Homeschool Mom Encouragement: Favorite Posts from Homeschool Bloggers
There are times when a homeschooling momma’s heart just needs a lift. A gentle whisper that things are going to be okay. Or a loud shout that YOU ARE DOING FINE.
Sometimes we all need a little homeschool mom encouragement, including myself. We all want to hear…
You are not alone, Momma. And you’ve got this!
Homeschool Mom Encouragement
The blog posts below are grouped into some main categories with a short excerpt so you can find one that speaks to you. They are all wonderful and I hope you can find the time to read them all. But even if you pick just one or two, I hope you will find the same gems of encouragement as I did when I read them this year.
1. When You Can’t Get it All Done
Five Ways to Simplify Your Homeschool Schedule by Lynna at Homeschooling Without Training Wheels
“Five students doing five different worksheets on five different topics within one subject is enough to cause any mother to have a nervous breakdown, especially when each worksheet needs to be checked, corrected and checked again.
As much as possible, cover the material you’d like to cover all together as a family. Gather everyone together, read aloud (or watch a video) and talk about what you heard….”
Balance is For the Birds by Cait at My Little Poppies
“This week? This week I was terrible at laundry. Some weeks, I’m a laundry rock star. Other weeks, I’m better at meal planning. Some days, I write a killer blog post. Other days, it seems I’m good at very little.
But, I never feel like I’m rocking all the things at the same time.
Do you know what I think, folks? I think this concept of balance is a nice idea. It’s wonderful to imagine, but in reality, it is impossible. You can try to balance all the things, but – at least in my world- it seems you’re always listing to one side or another.”
How To Do Less and be Happy by Heather at Wellermommablog
We feel the burden of making all our lessons awesome, all our meals convivial, and the house somewhat presentable.
On top of that, we scour the larger world for enrichment, securing tickets to the latest show or event, planning field trips and bringing our best selves to co-op.
And then, as the lesson falls flat or time gets away from us and we forget to book the tickets to the ONLY show the Wild Kratts have east of the Mississippi this whole year, we either crumble into a pile of failed mom bits, sobbing in our bedroom or we do something worse–
We make up our minds to do MORE.
2. When Guilt Attacks
Independence, Mom Guilt, and How to Deal by Amy at The Hmmmschooling Mom.
“But by claiming that “work at home” title, and the reorganization of priorities and time that comes with it, there comes some changes for everyone in the household. My biggest fear? That my kids and their amazing independence is because I’m pushing them away too soon so I can have more time to do my stuff.
I mean, I didn’t stay home to work from home, I stayed home to homeschool. (There is so much ouch in that sentence.) I mean, independence is great. My kids are very independent. And that’s awesome. But it’s almost as if when that independence actually helps me out with something that’s all about me….gawd. The guilt.”
Tackling Mommy Guilt: A Few Strategies by Mary at Not Before 7
“The weekend came and went with a whirlwind of activity. Much like it often does.
Book club and movie night with my daughters on Friday night. Hustling and driving three kids around to sports on Saturday in addition to shopping, errands, and clothing returns. My husband and I also began work on a small porch makeover. Sunday arrived and we attended church and then grabbed some bagels with the kids before I spent the rest of the afternoon organizing my desk, paying bills, planning our school week, and working more on the porch project.
And despite all that we did and all that I accomplished and all of the fun we had, I still felt guilty on Sunday night. I hadn’t done enough. I hadn’t been enough.
Mommy guilt. Guilt over my never-ending failure to do all things in all categories perfectly.”
Returning to the Workforce as a Homeschool Mom by Jen at Practical by Default
“As each day passed, I wallowed in my own self-pity and guilt. I felt like I was abandoning the kids. I came home exhausted, tired and stressed. My patience was thin and I didn’t have the energy to keep up. The hours were low, the pay was minimum and we were scraping by. I kept thinking, “I am giving up my children for this?”
Instead of being thankful my children were safe, that we no longer going in debt, that we were actually paying our bills AND paying off the debt, I was beating myself up for not being there, for being tired out, for not being able to work and do it all like all the other mothers.“
It all came to a head one day last summer…”
3. When You Realize You Can’t Control it All
Confessions of an A-Type Parent by Aurie at Our Good Life
“Yes, I was sure that I would never feed my child sugar, or let them run barefoot in public, or scream during the church service. I firmly believed that a 1-year-old child would be able to sit quietly in a restaurant while waiting for a meal, and the children who screamed for new toys? My oh my – they should be banned from Toys R Us for life.
Yes, I had it all figured out. And then Sophie arrived…..and Bella shortly after…and now we have added Sam to the mix.
I think it’s safe to say that I may have amended my lofty parenting goals. {snort}”
Children, Not Robots by Not Before 7
“…There are moments when my children do something and I think, “Why would you do that?” The answer is often because they are human.
My children forget things. shoes. cameras. even pants one time. seriously – pants.
They get tired. grouchy. weepy. easily annoyed. moody.
The feel hungry at the “wrong” time. After they JUST ATE and the minute we arrive anywhere.
They worry that they forgot something on a trip. They leave things places. They have to stop for a potty break ten minutes after our last stop.”
4. When You Need to Know You Aren’t the Only One
Adulting is Hard by Dachelle and Hide the Chocolate
“Some days I can’t pick up another sock, shoe or pencil off the floor.
Some mornings I can’t stand at the kitchen counter for an hour and a half while someone decides what she may or may not want for breakfast.
Some afternoons I can’t clean up another pee stain from the new puppy.
Some days I just can’t. I can’t “adult.” I can’t parent at my best.
I can’t be the fabulous, loving, understanding, forgiving, got-her-stuff-together mom.”
