Ack! How to Homeschool & Keep Your Cool

4/4/2020

So are you stuck at home and "homeschooling" your kids now? What's your biggest challenge?
With COVID-19 keeping everyone home, parents with kids are asking homeschooling moms like me HOW DO YOU DO THIS?!

Yesterday I responded to a post where someone asked me, "How do you manage to stay calm and patient when you are with your kids all day long, answering their needs, their screams, and their loving attention-seeking chatter?"

Well, as I have homeschooled for most of the last eight years, my kids and I are used to being together All. The. Time. That doesn't mean we always get along - but there are tricks.

Here is what I have to offer to those of you who are new to this.

First: NOTE-> YOU WILL HAVE REALLY BAD DAYS WHERE YOU ARE TERRIBLE AT EMOTIONALLY REGULATING YOURSELF! It's normal, okay? Thankfully, you'll also have really good days that more than make up for it. So when it's bad, trust me, just surrender to it! Cuddle. Play. Make art. Do what it takes to make and keep the peace and try your "to-do" list again tomorrow.

Second, here have been some of my best strategies:

1) I wake up 1.5 hour earlier than everyone else... even if I’m tired. This quiet time is so essential for prayer, self-care and getting organized for the day. Even though I may get less sleep, it actually helps me to be more efficient during the day and thus saves me energy in the long run.

2) We get outside every day... even if it takes an hour to get everyone out the door, that’s an hour less of struggling with quarrels and no matter how much complaining there is, everyone feels better after.

3) Audiobooks and colouring papers. I prep my meals or clean nearby while the kids colour.

4) Absolutely carve out some me-time at least once every three days where you can get away from your “job” as a parent. Plan it and guard it with the tenacity of a bull terrier. Don’t let it go. It feeds/nourishes you and therefore your family.

5) Music. Dance with your kids or by yourself (in the kitchen!), but I find good tunes always help transport me to a better state of mind ❤️

These are the most helpful strategies I’ve learned over the years. Have you found some of your own? Jot them down in the comments below for others to see.

Oh, and just know every one is struggling to stay sane, even your kids. 🤪 If you are losing your grip, they are - or will - too.

Accept your productivity is going to take a hit while they are home, and find the silver linings that actually make this time special. You or your kids are never going to forget COVID19, so what do you want them to remember about their time at home with you?

1 Comment

Amoree Briggs

4/4/2020 22:43:02

DO NOT expect they will sit down happily and fill out worksheets on demand!! Just plan on having fun first, and fill in the educational stuff afterwards. Make a good base of fun as your homeschool to start off (ie. games, research their interests, laugh, read out loud, etc.). If you get going on the wrong foot, it will likely take a while to get out of that funk! I have done exactly that more than I want to admit.
Also boys want to be more hands-on and will likely hate worksheets even more! Do math with lego and blocks, build things together, do kitchen experiments, dress up as if you are in Ancient Rome, or build something out of wood. Have that fun together so your kid(s) think homeschool is really fun and cool. Then work in the writing and more technical stuff later, a little at a time (or not at all!!).

Author

Hi, I'm Katanne - Nutritionist and Gut Health Specialist. My talent and passion is helping busy people like you to finally enjoy food and life again!! By resolving painful and annoying digestive issues, we then have energy and enthusiam for our life!
As a busy, do-too-much, everyone-else-comes-first type of person, I learned the hard way that this kind of stress compromises both gut and health. It took ten years to perfect a healing approach that is less about food and more about how we manage our stress.... stress that impacts our digestion, and stress that we over-doers tend to bring on ourselves. We all need efficient and effective solutions that we can integrate today, so here are some simple tips of what to eat and do to bring enjoyment back to your eating and living!

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Katanne Belisle RHN
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