for you. I am glad that you have found support.
I needed this! This has been an issue that I has been burdening me for months. I homeschool two daughters with learning delays (one also with emotional)… some of the days are SOOO LONG. But, at the same time, we are blessed! So nice to meet you on the #hsttd last night.