Screens and Toilet Paper Tubes (On Homeschool Comparing and Worry) by Kara Stephenson. Anderson
“I found myself caught up in comparing again recently.
I didn’t realize I was doing it. I was just feeling kind of bad about things here, I was sick, and I was worried that The Screens were taking over our house, and I started thinking of another homeschool family I know that avoids screens almost completely.
I got jealous.”
5. When the Methods Aren’t Working for You
Changing the Homeschool Culture by Julie Bogart of Brave Writer
“Are you tired of hiding half of what you do (or don’t do!) in order to “fit in” with a specific group of homeschoolers?
Do you feel guilty that you bought into a philosophy and then modified it or adapted it or ditched it? On the other hand, you still want to hang onto the friends you made in that community yet worry what they’ll think of you if they *knew* how things really were in your house?
You can change the homeschool culture. You can be a part of the movement that brings hope, support, and optimism to homeschool.”
Purists are Cranky (And Other Reasons to Stay Open-Minded in Your Homeschool) by Alicia at Learning Well
“We all know them. You know who I’m talking about. Those folks in your homeschool group that are so pure and rigid you’re afraid you’ll say something wrong around them.
Textbooks are bad! Copywork is done daily!
History is taught in chronological order only!
My kids would never read that!!
Purist homeschool philosophers at their finest.
I run from these people.”
6. When You Need to Lighten Up
Live a Little With Yes Day by Cait of My Little Poppies
“The mom in me understands why I was more fun back then. I was younger. My nights were my own and I could sleep uninterrupted. While I loved those kids with all my heart, I was not their mother. I was free of mom worry. I wasn’t managing a household. My mind was not filled with to-do lists. I was not charged with raising those little people into kind, confident, responsible humans.
Of course I was more fun back then!
And I am capable of being pretty fun now, too. Still, the mom in me wishes the nanny-me could stop by and visit every now and again, just to lighten things up and live a little.”
8. When You Need Fresh Homeschooling Ideas
What is Tidal Homeschooling by Melissa Wiley (NOT 2016…but it is just a favorite)
The truth is, I couldn’t find any label that completely fit my family, so I made up my own.
I call us “Tidal Learners” because the ways in which we approach education here change with the tide. Now, this doesn’t mean that we’re flighty or inconsistent, changing direction haphazardly.
We aren’t Fiddler Crab Homeschoolers.
What I mean is that there is a rhythm to the way learning happens here; there are upbeats and downbeats; there is an ebb and flow.
Our New Routine: Morning Basket by Mary at Not Before 7
“A few weeks ago, Julie Bogart shared, “Five tips for a sane morning” on periscope and described her family’s morning routine during the homeschooling years.
Julie’s family often spent up to an hour reading to kick off the day. It sounded blissful, as well as educational.
I could immediately feel the wheels turning in my mind!
I used the extra brain space available during our holiday break to brainstorm what I might keep in my morning basket.
As soon as the holiday break ended, I was ready to kick off our new Morning Basket.”
Why I’ve Flipped Our Homeschool Routine by Nadine at Up Above the Rowan Tree
“So, then what do we do – those of us who need time to fully come alive in the mornings? Those of us who can turn our loved ones to stone with a single glance, if we haven’t fully caffeinated yet? Or what about the kids – the ones who sleep late, and wake up slowly?
Are we DOOMED to never be productive with our days? Are we destined for a homeschool life of exhaustion and bad moods?
No. Homeschooling is about meeting your family where it is, honouring what everyone needs in order to thrive and feel safe. Here’s what I did…”
8. When You Need an Excuse for Me-Time
Why Mama Needs a Hobby by Dawn Garrett at Homeschool Solutions with Pam Barnhill
“It’s such a cliche to say we want to teach our children to be “lifelong learners. Why?
We say it because learning, in and of itself, is worth our time.
A hobby – even if you only spend 10-30 minutes a week – is a way you can continue being a lifelong learner yourself. Whether you take a class (online or in person); or read a book; or practice on your own, your mind and/or your hands and/or your heart spend time learning.
You are that lifelong learner you hope your children will be.”
How Awesome Adulting Impacts Your Homeschool (and Your Whole Life) by Kara Anderson at The Homeschool Sisters Podcast
“I have met moms who have let themselves go.
Now before you think I mean fashion, or eyeliner, what I’m talking about goes so much deeper than that.
I mean moms who have become so passionate about momming; fallen so in love with their babies; moms who are so desperate to do it all right, that they let themselves go.
Who they are. What they like. Their hopes and dreams for what comes after these days of changing diapers, or homeschooling, or raising teens.
I think I recognize this in other moms because it was me.
For many years, I was that mom.”
There you have it, Momma. A few of my favorites from 2016 to encourage your spirit, inspire your homeschool, and assure you that you are not alone in this motherhood and homeschooling gig.
Looking for more great 2016 posts from homeschool bloggers? Check out “My Favorite Posts of 2016” at the iHomeschool Network today.
Want to see more encouragement for Homeschooling Parents on Pinterest? Check out my “For the Homeschool Parent” board and the group board, “For the Homeschool Mom“. You can find all of my Pinterest Boards here.
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She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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Wow. Thanks for including my post, Mary!
Of course! It hit the nail on the head!
This looks amazing. Can’t wait to read them all!
Thanks for sharing this article. I am very interested in learning about the ideas, creativity, encouragement in a homeschool. This is very useful.
This is amazing and so well put. I’ve been diving into learning how to be good at homeschooling, and realize that success to homeschooling does not comes overnight. Thanks for your encouragement!
Thanks Terry!